Child Development & Education
Gain the knowledge and experience to teach and nurture the healthy development of children, families, and their communities through careers in early learning, teaching, and child development.
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Programs
Goal
Career or TransferLength
2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Online
Associate Degree in Liberal Studies
This program provides the lower-division pathway for students planning to transfer to CSU, Chico’s BA in Liberal Studies. Students intending to transfer to a different CSU should instead follow the AA-T Elementary Teacher Education pathway. Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary major that includes coursework in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, arts, language, and sciences, offering a well-rounded education that prepares students for careers as elementary school teachers or for other interdisciplinary fields. An accelerated option, the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP), allows students to complete the AA in Liberal Studies, the BA in Liberal Studies, and a teaching credential in four years through concurrent enrollment at Butte and CSU, Chico, with the possibility of summer coursework.
Associate Degree Liberal Studies: Bilingual Pattern
This program is the lower-division pathway for students planning to transfer to CSU, Chico’s BA in Liberal Studies. Students intending to transfer to a different CSU should instead follow the AA-T Elementary Teacher Education pathway. The Liberal Studies pathway is an interdisciplinary major with courses in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, arts, language, and sciences, providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for careers as elementary school teachers, including a bilingual option.
Flexibility
You'll need to split your time between Main Campus and at least one other location to finish this degree, since no single campus reliably offers all the required courses. Main Campus has the strongest coverage, but you'll want to plan on taking some courses Online or at the Chico Center to fill in the gaps. A counselor can help you map out a schedule that works with your availability.
Goal
Career or TransferLength
1-2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Chico/Skyway Center
- Online
Associate Degree for Transfer in Early Childhood Education
The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree is designed for students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at a California State University (CSU) campus. This degree guarantees admission to the CSU system, though not to a specific campus or major. Students transferring to a CSU that accepts this degree will need no more than 60 additional units to complete their bachelor’s degree. Counselors can help students identify courses that meet both major and general education requirements.
Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education
The field of early care and education is a dynamic and growing area of study for students who seek to work with young children up to age eight. Students who complete the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education will achieve competency in promoting child development and learning, building family and community relationships, implementing developmentally appropriate curricula, learning about child assessment systems, teaching in a diverse society, and becoming lifelong learners.
Flexibility
The programs in this cluster offer flexibility by combining online coursework with in-person classes at multiple centers. Online has the strongest course coverage, but you'll need to plan on attending the Chico Center, Main Campus, or Glenn Center to complete all required major coursework, depending on your program. Meet with a counselor to map out a schedule that works for your situation, since course offerings can shift.
Goal
TransferLength
2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Chico/Skyway Center
- Online
Associate Degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (AA-T) prepares students to complete a BA in Liberal Arts, a teaching credential, or a related program at a CSU. Students gain foundational knowledge and skills in curriculum standards, lesson design, assessment, and inclusive teaching practices for Transitional Kindergarten–12th grade. Graduates are guaranteed admission to the CSU system (though not to a specific campus or major) and complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. This pathway is ideal for students pursuing careers in primary, secondary, bilingual, or special education, with employment of elementary teachers projected to grow more than 6% as retirements and enrollment increase.
Flexibility
You can complete all of your required major coursework at Main Campus. If you'd prefer to study at another location, you'll likely need to combine it with Main Campus or Online to cover all your required courses, since course availability varies by center.
Goal
Career or TransferLength
2 yearsFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Chico/Skyway Center
- Online
Associate Degree for Transfer in Child and Adolescent Development
The Associate in Arts in Child & Adolescent Development for Transfer degree (AA-T in Child & Adolescent Development) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in this field at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, though not to a particular campus or major, and those transferring to a CSU that accepts the degree will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree. The program emphasizes a practitioner-scholar model, preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to foster the healthy growth and learning of children and families in a diverse society, while also developing leadership and advocacy skills to serve children from birth through age eighteen.
Flexibility
You can complete the required coursework for the Child and Adolescent Development AA-T degree at Main Campus, at the Chico Center, or online — all three locations have reliably offered the full set of major courses you'll need. Your general education requirements can be completed at any Butte location or online, so you have flexibility in how you mix your schedule across semesters.
Goal
CareerLength
1 semesterFlexibility
- Main Campus
- Chico/Skyway Center
- Online
Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) Upon successful completion of the Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Education, students will be able to apply key theories of child development to observe, assess, and support children’s growth across all developmental domains, while recognizing the impact of cultural, social, and environmental factors. They will also demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal responsibilities, family and community engagement, and the importance of self-reflection in building inclusive, supportive early learning environments.
Certificate of Completion in Para Education
(Not Eligible for Financial Aid) The Certificate in Para Education prepares students with skills valued by employers and, with additional school district requirements, can lead to careers as paraeducators, paraprofessionals, or teacher aides in TK–12 schools.
Flexibility
The programs in this cluster require coursework spread across multiple locations, so you'll need to combine classes from Main Campus and the Chico Center to complete your certificate. Online courses can help fill gaps in your schedule. A counselor can help you create a plan that works with your availability.
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