Description

The Developmentally Appropriate Learning Environments Career Pathway Certificate of Completion is designed to support students seeking careers in early-learning settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of primary theories used in early childhood development and education to support early learning.
2. Apply assessment and observation tools to understand children’s behavior and demonstration of understanding.
3. Use observations of children's behavior and demonstration of understanding to inform classroom practices in the context of curricular, environmental, and socioemotional considerations.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of curricular models and positive guidance strategies which support young children’s learning and development.
5. Build developmentally appropriate curriculum and classroom resources based on knowledge of children’s developmental needs across domains, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social.

Academic Entrance Requirements

Recommended:

• Complete ED 140 Introduction to Early Childhood Education before taking other Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses.

Other Entrance Requirements

Required:

• The ECE program requires a background check through the Oregon Employment Office-Child Care Division.
• Some field practicum sites may require documentation of current immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact the program director if you have any questions.

• Students should review the program's policies and procedures in the COCC Early Childhood Student Handbook before beginning their coursework. 

Additional Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

• Background check ($0 to $70)
• Cost of mileage to and from field placement/practicum sites

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

Credits will apply toward the Head Start Re-authorization Act for highly qualified lead and assistant teachers and family advocates. Students considering the Early Childhood Development program at Southern Oregon University or the Human Development and Family Sciences (HDFS) program through Oregon State University may apply many of the Developmentally Appropriate Learning Environments (DALE) courses to HDFS program requirements and recommended coursework. The DALE certificate is a step along the pathway to the AAS in Early Childhood Education, and it invites students to apply theories and applications toward early learning environments. Students who are considering the Elementary Education Licensure program through OSU-Cascades may be able to apply several course. Please connect with your advisor to explore options and additional classes which may be of benefit, such as College Success courses, ED 243 Nutrition, Health and Safety for Young Children, and LIB 100 Introduction to Finding Information.

For current and potential students who have obtained a Child Development Associate or Step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry and who wish to apply this toward their AAS or certificates in Early Childhood Education, please speak with the program director, Amy Howell, to discuss options and next steps.

Performance Standards

• Academic Requirements:
  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
  • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher

• Additional Requirements:
  • Must provide evidence of background check clearance, preferably from the Central Background Check from the Oregon Dept. Early Learning and Care (DELC)
  • Adhere to the field placement contract; and
  • Adhere to confidentiality, health-related and no-smoking policies as
    they pertain to field placement settings.

Sample Plan