Cisco College's Childhood Development and Early Childhood program produces knowledgeable and competent professionals to work with children from birth to 8-years of age, along with their families. Our courses provide training for caregivers or administrators in public and private schools, federal agencies, medical facilities, child care agencies, and community agencies that require individuals who understand the growth, development and needs of children.

The Child Development & Early Childhood program is a technical program beginning in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters of each year. A student receiving a degree, Level I, or Level II certificate must complete the capstone requirements.

Prerequisites

There is no special selection criteria for this program.

Future Students:

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Current Students:

About this Program

Degrees & Certifications	Program Length
Associate of Applied Science	Four semesters
Child Development & Early Childhood Level II Certificate	Four semesters
Child Development & Early Childhood Level I Certificate	Two semesters

What Can This Program Do For You

Potential Career Paths
- Teaching Administration
- Curriculum Development
- Teaching
- Family & Consumer Science
- Counseling
- Case Management
Salary Information
Links to the following websites are provided for your convenience and information and do not constitute official endorsement by Cisco College.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics ‘Occupational Outlook Handbook’ can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a resource for career exploration, training, skill sets, wages & jobs.
Online & Hybrid Courses
Cisco College offers Hybrid classes for students with busy schedules. Students can take five classes per semester and attend classes on campus only one night a week. The Child Development program offers three classes per semester as hybrid classes. These classes are offered from:
- 5:00 PM to 6:25 PM
- 6:30 PM to 7:55 PM
- 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
These classes take place on Monday and Tuesday nights and require online assignments.

The Child Development program also offers three online courses per semester. In the online course, all work is completed via the internet. Cisco College offers a tutoring center for support.
Additional Resources
Region 14 Program
Region 14 Education Service Center in collaboration with Cisco College offers an opportunity for educational aides to earn an Associate's Degree in Child Development while continuing to work. Participants selected will receive reduced tuition. Classes will meet at nights (during the summer) and on weekends (during the school year).
- New Student Checklist
- Region 14 Program Information
All classes will be held at:
- Region 14 South at 4300 S. Treadaway, Abilene, TX. 79602.
Enrollment is limited and participants will be selected from a committee. Please see the Region 14 website for additional information.

Child Development Associate of Applied Science Degree Plan

First Semester		Second Semester
CDEC 1303 Families, Schools & Community	3	CDEC 1319 Child Guidance	3
CDEC 1311 Educating Young Children	3	CDEC 1323 Observation & Assess. of Young Child	3
CDEC 1313 Curriculum Resources	3	CDEC 1359 Children with Special Needs	3
CDEC 1318 Wellness of the Young Child	3	CDEC 1366 Practicum I*	3
ENGL 1301 Composition I	3	SPCH 1315 or SPCH 1321	3
TOTAL	15	TOTAL	15

Third Semester		Fourth Semester
CDEC 1354 Child Growth	3	CDEC 2307 Math & Science for Early Child.	3
CDEC 1356 Emergent Literacy for Early Child.	3	CDEC 2366 Practicum II*	3
CDEC 1358 Creative Arts for Early Child.	3	Choose from one of the following electives: CDEC 1321 CDEC 1341 CDEC 2304 CDEC 2326	3
MATH 1301 or Science	3	CDEC 2315 Diverse Cult/Multilingual Ed.	3
PSYC 2301 General Psychology	3	Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective*	3
TOTAL	15	TOTAL	15
		TOTAL DEGREE HOURS	60

*To register for CDEC 1366, you must have passed at least 12 hours in Child Development. A passing grade in CDEC 1366 is required before registering for CDEC 2366.

Some students may need preparatory courses in English, Reading, or Math. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a certificate or degree.

Child Development Level II Certificate Plan

First Semester		Second Semester
CDEC 1303 Families, School & Community	3	CDEC 1319 Child Guidance	3
CDEC 1311 Educating Young Children	3	CDEC 1323 Observation & Assess. of Young Child.	3
CDEC 1313 Curriculum Resources	3	CDEC 1359 Children with Special Needs	3
CDEC 1318 Wellness of the Young Child	3	CDEC 1366 Practicum I*	3
TOTAL	12	TOTAL	12

Third Semester		Fourth Semester
CDEC 1354 Child Growth	3	CDEC 2307 Math & Science for Early Child.	3
CDEC 1356 Emergent Literacy for Early Child.	3	CDEC 2366 Practicum II*	3
CDEC 1358 Creative Arts for Early Child	3	Choose from one of the following electives: CDEC 1321 CDEC 1341 CDEC 2304 CDEC 2326	3
		CDEC 2315 Diverse Cult/Multilingual Ed.	3
TOTAL	9	TOTAL	12
		TOTAL CERTIFICATE HOURS	45

*To register for CDEC 1366, you must have passed at least 12 hours in Child Development. A passing grade in CDEC 1366 is required before registering for CDEC 2366.

Child Development Level I Certificate Plan

First Semester		Second Semester
CDEC 1303 Families, School & Community	3	CDEC 1319 Child Guidance	3
CDEC 1311 Educating Young Children	3	CDEC 1323 Observation & Assess. of Young Child.	3
CDEC 1313 Curriculum Resources	3	CDEC 1359 Children with Special Needs	3
CDEC 1318 Wellness of the Young Child	3	CDEC 1366 Practicum I*	3
TOTAL	12	TOTAL	12
		TOTAL CERTIFICATE HOURS	24

Awards & Accolades

Congratulations to the Class of 2018!

Congratulations to Vicki Bill and Jennifer Dirickson for being selected to the All Texas Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa! Both students work at Comanche ISD and have been enrolled in the Region 14 Cohort; they will graduate in May.

Cisco College represents opportunity to me. Cisco College offers a cost-effective education that is much more intimate than one would receive elsewhere. Lectures are small, allowing my experience to be much more personable. Attending a school that creates an environment of learning and connection is helping me reach my goals as a young adult.

– Mychellya Shadle

Meet the Faculty

Amy Callan

Child Development & Early Childhood Instructor
(325) 794-4409
amy.callan@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae

Debra Slaton

Professor of Education and Child Development
Cisco Campus Abilene Campus
(254) 442-5187 (325) 794-4505
debra.slaton@cisco.edu

Curriculum Vitae