Child Development
Certificate Technical Degree
A strong early foundation can give children the confidence and skills that will support them throughout their lives. San Jac’s child development program will train you to provide high-quality care in child care centers, preschools, and more.
Program at a Glance
Career Opportunities
- Teaching
- Directing or owning an early childhood program
- Teaching in a family day home setting
- Becoming a nanny
- Working at a children’s museum
Earning Potential
- Childcare Workers: $27,883
- Teachers Assistant: $22,046
- Substitute Teacher: $31,472
- Preschool teacher: $34,321
- Education administrator, preschool, and childcare: $77,478
For more salary information, check out Texas Wages.
Locations
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES
Child Development Associate Training for Director, Occupational Certificate
Certificate
3 Months
Child Development/Early Childhood Education, AAS
Technical Degree
2 Years
This degree is also offered online.
Child Development/Early Childhood Education, Certificate of Technology
Certificate
1.5 Years
Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Applied Science
Technical Degree
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Education degree prepares you to work with children from six weeks through third grade. Graduates will also be eligible to work in an early childhood organization, such as Head Start. They can also apply for teacher certification to teach preschool through third grade in public schools.
4 years
This degree is also offered online.
Educational Aide, Certificate of Technology
Certificate
1.5 Years
Educational Aide, Occupational Certificate
Certificate
3 Months
CAREER TRACKS
The content below shows a flowchart of the career tracks.
Play Video
Accreditation
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Development
at San Jacinto College-Central is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation
of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC). The accreditation term runs from March 2021 through March
2025.
The Three Components of our Program
The conceptual framework of the San Jacinto College Child Development and Education
department consists of three components:
- Professionalism
- Knowledge and skills
- Community partnerships.
Program Outcomes and Learning Objectives
Information regarding our program outcomes and learning objectives can be found
here.
- Spring 2024 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Fall 2023 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Spring 2023 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Fall 2022 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Spring 2022 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Fall 2021 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Spring 2021 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
- Fall 2020 Program Outcomes Assessment Guide
From Naptime to Graduation
Earn a Teaching Degree or Certificate
Not interested in Child Development? No problem — you can still help shape and motivate
the next generation. Make your way towards a Texas teaching certification by earning
an A.A.T. in one of two tracks: Early Childhood - 6th Grade, or 7th-12th Grade.
From student to teacher: Alumna gives back
As a student, Kazzandra Sanchez always considered school a safe space. Today, her
bilingual pre-K classroom at Pasadena Independent School District offers the same
for a new generation.
I have to be very specific with these kids, working with their fine motor skills.
Teaching these skills is a big transformation. They’re so sweet at this age, not afraid
to be themselves. They get really excited about things like weather, snow, and music.
It’s magical.”
San Jac Alumna
Kazzandra’s first job as a middle school reading teacher with Pasadena ISD helped her realize she preferred working with much younger students. She transferred to kindergarten and was soon moved to pre-K, where she has been since September 2023.
“I really love how challenging pre-K is, and I think I’ll probably be here for a while,” Kazzandra said.
