Pursue a Career in Child Development!

As a PCC Child Development student, you will learn about how children develop and the role adults play in that development while also getting a practical experience working with children in an academic environment with guided experiences.


Child Development Program & Courses

Earn a Certificate or Degree or take classes to start exploring child development. Either way you will gain valuable skills for your future endeavors. PCC's Child Development courses focus on a curriculum that includes children from infancy through school age.  Courses provide a theoretical foundation and prepare you for careers working with with infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. 

The program is affiliated with the PCC Child Development Center, a state-funded and NAEYC Accredited Center. Throughout the CHDV program, you will receive supervised training at the Child Development Center as part of their curriculum.

Program Options

  • Gain the knowledge to be a skilled professional working in early childhood education
  • Get hands-on training at an accredited childcare center
  • Fulfill coursework requirements for the California Child Development permit
  • Complete General Education requirements for the AS Degree and/or transfer

Careers in Child Development 

Child Development Courses at PCC will lay the foundation and prepare you for careers in classroom environments with infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children; family day care; parks and recreation; special education; extended day care; and public and nonprofit agencies concerned with the development and welfare of children.

Child Care Programs

  • Teacher Aide
  • Assistant Teacher
  • Associate Teacher
  • Teacher
  • Master Teacher
  • Site Supervisor
  • Program Director
  • School Age Specialist
  • Pre-School Music Specialist

Work Related to Children

  • Camp Counselor/Director
  • Child and Family Psychotherapist
  • Social & Child Welfare Case Worker

Social Services &
Community-Based Work

  • Child Care Advocate
  • Child Welfare Case Worker
  • Community Care Licensing Analyst
  • Family Services Advocate
  • Park and Recreation Leader, Coordinator, Staff or Director
  • Project/Program Administrators in Child-Related Agencies
  • Resources and Referral Counselor
  • Resource Specialist
  • School Board or City Council Member
  • Social Services Agency Director or Program Coordinator
  • Social Worker

Home-Based

  • Family Child Care Provider
  • Nanny or Au Pair

Elementary School Setting

  • Classroom Aide and Playground Aide
  • Credentialed Teacher (Pre-K-6)
  • Special Education Teacher

Adult Education & Training

  • Community College Instructor
  • High School Instructor
  • Infant/Toddler Trainer
  • Parent Educator

Creative Arts, Media, & Products

  • Children's Product Designer
  • Children's Environment Designer
  • Playground Designer
  • Sales and Marketing of Children's Products

Health Related Fields

  • Child Life Specialist/Consultant
  • Pediatric Nurse and School Nurse
  • Physical Therapist
  • Speech-Language Pathology Assistant