Program Overview
The Child Development associate's degree focuses on leadership skills that are needed in a director position. Graduates of the Child Development degree program will be qualified to apply for positions as lead teachers and center directors as well as apply for a license for their own childcare business.
Earning Potential
Interested in a career in child development? Learn more about our region’s employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study.
Instruct preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote social, physical and intellectual growth needed for primary school in preschool, day care center or other child development facility. May be required to have a State certification.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
Plan, direct or coordinate the academic and nonacademic activities of preschool and childcare centers or programs.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing and overseeing play.
median annual salary
annual job openings
are currently employed within the State of Michigan Prosperity Regions 5 and 6.
This number is expected to over the next four years.
of current workers will reach retirement age within the next ten years.
Visit Career Coach for more details.
About Delta's Program
-
Amazing facultyAt Delta, you get small classes, professors who see your potential and resources to help you succeed. Delta professors are here to teach. And, they're really good at it.
Child development teachers provide cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth and development for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. They focus on whole child development and helping children for later academic and social success.
Our child development program foundation courses include infant and toddler development, psychology, teaching practicum, childcare program management and first aid.
The Child Development Program at Delta College is accredited by the Commission on
the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association
for the Education of Young Children.
The current accreditation term runs from September 2019 through September 2026.
All CD 110W, CD 113W, CD 115W and CD 117W students must complete the following and submit the appropriate documentation to the program coordinator:
- TB Skin Test. You must submit evidence of freedom from communicable tuberculosis
- Criminal background check
- DHS Child Abuse/Neglect clearance check
- Employment and volunteer contract (practicum agreement)
In addition, a Child Development information session is held in December, April and August. Students must attend one of these sessions. Be sure you notify Academic Advising Office to state your major as CD.
CD 110W and CD 113W each require 30 hours of volunteer work at a licensed childcare program. CD 115W requires 90 hours and CD 117W requires 150 hours of teaching in a licensed program other than your current employment site. CD 115W and CD 117W must be unpaid and outside of your work schedule. More information will be given at the information sessions.
| Academic year | Number of program completers | Percentage of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion) | Percentage of program completers who were attending part-time (at the time of completion) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2022-23
|
19 |
37% (7 of 19)
|
63% (12 of 19)
|
|
2021-22
|
23 |
28% (5 of 18)
|
78% (18 of 23)
|
| 2020-21 | 13 | 38% (5 of 13) | 62% (8 of 13) |
Program name: AAA. Child Development
| Academic year in which a fall cohort of full-time students enrolled at the institution (select three sequential years) |
Percentage of those students who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe Published timeframe for full-time students: 2 years |
Percentage of those students who completed the program in 100%, 200% or 300% the published timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 14.2% (3 of 21) |
100-4.7% (1 of 21) |
| 2015-16 | 5% (1 of 20) | |
| 2016-17 |
17% (4 of 23)
|
200 17% (4 of 23) |
| 2017-18 |
16% (4 of 25)
|
100 12% (3 of 25) 200 16% (4 of 25) |
The fall-to-fall retention rate in the program for each of the three most recently completed academic years
| Academic year | Number of Part-Time Candidates Enrolled (% of Total Enrollment) | Retention Rate among Part-Time Candidates | Number of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled (% of Total Enrollment) | Retention Rate among Full-Time Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 |
81, 64.8%
|
46, 56.7%
|
44, 35.2%
|
30, 68.1%
|
| 2020-21 | 64 59.3% | 36 56.3% | 44 40.7% | 19 43.2% |
| 2021-22 | 42 67.7% | 27 30.3% | 44 35.2% | 13 48.1% |
Outcomes for Program Standard 1: Child Development and Learning In Context
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 1 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1a Application 1 |
N = 22 % = 81 |
N = 2 % = 7 |
N = 3 % = 11 |
| 1a Application 2 |
N = 32 % =74 |
N =11 % =26 |
N = 2 % = 0 |
| 1b Application 2 |
N = 33 % =87 |
N = 2 % =5 |
N = 3 % = 8 |
| 1b Application 2 |
N = 38 % =70 |
N = 16 % =30 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 1c Application 1 |
N = 25 % = 81 |
N = 5 % = 16 |
N = 1 % = 3 |
| 1c Application 2 |
N = 33 % =75 |
N = 11 % =25 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 1d Application 1 |
N = 21 % = 70 |
N = 8 % = 27 |
N = 1 % = 3 |
| 1d Application 2 |
N = 20 % =69 |
N = 12 % =22 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
Outcomes for Program Standard 2: Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 2 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a Application 1 |
N = 8 % = 38 |
N = 12 % = 27 |
N = 1 % = 5 |
| 2a Application 2 |
N = 24 % =77 |
N =7 % =23 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 2b Application 1 |
N = 14 % =67 |
N = 5 % =24 |
N = 2 % = 10 |
| 2b Application 2 |
N = 28 % =90 |
N = 3 % =10 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 2c Application 1 |
N = 9 % = 43 |
N = 9 % = 43 |
N = 3 % = 14 |
| 2c Application 2 |
N = 16 % =62 |
N = 7 % =27 |
N = 3 % = 12 |
Outcomes for Program Standard 3: Child Observation, Documentation and Assessment
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 3 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a Application 1 |
N = 34 % = 65 |
N = 14 % = 27 |
N = 4 % = 8 |
| 3a Application 2 |
N = 52 % =72 |
N =20 % =28 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 3b Application 1 |
N = 29 % =66 |
N = 11 % =25 |
N = 4 % = 9 |
| 3b Application 2 |
N = 29 % =64 |
N = 15 % =33 |
N = 1 % = 2 |
| 3c Application 1 |
N = 33 % = 77 |
N = 7 % = 16 |
N = 3 % = 7 |
| 3c Application 2 |
N = 32 % =68 |
N = 14 % =30 |
N = 1 % = 2 |
| 3d Application 1 |
N = 31 % = 72 |
N = 9 % = 21 |
N = 3 % = 7 |
| 3d Application 2 |
N = 33 % =70 |
N = 13 % =28 |
N = 1 % = 2 |
Outcomes for Program Standard 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate
Teaching Practices
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 4 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a Application 1 |
N = 41 % = 80 |
N = 6 % = 12 |
N = 4 % = 8 |
| 4a Application 2 |
N = 42 % =79 |
N =11 % =21 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 4b Application 1 |
N = 25 % =86 |
N = 2 % =7 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 4b Application 2 |
N = 19 % =79 |
N = 5 % =21 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 4c Application 1 |
N = 25 % = 86 |
N = 2 % = 7 |
N = 2 % = 7 |
| 4c Application 2 |
N = 15 % = 63 |
N = 9 % =38 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
Outcomes for Program Standard 5: Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic
Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 5 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a Application 1 |
N = 26 % = 90 |
N = 1 % = 3 |
N = 2 % = 7 |
| 5a Application 2 |
N = 18 % =75 |
N =6 % =25 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 5b Application 1 |
N = 26 % =90 |
N = 1 % =3 |
N = 2 % = 7 |
| 5b Application 2 |
N = 29 % =76 |
N = 9 % =24 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 5c Application 1 |
N = 26 % = 90 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
N = 3 % = 10 |
| 5c Application 2 |
N = 17 % =71 |
N = 7 % =29 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
Outcomes for Program Standard 6: Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator
Data Applications: Fall 2023 and Winter 2024
| Key Elements of Standard 6 | Exceeds Standard | Meets Standard | Does Not Meet Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6a Application 1 |
N = 15 % = 65 |
N = 6 % = 26 |
N = 2 % = 9 |
| 6a Application 2 |
N = 8 % =50 |
N =7 % =44 |
N = 1 % = 6 |
| 6b Application 1 |
N = 12 % =52 |
N = 9 % =39 |
N = 2 % = 9 |
| 6b Application 2 |
N = 10 % =63 |
N = 5 % =31 |
N = 1 % = 6 |
| 6c Application 1 |
N = 28 % = 90 |
N = 3 % = 10 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 6c Application 2 |
N = 28 % =90 |
N = 3 % =10 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
| 6d Application 1 |
N = 8 % = 38 |
N = 12 % = 57 |
N = 1 % = 5 |
| 6d Application 2 |
N = 24 % =77 |
N = 15 % =23 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
|
6e |
N = 20 % = 69 |
N = 8 % = 28 |
N = 1 % = 3 |
| 6e Application 2 |
N = 26 % = 72 |
N = 10 % = 28 |
N = 0 % = 0 |
Why you should choose Delta
The Delta College child development program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). As a result, the curriculum for the Associate's Degree is aligned with the standards issued by the NAEYC and involves rigorous assessment with program and peer evaluations.
Life is busy. But that shouldn't get in the way of your education. Delta offers classes at night, on weekends and online to make taking classes and getting that degree easier. Plus, Delta has three centers so you can take classes even closer to home.
You can get hands-on experience in your field while you're working toward that degree. I know. It's awesome! Plus, you'll even get paid. That's co-op! Check it out.
At the Teaching Learning Center, located in the Library, we offer tutoring on a wide variety of subjects, and help with developing study and learning skills. Most tutoring is on a walk-in basis but we do have some online tutoring options.
Best of all, it's free for currently enrolled Delta students. Just another way we demonstrate our commitment to helping students succeed.
One of the very best things about Delta College is your ability to start here and go anywhere. And, in the process, save thousands (and thousands) of dollars. It's a smart choice!
In fact, if you're interested in earning a bachelor's in Child Development you have several options by coming to Delta first, and then transferring.
Facts & Figures
With a student to professor ratio of 16 to 1, our students get personal attention.
80% of grads from the last five years live in the tri-counties. 97% live in Michigan.
Related Programs
Delta College offers over 140 degree, certificate and training options. Continue exploring and advancing your education with these related programs:
- Child Development - Certificate
- Child Development - Transfer
- Educational Paraprofessional - Certificate