Online Degrees & Certificates

AA Child Development

Program Description

The Child Development Program is an academic and vocational training program that prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood settings. Courses and certificates are designed to meet entry-level requirements for the level of work chosen and/or meet the requirements needed to obtain a California Child Development Permit to become an Assistant Teacher, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher and/or Site Supervisor in state-licensed, publicly funded, center-based child care and development programs. Students planning to transfer to a four-year university as a child development or related major may be able to apply some child development units toward the lower division major preparation requirements or qualify for the AS-T in Early Childhood Education. Please see a Foothill counselor for more information.

Learn more about the program on the Child Development and Education website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the needs and characteristics of children from birth through middle childhood, and the multiple influences on their development as related to the high-quality care and education of young children.

Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen knowledge and commitment to the field of early care and education as related to National Association for the education of young children Code of ethical Conduct.

Career Opportunities

The Child Development program is an academic and vocational training program which prepares students for future work as early childhood educators in diverse early childhood settings. Coursework and certificates meet professional requirements for work in early childhood programs. Students wishing to pursue careers in related fields such as human development, child psychology, social work, and primary education should see a counselor to determine the transfer requirements of specific four-year universities.

Award Type(s)

AA = Associate in Arts Degree

Units Required

Major: 49

Online Courses for Accounting

The courses listed BELOW are offered as online courses at least once every two years. Please see the Class Schedule for verification.

• For a complete listing of online courses offered during the current quarter, visit Online Course Information.
• If you need any additional degree information or confirmation, please contact the Counseling Division.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an associate degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Associate Degree Requirements

A minimum of 90 units is required* to include:

Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)

Core Courses (43 units)

Support courses (6 units)

*Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.

Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. Coursework that applies to permits or licenses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

Core and Support Courses

Core Courses

Support Courses (6 units)

Select at least Six units from the following:

Note that this is a list of fully online courses that satisfy degree requirements.

For a list of on-campus courses that satisfy degree requirements, please visit  Child Development 2023-2024 Degrees & Certificates.

Based on the 2023 - 2024 degree program.