Program Details

Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development Special Needs

Career Studies Certificate

Mountain Empire Community College

The Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in Special Needs allows individuals working in early childhood development and K-6 educators to gain valuable strategies for educating a special (and growing) population of under served students. Students will learn to better understand children with special needs, including individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and will learn how to design curricula to be more accessible to all children. A comprehensive internship is included wherein students will gain hands-on experience working in special needs programs.
Completers of this CSC can sit for the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) credential exam. IBCCES is a leading provider of specialized credentials in the fields of cognitive disorders and neurodivergences. The Autism Certificate requires at least 14 hours of continuing education credits relating to autism. MECC’s program will provide those credit hours, after which students may elect to take the online Autism Certificate Competency Exam. Please note there is an exam fee charged by IBCCES that is not affiliated with MECC. Upon passing the exam, students will receive a certification number, a printed certificate, a wallet ID card, a digital badge, and the student will be listed in the International Registry as an Autism Certificate holder. The IBCCES certification, while valued by employers, is not required by MECC and will not impact completion of MECC’s degree.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
1. Identify and refer children in need of further evaluation by a licensed professional for possible diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
2. Develop plans for addressing a child’s special needs in the classroom or caretaking arrangement.
3. Utilize effective behavior management techniques.
4. Build accessible, inclusive environments for all children.

Program Overview & Guidance

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
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 Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in Special Needs allows individuals working in early childhood development and K-6 educators to gain valuable strategies for educating a special (and growing) population of under served students. Students will learn to better understand children with special needs, including individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and will learn how to design curricula to be more accessible to all children. A comprehensive internship is included wherein students will gain hands-on experience working in special needs programs.
Doing More With Your Degree	Completion of this program opens a variety of doors, including possible careers as behavioral therapists at local organizations such as Blue Mountain Therapy. Current educators will also improve their skills and overall employability through the creation of more accessible classroom environments. Speak with an advisor to learn how to transition this certificate into a transfer degree for K-6 special education teachers.
Program Successes & Highlights

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.

Requirements

Required Credits

Career Studies Certificate in Early Childhood Development Special Needs

Course Requirements for 221-636-11

Core Requirements for 221-636-11

CHD 210

Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:

CHD 290

Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:

EDU 270

Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:

EDU 271

Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:

HLT 105

Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:

CHD 164

Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:

Residency

Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 12 credits may be applied to this program.

Plan GPA for 221-636-11

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	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

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

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 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
Laurel Ridge Community College	Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development	Associate	Associate of Applied Science	2-Year	In-Person, Online, 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

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

Residence State

Delivery Mode

Service Member?

Service Status *

Branch

GI Bill (for Spouses/Dependants)

Disability Discharge

Residence City

Hours to Complete Degree *

Minimum Term of Active Duty

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 Special Needs 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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