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 Child Development

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 complete the associate degree, including:

Core and support courses for the major (49 units total)

Completion of one of the following general education patterns:

Foothill College General Education

Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)**

Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)**

Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)***

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

** Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.

*** Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. Please see a counselor for more information.

Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.

 

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 2025-2026 Degrees & Certificates.

Based on the 2025 - 2026 degree program.