Overview
- Delivery: Daytime, Evening and Online Classes
- Start: Fall or Spring Semester, Full- or Part-Time
- Location: Rosemount Campus
Outcomes
- Child Life Assistant — A.A.S. Degree 60 credits
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — A.S. Degree 60 credits
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — A.A.S. Degree 60 credits
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — Diploma 33 credits
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — Certificate 18 credits
- National CDA Training Program — Certificate 12 credits
Gainful Employment Reports
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — Diploma 33 credits
- Early Childhood and Youth Development — Certificate 18 credits
Early Childhood and Youth Development Blog
View regular blog posts by your instructor or program department on industry news, announcements, events, recent projects, success tips, and other material such as photos or video.
Major Description
There is a wide variety of career opportunities for working in the field of Early Childhood and Youth Development. These professions are projected to increase.
Early Childhood and Youth Development AS/AAS Degree: This program prepares students for employment in a variety of early childhood and youth settings. Courses meet Minnesota Department of Human Services educational requirements for assistant teachers and teachers in a child care setting. Students learn about child development, guidance, professional relationships, nutrition, health and safety, cultural sensitivity and techniques for promoting learning in young children. This program is available in the classroom and many courses are also available online. Additionally, it links with a selection of four-year colleges for completion of advanced degrees.
Child Life Assistant AAS Degree: This program delivers knowledge and skills necessary for working with children in hospitalized settings or with health care needs. Child life assistants are part of the team responsible for supporting children and families through health care experiences and helping them effectively cope by using developmental play and normalized activities in their environment. This program is available in the classroom and many courses are also available online. Additionally, it links with a selection of four-year colleges for bachelor’s degree completion.
Early Childhood and Youth Development Diploma: This program prepares individuals who would like to work in a child care center or preschool as a lead teacher or in a family child care program. This program is available in the classroom and many courses are also available online.
Early Childhood and Youth Development Certificate: This program prepares individuals for work in a child care center or preschool as an assistant teacher or in a family child care program. This program is available in the classroom and online.
National Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program: This certificate provides knowledge of learning environments, principles of child development and behavior, working with families, child health and safety, and professionalism. It fulfills the training requirement for the National CDA credential. This certificate is available online.
Work Environment
Early Childhood and Youth Development professionals work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children/youth, and special-needs children in homes, schools, and community centers. Other career options include child advocacy and social service. Child Life Assistants may work in clinical and non-clinical settings with young children or youth who have special health needs.
Potential Job Titles
- Preschool Teacher
- Child Care Worker
- Family Day Care Provider
- Nanny
- School District Paraprofessional
- Child Life Assistant
Salary Data
- Child Care
Average Wage: $10.07/hour
Top Earners: $13.39/hour - Preschool Teacher
Average Wage: $15.44/hour
Top Earners: $22.40/hour - Child Life Assistant
Average Wage: $14/hour
Top Earners: $20/hour
Academic Advisor
- Chris Yang
Academic Advisor
Instructors
| Dawn Braa | 651-423-8315 | dawn.braa@dctc.edu | BIO |
