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Career/Program Overview

RCTC’s Child Development major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive, basic curriculum needed to work in careers with children from infancy to twelve years of age in a variety of settings.  Opportunities to gain necessary child care skills and competencies are provided by way of observation and practical experience in a well-equipped, on-site child development center for children ages 2 – 5, as well as classroom lecture/labs and practical experiences in community-based care facilities and programs for children from infancy through school-age.  Visit us at http://www.rctc.edu/program/cd/

Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Depending on which degree option selected, coursework may include Foundation of Child Development, Child Safety, Health and Nutrition, Guidance: Managing the Physical/Social Environment, Family & Community Relations, Professional Relations in Early Childhood Careers, Planning & Implementing Curriculum, Creative Development Experiences, Children with Difficult Behaviors, or Inclusion:  Special Needs & Mixed Age Groups. For more detailed program information, refer to RCTC’s program course requirements at  http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/programs/index.html.

Program/Degree Options

RCTC’s Child Development program offers three different program/degree options.  The certificate program is 17 credits and prepares students for assistant teacher or paraprofessional positions.  Students graduating from this certificate program meet the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) requirement for assistant teachers in child care centers.  In addition to the certificate requirements, DHS Rule 3 requires 2080 hours of work experience as a supervised aide or volunteer in order to be hired as an assistant teacher. 

RCTC also offers a 34-credit diploma option and an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.  If taken on a full-time basis, the diploma program can be completed in as little as one year and the A.A.S. degree within two years. 

Program Start Date(s)

Child Development coursework can be taken any fall or spring semester.  Depending on which degree option selected – students may need to start fall semester in order to complete the degree option in one or two semesters. 

Career Opportunities/Information

Upon graduation students will be directly involved with the guidance and provision of educational/creative experiences appropriate to nursery schools, special education programs, Head Start, as a paraprofessional in elementary schools, or as a provider of in-home care (nanny) or as a licensed family child care provider.  A child development assistant also works directly with other trained staff and/or parents.  Graduates of the program may seek further education to earn a degree in early childhood education or take further courses to improve their earning potential and job position.

Articulations/Accreditations

Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission:  A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For additional information on the most current list of RCTC program articulations see us at: http://www.rctc.edu/catalog/articulations/index.html