Child and Family Development, Associate in Applied Science
Florissant Valley and Forest Park
The Child and Family Development, Associate in Applied Science offers students a variety of career pathways, including Infant Toddler Studies, the study of the Exceptional Child, and Early Childhood Leadership. Students will investigate leading theories of child development and methodologies for curriculum planning, and assessment. Through class lectures, observation studies, field work with mentor teachers, service learning, and opportunities for discussion with award winning faculty, students will engage in the best practices designed for the study of young children and their families.
The Child and Family Development program is aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation. St. Louis Community College prepares students to work with young children from infancy through age eight.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is a two-year program with a concentration of coursework in child development and family studies. AAS degree candidates can find employment as teachers, parent educators, community service workers, youth development program workers, administrators, program planners, managers or directors in early childhood settings. Environments for teaching young children include Head Start and Early Head Start, preschool programs, laboratory schools, elementary schools, and community child care programs. With further study, students have the possibility of a variety of career options such as those in the legal system, hospital and medical settings, government agencies, and therapy systems.
Students must earn at least a “C” in certain courses to be eligible for the associate degree. See an academic advisor or the program coordinator for details about this requirement.
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- plan appropriate lessons for each young child’s diverse characteristics and needs, based on their knowledge and understanding of child development.
- design effective communication strategies that support positive relationships.
- design culturally relevant curriculum.
- implement responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child.
- implement reflective practice to improve their work with young children.
- demonstrate professionalism as essential for educators of young children.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| MTH 108 | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher or MOTR Natural Science) | 3 |
| COM 101 | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) (or any MOTR Humanities and Fine Arts course) | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| XXX xxx | Social Science MOTR Elective | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| CFD 101 | Foundations of Child and Family Development | 3 |
| CFD 102 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| CFD 103 | Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 |
| CFD 104 | Creative Experiences in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CFD 106 | Cognitive Development: Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CFD 107 | Family/Community Support and Engagement | 3 |
| CFD 201 | Social and Emotional Development: Guidance and Discipline | 3 |
| CFD 202 | Cognitive Development: Math, Science, and Engineering for Young Children | 3 |
| CFD 204 | Principles of Curriculum Design: Preschool | 3 |
| CFD 205 | Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Preschool | 3 |
| CFD 207 | Supporting Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 |
| CFD 208 | Child and Family Development Capstone: Portfolio Design | 3 |
| Select one of the following Career Pathways | 9 | |
| Infant Toddler Studies Pathway (9 Credit Hours) | ||
| Principles of Curriculum Design: Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds | ||
| Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds | ||
| Social Emotional Supports for Infants and Toddlers | ||
| Exceptional Child Pathway (9 Credit Hours) | ||
| Introduction to Children with Special Needs | ||
| Activities for Children with Special Needs | ||
Elective: Choose 3 credit hours from CFD, EDU, BHS, or HMS | ||
| Early Childhood Leadership Pathway (9 Credit Hours) | ||
| Management of Early Childhood Settings | ||
| Early Childhood Leadership Practicum | ||
Elective: Choose 3 credit hours from CFD, IT, BUS | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2023, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 101 | Foundations of Child and Family Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 102 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 103 | Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 104 | Creative Experiences in Early Childhood | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 106 | Cognitive Development: Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 107 | Family/Community Support and Engagement | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 201 | Social and Emotional Development: Guidance and Discipline | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 204 | Principles of Curriculum Design: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of a "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| MTH 108 or MOTR Natural Science | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher) or | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 202 | Cognitive Development: Math, Science, and Engineering for Young Children | 3 | CFD 102 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 205 | Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101, CFD 102, CFD 104, and CFD 204 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 207 | Supporting Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 209 | Management of Early Childhood Settings | 3 | CFD 103 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Social and Behavioral Science: Civics Requirement | 3 | |||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 210 | Early Childhood Leadership Practicum | 3 | CFD 209 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 208 | Child and Family Development Capstone: Portfolio Design | 3 | CFD 205 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Elective | 3 | Choose from CFD, BUS, or IT | ||
| Social Science MOTR Elective | 3 | |||
| COM 101 or any MOTR Humanities and Fine Arts course | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2023, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 101 | Foundations of Child and Family Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 102 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 103 | Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 104 | Creative Experiences in Early Childhood | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 106 | Cognitive Development: Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 107 | Family/Community Support and Engagement | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 201 | Social and Emotional Development: Guidance and Discipline | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 204 | Principles of Curriculum Design: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of a "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| MTH 108 or MOTR Natural Science | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher) or | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 202 | Cognitive Development: Math, Science, and Engineering for Young Children | 3 | CFD 102 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 205 | Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101, CFD 102, CFD 104, and CFD 204 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 207 | Supporting Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 111 | Introduction to Children with Special Needs | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Social and Behavioral Science: Civics Requirement | 3 | |||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 211 | Activities for Children with Special Needs | 3 | CFD 111 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 208 | Child and Family Development Capstone: Portfolio Design | 3 | CFD 205 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Elective | 3 | Choose from CFD, BHS, EDU, or HMS | ||
| Social Science MOTR Elective | 3 | |||
| COM 101 or any MOTR Humanities and Fine Arts course | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2023, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 101 | Foundations of Child and Family Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 102 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 103 | Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 104 | Creative Experiences in Early Childhood | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 106 | Cognitive Development: Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 107 | Family/Community Support and Engagement | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 201 | Social and Emotional Development: Guidance and Discipline | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 204 | Principles of Curriculum Design: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of a "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| MTH 108 or MOTR Natural Science | Elementary Applied Mathematics (or higher) or | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 202 | Cognitive Development: Math, Science, and Engineering for Young Children | 3 | CFD 102 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 205 | Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Preschool | 3 | CFD 101, CFD 102, CFD 104, and CFD 204 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 207 | Supporting Cultural Awareness and Diversity | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 108 | Principles of Curriculum Design: Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| Social and Behavioral Science: Civics Requirement | 3 | |||
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| CFD 110 | Social Emotional Supports for Infants and Toddlers | 3 | CFD 101 and CFD 102 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 109 | Supervised Student Teaching Practicum: Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds | 3 | CFD 101, CFD 102, CFD 104, and CFD 108 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| CFD 208 | Child and Family Development Capstone: Portfolio Design | 3 | CFD 205 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Social Science MOTR Elective | 3 | |||
| COM 101 or any MOTR Humanities and Fine Arts course | Oral Communication I (MOTR COMM 100) or | 3 | Concurrent enrollment in ENG 070 or Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.