​​​​​The Trauma Informed Practices in Education Certificate is designed to prepare students to support and promote social-emotional competence in young children. Students acquire knowledge to integrate developmentally appropriate cognitive and social-emotional support strategies and skills to meet the diverse mental health needs of children. They are taught culturally responsive behavior and discipline techniques, practical prevention and intervention strategies, and a brain-appropriate curriculum.

Students will identify mental health community resources to help create and build respectful, reciprocal relationships that support children’s mental health and the families they serve.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Demonstrate and apply their knowledge of developmentally appropriate cognitive and social-emotional support skills, strategies, and resources to promote social and emotional competence in young children in the educational setting.

✓ Define how discipline and stress affect learning and the mental health of young children.

✓ Describe how child abuse, culture, ability, self-concept, and a child’s experiences impact brain development.

✓ Examine the integration of child development theory and practice within the fields of early education and mental health.

✓ Analyze current research in children’s mental health topics and practices in provider and family support and strategies to provide mental health support.

The Certificate of Achievement in Accounting prepares students for entry-level positions and promotional opportunities in accounting and administrative departments of businesses in public and private sector areas such as manufacturing, merchandising, financial service, wholesale trades, and government. Specialized training in accounting and finance principles and practices enables students to maintain accounting records and develop financial reports and make effective use of financial information for analysis and decision making. Entry-level employment opportunities include positions in accounts receivable/payable, payroll, income tax preparation, cost accounting, and a number of trainee positions. Promotional opportunities include higher-level responsibilities in these areas and the areas of general ledger, financial statement preparation and financial statement analysis.

​​​The purpose of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Certificate for Early Childhood Educators is to empower teachers to employ a project-based learning approach that crosses all of these disciplines in solving everyday problems. This approach aligns with Common Core Standards and has been shown to engage students and allow them to use both left and right-brained thinking in the same exercise. This certificate provides a strong research-based curricular foundation with immediate practical classroom applications. Additionally, the STEAM certificate can be used towards earning professional growth hours for the child development permit.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Students will demonstrate a knowledge basis of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) within the early childhood.

✓ Students will apply left and right-brain thinking activities into practice.

✓ Students will understand and be conversant about the current education as well as be able to analyze their application and importance for teaching today.

The Support for Students with Special Needs Certificate is designed to prepare students with knowledge, skills, and resources to address the diverse needs of children and adolescents with special needs. Students​ are offered intervention strategies, adaptive curriculum, and tools to both support and empower educators and families in both natural and/or inclusive education settings.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Demonstrate and apply knowledge of specific effective instructional practices and management techniques for students with special needs.

✓ Adapt learning activities and materials to accommodate the needs of diverse learners.

✓ Practice ethical and professional behaviors and attitudes necessary to the role of a special needs support provider while applying knowledge of legal, ethical, health, and safety considerations and procedures; demonstrate understanding of the roles of support providers as collaborative team members and communicate effectively with others in the educational setting

✓ Apply current education, motivation, child development and diversity research, theor​y, and practice to effectively support students with special needs

The Certificate of Completion in 3D Printing is designed to teach students how to use a 3D printer and the technology behind 3D printing. Students will learn about the different plastic filaments that are used, and they will learn techniques for feeding the plastic filament into the 3D printer for optimal performance. Students will also learn about components of the printer, such as the extruder nozzle, contact sensor, calibration techniques, software, design methods, and reducing defects. An emphasis is placed on familiarizing students with the use of 3D printing in the areas of personal applications, engineering, design and manufacturing. It will also be of interest to all students who would like to learn more about 3D printing and the future applications of this exciting technology.

​​​The School-Age Care and Recreation Teacher Certificate is designed to prepare school-age classroom aides to serve as paraprofessional members of the teaching team in school-age child care. Students are offered knowledge about the development of the school-age child and the role of the adult in helping to integrate skills and aid classroom learning.

In order to earn the certificate, students must complete the following:

✓ 16 units of general education, specifically a class in each of the following areas: English, Science or Math, Social Science, and Humanities/Fine Arts.

✓ Additional work experience with young children (175 days of 3 hours per day, within 4 years).

