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2025-26 Catalog
Child Development
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 Return to: Degree Planner
Program Coordinator John Phillips
Lewis and Clark offers an Associate in Applied Science degree and several certificates in Child Development that prepares the graduate to serve as a lead teacher or director of a child development program. Lewis and Clark is an entitled institution through Gateways; therefore, students can earn a Gateways Credential through the program’s course work.
As a Lewis and Clark graduate, the student will gain confidence through practical experience. Child Development students utilize theories to design developmentally appropriate programs and curricula. All student projects are completed under the direction of experienced instructors who feel a sense of responsibility to the field of child development as well as to the individual success of each Lewis and Clark student.
Program Learning Objectives
- Introduce, maintain, and continue to grow standards of professional conduct and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally
- Use their understanding of child development, learning standards, policy, and licensing requirements to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child
- Plan create, and implement developmentally appropriate learning opportunities and environments for the diverse learning needs of all children
- Understand and articulate the purpose, benefits, and goals of assessments, observations, documentation, and other researched-based strategies in a responsible way to positively impact the development of each child
- Create respectful and reciprocal partnerships with families and communities that support and empower children and engage families in their children’s development and learning
- Make informed decisions integrating legal, ethical, and regulatory policies and practices.
Nature of Work: The Child Development curriculum prepares students for employment as directors, teachers, and assistants in a variety of early childhood programs and as classroom assistants in public schools.
Skills and Abilities: Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate a wide variety of experiences designed to promote the language, intellectual, physical, and social/emotional development of young children.
Areas of responsibility include providing for the general safety and welfare of children, helping children acquire the intellectual and social skills necessary to relate to their peers and adults, and encouraging the physical skills to be strong, healthy children. A graduate of the Child Development program is trained to observe children, plan developmentally appropriate activities that encourage growth in all the developmental areas, and evaluate the children’s progress.
If a student receives a grade below a “C” in any Child Development (CHDV) course on two occasions, or in any two CHDV courses, that student will be dismissed from Lewis and Clark Community College’s Child Development program. A student must have a passing grade of A, B, or C in CHDV 234 the first time the course is attempted as a prerequisite for CHDV 271 and internship sites must be approved by the coordinator.
Notes: Students must have a grade of “C” or better in all CHDV classes to graduate with the A.A.S degree. Students must also have a favorable background check and physical for CHDV 234 and 271. Appropriate prerequisite courses should be taken if the student does not meet college English and reading levels as determined by the College Placement Test to enroll in all CHDV courses. Students enrolled in the certificate or the AAS degree program should carefully follow the sequence of classes listed in the catalog as some classes are only offered once a year. If you are interested in transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, please contact your advisor or the program coordinator to find information on four-year school and required coursework.
The Certificates of Completion offer a direct exit pathway designed for students who are in the field, or are seeking immediate employment and are pursuing Gateways Credentials to secure employment or progress within a current role. This pathway is designed with convenient on and off ramps-you can pursue an Early Childhood Level 2 Credential, for example, then later decide that you would like to attain your Early Childhood Level 3 Credential within the Certificate of Completion.
Child Development - CHDV.AAS
Associate in Applied Science Degree Total: 15-16 Credit Hours
Total: 15-16 Credit Hours
Note: At this point in the program, students are eligible for Early Childhood Level 2 and Infant Toddler Level 2 Credentials Total: 12-15 Credit Hours
Note: At this point in the program, students are eligible for Early Childhood Credential Level 3 Approved Child Development Electives List
Total credit hours required for the A.A.S. in Child Development: 60
Child Development - CHDV.CP
Certificate of Proficiency Total: 15-16 Credit Hours
Total: 15 Credit Hours
Note: After completing the Child Development Certificate of Proficiency, students are eligible for Early Childhood Credential Level 2 and Infant and Toddler Level 2 Total credit hours for a Certificate of Proficiency in Child Development: 30
Early Childhood Level 3 - CHDV/ECL3.CP
Certificate of Proficiency
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Proficiency and Gateways Early Childhood Level 3: 30
Early Childhood Level 2 - CHDV/ECL2.CC
Certificate of Completion
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Early Childhood Level 2: 18
Early Childhood Level 1 - CHDV/ECL1.CC
Certificate of Completion
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion in Early Childhood Level 1: 9
Illinois Director - CHDV/ILDIR.CC
Certificate of Completion
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Illinois Director: 15
Infant Toddler Level 2 - CHDV/ITL2.CC
Certificate of Completion
Total credit hours required for the Certificate of Completion and Gateways Infant Toddler Level 2: 9
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