This certificate prepares students to work as an Associate Teacher or Co-Teacher in an early care and learning program. This includes identifying stages of development, preparing developmentally appropriate curriculum, facilitating children’s learning in all domains of development and supporting social skills. Students will gain hands on experience in a preschool classroom where they can develop effective teaching and interaction skills. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements, Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level, and 24 units of ECE required for Transitional Kindergarten teachers. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.

Program Outcome

Meets the child development course requirements of the Child Development Permit at the Teacher level and provides enhanced employability, the holder can be employed as a Preschool Teacher or as part of a teaching team. It meets the needs of transitional kindergarten teachers who are required to have 24 units of child development or early childhood education in addition to their bachelor’s degree and multiple subjects teaching credential.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.