Child Development Specialist Certificate Program Fact Sheet

What is a Child Development Specialist?	The purpose of this technical certificate is to provide the necessary skills for entry-level employment as a child development specialist. Skill areas include planning a safe and healthy learning environment, steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development, positive ways to support social and emotional development, and strategies to build relationships with families.
Degree and Certificates	This certificate does not qualify for financial aid as it does not meet the minimum hour requirements. Students applying for this program must be accepted into the Early Childhood degree or diploma program.
Prerequisite Courses	FYES 1000 Diploma level proficiency in English, reading and math are required to take ECCE technical courses. Please refer to course descriptions in the online catalog for specific prerequisites.
Length of Program	2 semesters minimum
Semester Program Begins	Fall, spring, or summer
Application Process	Applicants to the Early Childhood Care and Education program must meet all Admission requirements; complete an application and pay the application fee. Individuals apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu, submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required.
Field Experiences	ECCE 1121/ Practicum The D. Scott Hudgens Jr Early Learning Center is a state of the art campus lab school, located on the Lawrenceville campus, where ECCE 1121 students engage with children and families for 75 hours throughout the semester. The students are mentored by highly qualified teachers at the lab school. Students at the Alpharetta North Fulton Campus will complete their practicum experience at a Bright Horizons early learning center.
Practicum and Internship Requirements	All Early Childhood Care and Education students are required to submit a completed state and federal criminal records background check prior to enrolling in ECCE 1121 , ECCE 2245 and ECCE 2246 . To be employed in child care centers, public schools, or Head Start centers, an individual must have a satisfactory criminal records check. Persons who have been convicted of a felony offense are not employable in the child care field.
Program Deadlines	You may enter in the fall, spring, or summer term.
For more information, contact:	Jane Hyche, Program Director, JHyche@GwinnettTech.edu, 678.226.6741.
For admission and enrollment, contact:	Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email EducationTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.

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