Early Childhood Paraprofessional - Major #5912 - Certificate of Achievement

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.
It is also important to discuss your transfer options with a counselor because each university will require specific courses.

The Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in preschool through grade 12 (TK-12) school settings. Completing the certificate satisfies the federal No Child Left Behind requirements for employment in school districts and is the foundation for the Associate degree for Transfer in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education.

1. Demonstrate introductory subject matter competency required for working in preschool to grade 12 school settings.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of social, cultural, environmental, and aesthetic perspectives necessary for working in preschool to grade 12 classrooms.

3. Discuss historical influences and current trends in education, as well as teaching strategies and approaches appropriate for students of diverse, needs, abilities and backgrounds.

Program Map

Term 1

13 units
CDEV 1
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
This course examines the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children, birth through age eight. Students will examine the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. The course explores professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. An introduction to best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, relationships, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children, including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. This course requires observation in a group early childhood setting. (A, CSU, UC)

Course Details:

      1. CSU Transfer
        CDEV 3
        Introduction to Curriculum
        Students will plan developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children birth through age eight. Students will use knowledge of children’s development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children’s development and learning integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings including supports for children on race, equity, language varieties, and diverse abilities. The "To Be Arranged" hours may include observation of and participation in planning learning environments and curriculum. (A, CSU)

        Course Details:

        1. Prerequisite:
          1. CSU Transfer
            CDEV 30
            Child and Family in a Diverse Community
            This course emphasizes the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. The course examines the influence of multiple societal contexts including race, equity, and language. Students will explore the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, birth through adolescence. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

            Course Details:

            1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
              1. CSU Transfer
                ENGL C1000
                Academic Reading and Writing
                Critical reading of diverse voices is a major component of this course. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

                Course Details:

                1. Prerequisite:
                  1. CSU Transfer

                    Term 2

                    12-13 units
                    Introduction to Teaching
                    This course is an introduction to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in contemporary schools, Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). Topics include theories of learning, teaching methodologies, teacher inquiry and reflexivity, teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, contemporary educational issues, California's content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time discussing theories and methods, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public K-12 classrooms that represent California's diverse student population where students will apply course theories, methods, and concepts. This includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher. Students complete their observation hours in a classroom that is in line with their degree plans. Multiple-subject students to observe in an elementary school. Single subject majors (History, Math, English, etc.) to observe in a subject area at a high school or junior high school. (A, CSU, UC)

                    Course Details:

                        1. CSU Transfer
                          OR
                          This course is an introduction to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today’s contemporary schools, Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). Course topics include teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, theories of learning, teaching methodologies, teacher inquiries and reflexivity, contemporary educational issues, California’s content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. (A, CSU, UC)

                          Course Details:

                              1. CSU Transfer
                                AND
                                This course consists of supervised employment extending the classroom based on occupational learning related to the student’s major. The collaborative learning objectives are established specific to the particular occupational field of each student. Orientation hours may be required. (A, CSU)

                                Course Details:

                                1. Prerequisite: EDUC 30
                                  1. CSU Transfer
                                    CDEV C1000
                                    Child Growth and Development
                                    (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

                                    Course Details:

                                        1. CSU Transfer
                                          Language and Literacy for Multilingual Learners or Children’s Literature
                                          This course covers research-based principles and practices for providing children birth through age eight with a strong foundation in multilingual and literacy development within a developmentally appropriate approach. Students will explore various topics, including the teacher's role, preparation of the classroom environment, anti-bias curriculum development, and teaching strategies, with an emphasis on ways to support multilingualism. (A, CSU)

                                          Course Details:

                                              1. CSU Transfer
                                                OR
                                                This course offers a selection and presentation of children's literature from infancy to eight years of age. Students will learn about storytelling, emergent literacy, and awareness regarding diverse perspectives while emphasizing supporting the child’s social and emotional awareness regarding multicultural, multilingual, and non-sexist perspectives through children's literature. (A, CSU)

                                                Course Details:

                                                    1. CSU Transfer
                                                      MATH 10A
                                                      Structure and Concepts in Mathematics I
                                                      In this course students will develop quantitative reasoning through an in-depth study of topics including real number systems and subsystems. The emphasis is on comprehension and analysis of mathematical concepts and applications of logical reasoning. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)

                                                      Course Details:

                                                      1. Prerequisite: MATH 103
                                                        2. OR
                                                      2. Prerequisite:
                                                        1. CSU Transfer