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Program Details
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Career Studies Certificate
Laurel Ridge Community College
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Program Details
Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
Career Studies CertificateCareer Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
Laurel Ridge Community College
This program is designed for people who seek employment in a child care setting. It also provides professional development for people currently employed in child care.
Program Overview & Guidance

Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | Designed to prepare students for working in an early childhood development setting. Possible occupations for graduates include instructional assistants or preschool and childcare workers. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | This program is G3 eligible. IN-DEMAND credentials and education programs that are eligible for more funding than ever before through the G3 Scholarship. Some courses require an observation in a child care setting. Background checks, fingerprints, and TB screens may be required at the students expense. |
Doing More With Your Degree | Students may go on to complete an Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and from there may pursue a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Virginia Department of Education Tearch Certification Pre-K-3rd. |
Program Successes & Highlights | This program is exclusively available online. |
Related Programs & Certifications

On Completion You Are Ready For
Credential
Link
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.
The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio
and the requirements for the selected program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
16
Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
16
Course Grad Req 221-636-06 (2024-25 Catalog)
16
1st Semester Requirements
10
Student Development Requirement
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CHD 120 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 145 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 205 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
2nd Semester Requirements
6
CHD 165 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EDU 235 Requirement
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Residency
16
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 12 credits may be applied to this program.
GPA
16
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students transferring to Laurel Ridge with an Associate Degree or higher already completed will be able to transfer in applicable credits to their degree and will have SDV 100 waived. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Laurel Ridge does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | https://laurelridge.edu/credit-for-prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
|
College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market. We offer many courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. Our student life team offers many ways for students to get involved including clubs, activities, and volunteer opportunities. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | The catalog year in effect at the time a student was formally admitted into their curriculum at Laurel Ridge. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog placement is tied to semester start selected in the application. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://laurelridge.edu/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this
program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your
current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can
complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program
page.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.
Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
39-9011.00 | Childcare Workers | Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play. | Personal Care and Service Occupations |
39-9011.01 | Nannies | Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation. | Personal Care and Service Occupations |
Cost To Complete

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