Community colleges offer associate's degrees with a concentration in child development and education. Complete an application for admittance. Some colleges have an open admission policy, which means course work is open to all eligible students. You must obtain a high school degree or equivalent to be eligible to further your education. A personal interview may be required for admittance into the child development program. Criteria for admissions varies by school. Contact the admissions office for specific requirements.
Coursework can be completed in a classroom setting or online. Sixty-three credit hours of coursework is required for an associate's degree in child development. Approximately 15 hours of general studies, including humanities, mathematics and your choice of human growth and development, English composition or general psychology, are required. An additional 33 hours of professional curriculum is required. Microcomputer applications, child growth and development, child psychology, observing and recording child behavior, supervised student participation and introduction to early child education are necessary for the professional curriculum credits required. Six credit hours of elective study in infant and toddler care, overview of child curriculum or program development in early child care are required. An additional 15 credit hours of professional electives are necessary to complete your degree. You can select from numerous course including, introduction to education, teaching a diverse population, and child care and education legal and financial issues. Specific course titles and curriculum will vary by school.
Completion of all necessary coursework outlined in the specified degree program is required for graduation. Coursework may vary, but will include a combination of general study classes and core classes. A grade point average of 2.0 or above is required for graduation. You must earn at least a "C" in all classes used to satisfy the general education requirements.
Continuing education is required by the Florida Department of Child and Families to maintain your director or day care worker credentials. Classes on introductory child care training, early literacy and language development, and annual inservice training can be arranged through the department. All training must be completed within one year of the start of training.