Early Childhood & Youth Development

Overview

  • Delivery: Daytime, Evening and Online Classes
  • Start: Fall or Spring Semester, Full- or Part-Time
  • Location: Rosemount Campus

Outcomes

Program Data Sheet

Major Description

There is a wide variety of career opportunities for working in the field of Early Childhood & Youth Development. These professions are projected to increase.

Early Childhood & Youth Development A.S./A.A.S. Degree: This program prepares students for employment in a variety of early childhood and youth settings. Courses meet Minnesota Department of Human Services educational requirements for assistant teachers and teachers in a child care setting. Students learn about child development, guidance, professional relationships, nutrition, health and safety, cultural sensitivity and techniques for promoting learning in young children. This program is available in the classroom and most courses are also available online.

Child Life Assistant A.A.S. Degree: This program delivers knowledge and skills necessary for working with children in hospitalized settings or with health care needs. Child life assistants are part of the team responsible for supporting children and families through health care experiences and helping them effectively cope by using developmental play and normalized activities in their environment. This program is available in the classroom and most courses are also available online.

Early Childhood & Youth Development Diploma: This program prepares individuals who would like to work in a child care center or preschool as a lead teacher or in a family child care program. This program is available in the classroom and many courses are also available online.

Early Childhood & Youth Development Certificate: This program prepares individuals for work in a child care center or preschool as an assistant teacher or in a family child care program. This program is available in the classroom and online.

National Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program: This certificate provides knowledge of learning environments, principles of child development and behavior, working with families, child health and safety, and professionalism. It fulfills the training requirement for the National CDA credential. This certificate is available online.

Work Environment

Early Childhood & Youth Development professionals work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children/youth, and special-needs children in homes, schools, and community centers. Other career options include child advocacy and social service. Child Life Assistants may work in clinical and non-clinical settings with young children or youth who have special health needs.

Potential Job Titles

  • Preschool Teacher
  • Child Care Worker
  • Family Day Care Provider
  • Nanny
  • School District Paraprofessional
  • Child Life Assistant

Salary Data

  • Child Care
    Average Wage: $10.54/hour
    Top Earners: $14.14/hour
  • Preschool Teacher
    Average Wage: $15.68/hour
    Top Earners: $25.58/hour
  • Child Life Assistant
    Average Wage: $14.00/hour
    Top Earners: $20.00/hour

Gainful Employment Reports

Academic Advisor


Instructors

Jill Behnke 651-423-8398 jill.behnke@dctc.edu BIO
Dawn Braa 651-423-8315 dawn.braa@dctc.edu BIO