Completion of the Child Development Pre-Service Elementary Teacher Program prepares students for a career serving children and families in elementary school settings. Coursework focusing on care and education of the school age child prepares students to work in school settings, while general education courses prepare students to complete required multi-subject exams to become credentialed teachers.

Upon completion, students will be prepared to enter the Accelerated Child Development BA and Teaching Credentials Pathway, or ACT, at California State University, Sacramento and complete the CBest basic skills exam. Students gain student teaching hours in Title 1 schools in both tutoring and special education, which apply to post-BA credential requirements. Students will be prepared to work in the extended learning workforce as paraprofessionals, aides, or before- and after-school caregivers.

At the expense of the student, all students must gain physical clearance and show proof of immunizations to measles, pertussis, influenza, and tuberculosis. Additionally, a background screening is required prior to student teaching.

Students should be aware that this program leads into an (optional) accelerated program at CSUS. For that reason, 63.5 units are required. Students are strongly recommended to complete Health Education 2, Human Development 4, and take the CBest exam in addition to the required 63.5 units. Completing Human Development 4 will allow students to obtain a Teacher permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

In all cases, students should consult with a counselor for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

Students must fulfill the following major requirements with grades of “C” or better, complete a minimum of 60 degree-applicable semester units (12 of which must be completed at Sierra College) with a grade point average of at least 2.0 and complete one of the following three general education patterns:

✔ Sierra College Associate Degree Requirements;

✔ California State University General Education (CSU GE) Breadth pattern;

✔ Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).

Program Student Learning Outcomes

✔ Identify and evaluate factors that influence child/human development from various theoretical perspectives and current research findings.

✔ Analyze early childhood lab sites and/or community schools for developmentally appropriate practices and program effectiveness.

✔ Exhibit professionalism within the field of Early Childhood Education by demonstrating skills relevant to the field that include incorporating meaningful curriculum, content knowledge, culturally and linguistically appropriate learning environments,  and observation, documentation, and assessment of young children.