Child Development, Associate Training for Director, Occupational Certificate

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Where Passion for Children Becomes a Profession

San Jacinto College’s Early Childhood Education and Child Development pathway prepares students to work with young children while offering clear opportunities for career advancement. This fully stackable pathway allows students to enter the workforce quickly, build leadership skills, and continue seamlessly into a bachelor’s degree.

Students gain foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in early learning environments such as childcare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, community organizations, and public schools. Programs begin with certificates and occupational credentials that support immediate employment and stack into the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Child Development.

The AAS transfers directly into San Jacinto College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, preparing graduates to work with children from six weeks through third grade and pursue teacher certification. Graduates are prepared for roles as early childhood educators, program leaders, and directors serving children and families.

Career Opportunities and Income

Visit sanjac.edu for information regarding career opportunities and potential earnings in the Greater Houston region.

Job Entry Requirements. The College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the program’s department chair. This is in accordance with Texas House Bill 1508 amendments to Texas Occupations Code Sec 53.152.

21+ years, HS/GED, and a combination of education and experience as outlined above; annual training required.

Learning & Career Pathway

The learning pathway for this career track has a series of related and “stacked” certificates and degrees. You may start at any point on the pathway and earn the certificates on your way to completing the degree.

Career Skills and Learning Outcomes

A student completing the last award in the pathway will be able to:

  • Use developmentally appropriate practices to support children's learning.
  • Interpret observations and assessments to plan and implement child centered curriculum.
  • Communicate effectively with children, families, co-workers, and the community.
  • Exhibit ethical behavior and professional responsibilities as required by the field of early childhood.
  • Utilize technology to manage professional responsibilities.
  • Create an equitable environment inclusive of all children, families, colleagues, and community.
  • Implement knowledge of regulatory agencies that govern early childhood programs.

External Learning Experiences

Programs with external learning experiences (e.g., clinicals, practicums, externships, cooperative education) require students to follow the immunization policies of partner sites. These requirements are determined by the facilities, not San Jacinto College. Students who do not meet site-specific requirements may be unable to complete the program or may face delays in graduation. Immunization exemption requests must be made directly with the clinical or external learning site.

Field Experiences in CDEC/TECA Courses

  • CDEC 2366 Practicum: Required in the second year, first term.
  • CDEC and TECA Courses: Courses such as TECA 1303, TECA 1311, TECA 1318, and TECA 1354 include mandatory field experience.

Field experiences consist of scheduled observation hours at one of the following:

  1. A licensed early childhood setting
  2. The San Jacinto College Central Campus Child Development Lab School (NAEYC Accredited)
  3. The Bezos Academy (North Campus)

Locations

College Admissions

San Jacinto College is an open admission institution. All students are welcome to apply and will be admitted to the College. You may begin the process on the College’s “How to Apply” webpage.

Program Admission

In addition to being admitted to the College, students must also be admitted to the Child Development program which has additional requirements and/or steps.   

Background Check and Fingerprinting Requirements

Texas law requires background checks and FBI fingerprinting for individuals working or volunteering in childcare centers or public schools:

  • Senate Bill 758 (2007): Mandates an FBI fingerprint check for anyone required to undergo a background check in a childcare center, including volunteers counted in child-to-caregiver ratios. Fingerprinting must be renewed every two years.
  • Senate Bill 9 (2011): Extends this requirement to all public-school districts. FBI fingerprinting checks records across all 50 states and helps prevent the use of false identities.

Program Participation: San Jacinto College CDEC and TECA students may not be placed at one location more than two days per month to avoid “frequent contact” status. School districts and childcare centers vary in how they conduct background checks. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of each placement site. Fees may apply and differ by institution.

Plan of Study

6CHID-DIR

Plan of Study Grid
First TermCredits
CDEC 1317 Child Development Associate Training I 3
CDEC 2322 Child Development Associate Training II 3
CDEC 2324 Child Development Associate Training III 3
CDEC 2326 Administration of Programs for Children I 3
CDEC 1319 Child Guidance 3
TECA 1311 Educating Young Children 3
 Credits18
 Total Credits18

Capstone Experience: CDEC 2326 Administration of Programs for Children I