Program Information
Do you have a passion for shaping the future? Do you desire to inspire the youth around you because of your passion? If so, San Jacinto College’s Child Development program is designed for students like you who want to have a profound, positive effect on society through our children. Our program offers the knowledge and technical skills you need to enter the child development profession and serves as a launching pad to a four-year bachelor’s degree program in education. Are you ready for the future?
San Jacinto College designed the Child Development/Early Childhood Studies program to develop basic skills, attitudes, and competencies necessary for personnel to provide high-quality care in a variety of early childhood programs.
Career Opportunities
Students who receive an Occupational Certificate (OC) in Educational Aide pursue careers in:
- Teaching as an assistant in an Independent School District (ISD),
- Teaching in an early childhood setting,
- Teaching in a family day home setting,
- Teaching in a church-related program or government facilities,
- Working at a children’s museum, and
- Serving as a Professional Development Specialist for the Child Development Council.
Earning Potential
Childcare Worker: $25,6651
Teaching Assistant: $28,4151
- 1
Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2022
For more information, students may contact Central campus, 281-476-1867; or North campus, 281-459-7635.
Campuses
Central Campus
North Campus
San Jac Online
The College designed the Child Development/Early Childhood - Educational Aide Occupational Certificate and Certificate of Technology to provide educational training for persons interested in teaching young children in child care centers and/or teaching K-12 in an Independent School District (ISD). Upon successful completion of the 16 semester credit hours, the student will be awarded the Occupational Certificate and will be eligible to apply for the Educational Aide - Level I Certificate through the Texas Education Agency and apply to earn the Child Development Associate Credential through the National Professional Council. Students who complete the Educational Aide Certificate of Technology with 31 semester credit hours will be eligible to apply for the Child Development Associate Credential through the National Professional Council and apply for up to a Educational Aide - Level II Certificate through the Texas Education Agency.
Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.
CDEC and TECA Student
The 80th Texas Legislature passed a law, Senate Bill 758, that as of September 1, 2007, requires a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check for anyone who is currently required to have a background check in a child care center. This includes any person(s), including volunteers, who are counted in the child/caregiver ratio. Child care center employees/volunteers will have to have the background fingerprints once every two (2) years. Similar legislation, Senate Bill 9, passed setting 2011 as the deadline for public school districts to be in compliance. FBI fingerprinting allows the state to check an individual’s criminal record in 50 states, rather than just checking for a record within the state of Texas, which is all that the current system allows. Additionally, it addresses concerns with individuals using fake names and social security numbers.
No CEDC or TECA student can be in any one location more than two (2) days a month, in which case they would not be a “frequent” in-contact person in the classroom. Our experience indicates that the area school districts are implementing criminal background checks in a variety of ways. A fee is required but may vary depending upon the center, program, and school district. Based upon this information, it is the student’s responsibility as a future teacher of children in the state of Texas to understand and comply with the requirements of each institution in which they may observe and/or intern.
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, 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 Department Chair.
Plan of Study
6CHID-EDAD
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CDEC 1470 | Educational Aide Associate | 4 |
| CDEC 1317 | Child Development Associate Training I | 3 |
| CDEC 2322 | Child Development Associate Training II | 3 |
| CDEC 2324 | Child Development Associate Training III | 3 |
| TECA 1311 | Educating Young Children | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Capstone Experience: CDEC 2324 Child Development Associate Training III
Upon completion of this certificate, students will be eligible to apply for an Educational Aide - Level I certificate through the Texas Education Agency and apply to earn the Child Development Associate Credential through the National Professional Council.