The Child Development & Educational Studies Department at Long Beach City College offer courses in the fields of Child Development and Early Childhood Education. The field of Child Development focuses on the growth and development of children from birth through adolescence. Early Childhood Education is the care and education of young children from birth to age 8 in group settings. Fostering the healthy development of young children lays down the foundation for children, families, and communities to thrive.
Dedicated to serving the complex needs of young children and their families, the Child Development and Educational Studies Department offers courses that prepare students to work with children in a variety of settings, including child care centers, family child care homes, before and after-school programs, and inclusive settings for children with special needs.
The Department offers two associate’s degrees, including one Associate’s Degree for Transfer (ADT) for those who plan to continue their education at a four-year university and numerous certificates. Certificates are aligned with state requirements for the California Teacher Permit and department faculty assist students in completing the required paperwork.
Students benefit from the availability of two child development centers and learning labs located on each campus where they can observe children, families, and teaching staff in order to learn best practices in the field, complete course assignments, and improve their own practice or prepare for work in the field. The career options for department majors are numerous and include teaching and administrative positions in early childhood programs, as well as continuing their education to pursue careers in social services, nursing, and elementary education.