The Child Development program provides three options for students wishing to pursue a career working with young children from birth to age 8.
Students can complete courses for an associate degree to prepare for transfer to a four-year college or university and entry-level career opportunities. Students who do not intend to transfer or who may be taking courses part-time, may opt to pursue courses for either a 10-credit Academic Certificate in the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Preparation program (covers all the coursework for the National CDA Credential) or the 21-credit Academic Certificate in Child Development.
The first Academic Certificate program prepares students to apply for a Child Development Associate Credential, a non-degree national credential. The second Academic Certificate is a state-approved certificate in Child Development and is recognized by both IdahoSTARS Professional Development System and Head Start as a credential when applying for entry-level employment in the field of Child Development. Nine of the 10 credits from the first Academic Certificate apply directly to the 21 credits needed for the second Academic Certificate in Child Development. All 21 of the credits of this Academic Certificate apply to the associate degree in Child Development.
Course selection should be tailored to match requirements as defined by transfer institutions. To ensure appropriate courses are taken for transfer to a baccalaureate program, students should meet with an NIC Child Development advisor upon acceptance in the college.
Child Development Instructors at NIC - click on name below to see faculty information and their class and office schedule: