About the Program

Butte College offers education, child, and family studies coursework designed to develop skills used by parents, professionals, and others involved in the care, nurturing, and development of children. 

The college offers programs and related coursework in child and adolescent development and early childhood education, focusing on diverse families and communities.

The child development and early childhood programs are complemented by an on-campus Child Development Center that serves as a laboratory for students in Early Childhood Education and other disciplines.

Students interested in child development and early childhood can focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Child and Adolescent Development
• Child Development
• Early Childhood Education

Students interested in transitional kindergarten (TK) and elementary education can focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Para Education
• Elementary Education
• Liberal Studies

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities in the child development, early childhood, TK-12 education fields are many and varied. 

Potential careers include: teacher, administrator, childcare provider, playground program specialist, social worker, consultant, play therapist / activity specialist or teacher for hospitalized children, elementary school teacher, designer of children's products, legislative analyst / aide, and human services lobbyist. Opportunities are dependent upon the amount of education acquired. 

High School Degree to Associate's Degree

Child care worker, teacher's aide, nurse's aide, recreational coach, camp counselor, bus driver, YMCA/Boy's and Girl's Club worker, group home worker, lifeguard and swim instructor, nanny, after school care program coordinator, counselor in schools/youth programs, speech/language aide.

Bachelor's Degree

Teacher, juvenile probation officer, group home supervisor, youth program coordinator, parent educator, county extension specialist, crisis nursery caregiver or administrator, child life specialist, legislative researcher, lobbyist, women's shelter administrator, city or state outreach worker, consumer researcher, learning game designer, case manager for Child Protective Services, case manager for Developmental Disabilities, recreation specialist, parent interventionist, substance abuse/crisis counselor, preschool supervisor or administrator, preschool evaluator, physical/speech therapy assistant, legislative aide, toy designer, after-school program specialist, homeless shelter administrator, survey researcher, advertiser for children's products.

Graduate or Professional Degree

Marriage and family therapist, family court mediators, university/college professor, child psychologist, pediatric audiologist, physical or occupational therapist, family law attorney, pediatric specialists, researcher in child development, speech and language pathologist, optometrist, pediatric nurse.