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Is a Child Development Degree Worth It?

Last updated on October 8, 2019

Do you enjoy working with kids? Have you ever considered specializing in early childhood development?

You’re in luck — Brookhaven and Eastfield both offer an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Child Development, with a specialty in Early Childhood Education. Even better, these programs should easily transfer to a four-year university*, saving you money while on the path to earning your bachelor’s degree.

Why Should I Study Child Development?

Teaching is not only rewarding, it’s also an extremely in-demand career field. Kindergarten through elementary teaching jobs in Texas pay salaries in the $50,000s, and preschool teaching jobs pay around $35,000 annually. Other types of education jobs, like tutoring, are expected to grow 20 percent by 2022.

In addition to a early childhood development, DCCCD also offers education degrees with specializations in Special Education, Foreign Language and Mathematics, all leading to various levels of an Initial Texas Teacher Certification.

What Else Can I Do With an Education Degree?

Not interested in teaching, but still love the idea of working with kids? That’s okay, too! Depending on education level and specialization, there are plenty of career possibilities to explore outside of teaching:

  • Church education programs
  • Community programs such as the YMCA, YWCA or Red Cross
  • Child care centers, from private to corporate-sponsored
  • Federal programs such as Head Start
  • Not-for-profit organizations such as AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps or America Reads
  • Public schools
  • Private schools

Getting Started

First, you need to decide which program you’re interested in. While most of our colleges offer an Associate of Arts in Teaching, there are slight differences in specializations offered by college. For example, you can only specialize in early childhood education at Brookhaven or Eastfield.

Then, complete the admissions process at the college that offers the degree or certificate you’d like to earn. When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in the Child Development program to determine which courses you should take.

* In keeping with Texas state law, students who complete the 42 hours of Core credits are assured that those hours should transfer to any Texas public college or university. However, care should be taken in the selection of math and science courses to ensure that they also meet requirements of the proposed major at the transfer institution. Each curriculum requires specific courses that must be taken in addition to the Core.

More Information

  • Read more about our Child Development program on the DCCCD website.
  • Check out the course schedule to get an idea of how your studies will fit within your busy lifestyle.
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