The Child Development Program prepares students for employment in the field of early care and education and provides them with the skills and knowledge to work effectively with young children and families. The program focuses on the provision and management of child care services and prepares individuals to plan, design, and manage child care facilities and programs that meet children's developmental needs and interests and provide safe and healthy environ­ments.

Students may pursue the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Child Development or a Child Development Short Certificate.  Both programs allow students to develop a broad base of com­petencies that will prepare them to guide experiences of children from birth through early child­hood. The Child Development Short Certificate is designed to prepare students to enter the field of early care and education and may be an intermediate step for those working toward a degree. Child Development courses may also be used to fulfill the educational requirements of individu­als who wish to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.

Financial aid is available through a variety of programs including the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Alabama Scholarship Program, the Leadership in Childcare (LICC) Scholarship Program, and other pro­grams designed to assist child care providers with educational expenses. For more information, interest­ed persons may contact the Financial Aid Office or the Child Development Instructor.