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Program Details
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Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development

Career Studies Certificate
Mountain Empire Community College

This program is designed as an introduction to the field. The curriculum is designed to provide entry-level competencies documented by Virginia’s Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. These competencies include health, safety and nutrition, understanding child growth and development, appropriate child observation and assessment, partnering with families and community, learning environment, effective interactions, program management, teacher qualifications and professional development curriculum. Additionally, this program provides the necessary CPR training for young children desired by many employment agencies.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Recognize the stages of early childhood development.
2. Utilize the arts and other creative developmentally appropriate activities for young children.
3. Use developmentally appropriate practices to plan activities to stimulate the logical thinking skills in children
4. Create positive ways to build self-esteem in children and to help them develop self-control.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
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External Link
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 This program is designed as an introduction to the field.  The curriculum is designed to provide entry-level competencies documented by Virginia’s Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. These competencies include health, safety and nutrition, understanding child growth and development, appropriate child observation and assessment, partnering with families and community, learning environment, effective interactions, program management, teacher qualifications and professional development curriculum.  Additionally, this program provides the necessary CPR training for young children desired by many employment agencies.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

The Code of Virginia restricts who may legally provide child care in Virginia. Most agencies require a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police Department and a child abuse or neglect check through the Virginia Department of Social Services before employment involving contact with young children. In addition, some child care facilities and schools may require proof of specific vaccinations and health related tests for students to complete their supervised workplace experiences.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Mountain Empire Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses The Code of Virginia restricts who may legally provide child care in Virginia. Most agencies require a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police Department and a child abuse or neglect check through the Virginia Department of Social Services before employment involving contact with young children. In addition, some child care facilities and schools may require proof of specific vaccinations and health related tests for students to complete their supervised workplace experiences.
Doing More With Your Degree Upon completion of the Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate graduates possess the knowledge and skills required for entry into Early Childhood Educational facilities such as, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, family day care homes, and preschool programs. Graduates will also be equipped to apply for a minimum of two Early Childhood Endorsements from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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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.

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.
Requirements
Required Credits
Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
16
Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development
16
Course Requirements for 221-636-04
16
Core Requirements for 221-636-04
16
CHD 120
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 135
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 166
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 165
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 205
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 105
1
Earn 1 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.
Plan GPA for 221-636-04
16
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School The transfer education program, which includes freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences and pre-professional education, allows students to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs and four-year colleges and universities.
Credit for Prior Learning VCCS Policy 5.6.5.1
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Mountain Empire Community College
College Level Information
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Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Mountain Empire Community College’s mission is to provide our region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
Transfer Student Catalog Year
First Year Student Catalog Year The catalog year is based on the admission term that the student applies for.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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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.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Central Virginia Community CollegeAAS in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood EducationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Eastern Shore Community CollegeEarly Childhood Education, AASAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEarly Childhood Development, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
39-9011.00Childcare WorkersAttend 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
39-9011.01NanniesCare 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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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 16 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development at Mountain Empire Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 1 semesters or 0.5 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $167 Per Credit $2,672 $0 $2,672
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
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