These two requirements will also qualify the students to earn a California Teacher Permit, which is used in federal and state funded programs as well as licensing regulations for private and faith based programs.

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Students will demonstrate a knowledge base of the development of school aged children.

✓ Students will apply the knowledge base of theory to practice through thoughtful reflections on classroom observations.

✓ Students will understand and be conversant about the main philosophical and sociological ideas and trends that have influenced education as well as be able to analyze their application and importance for teaching today.

The Certificate of Achievement in Child Development - Infant/Toddler Teacher provides students with a specialized focus on the unique strengths and needs of infants and toddlers. Students will study the comprehensive development of the young child, birth to three years, with a focus on understanding current brain research and best caregiving practices. The practicum component of the program will support the students as they transfer their learning to their work with young children. The program is available for early childhood educators, parents, administrators and health care professionals.

In addition to the 36.5 units of Child Development coursework and 16 units of general education, students should consider completing the general education requirements for the AA Degree in Child Development with an Emphasis in Preschool-Age Care and Development.

This certificate meets the coursework requirements of the Teacher Child Development Permit and prepares students to be competent and effective teachers and caregivers in infant and toddler classrooms.

In order to earn the permit, students must complete the following:

✓ 16 units of general education, specifically a class in each of the following areas: English, Science or Math, Social Science, and Humanities/Fine Arts.

✓Additional work experience with young children (175 days of 3 hours per day within 4 years).

These two requirements will also qualify the students to earn a California Teacher Permit, which is used in federal and state early childhood programs as well as licensing regulations for private and faith-based programs. Contact Career Technical Education (CTE) counselors at SAC for additional assistance in planning your early childhood profession (714-564-6254).

A minimum grade of "C" in each course is required to earn this certificate and the California permit.

This Early Childhood Teacher Certificate provides students with knowledge about the comprehensive development of young children ages 3 to 5 years old. Students will focus on understanding developmentally appropriate practice, effective learning strategies, and how to create and implement a high-quality classroom for young children. The practicum component of the program will support the students as they transfer their learning to their work with young children. The program is available for early childhood educators, parents, administrators, and health care professionals.

In order to earn the certificate, students must complete the following:

✓ 16 units of general education, specifically a class in each of the following areas: English, Science or Math, Social Science, and Humanities/Fine Arts.

✓ Additional work experience with young children (175 days of 3 hours per day within 4 years).

These two requirements will also qualify the students to earn a California Teacher Permit, which is used in federal and state early childhood programs as well as licensing regulations for private and faith-based programs. In addition to the 36.5 units of Child Development coursework and 16 units of general education, students should consider completing the general education requirements for the AA Degree in Child Development with an Emphasis on Preschool-Age Care and Development. Contact Career Technical Education (CTE) counselors at SAC for additional assistance in planning your early childhood profession (714-564-6254).

​​​This Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Certificate is the first step to building a career working with children and families. Introductory coursework will provide students with knowledge about the comprehensive development of young children. Students will have the opportunity to observe preschool children, as well as learn about the important resources that are available to children and families. ​

This certificate is available for early childhood educators, parents, administrators and health care professionals. In order to earn the certificate, students must complete the Steps for Success Orientation provided by the Department of Child Development and Education Studies and is offered in the 10th week of every fall and spring semester. Students will be provided with times and locations and will complete this orientation during their semester attending CDEV108: Observation and Assessment.

These courses and requirements will also qualify students to apply for the California Assistant Teacher Permit, which is used in federal and state early childhood programs as well as licensing regulations for private and faith-based programs.

After completing this certificate, students should consider completing the general education requirements for the AA Degree in Child Development with an Emphasis in Preschool-Age Care and Development. ​

Learning Outcome(s):

✓ Demonstrate skill and mastery of child development theories and proficiency in application in a simulated/real infant/toddler setting or scenario.

✓ Develop a portfolio of developmentally appropriate activities, programming, and assessment strategies for infants and toddlers in the cognitive, psychosocial, and biosocial domains.

​The Early Childcare Administration and Leadership Certificate provides educational coursework that will prepare directors, supervisors, and managers for childcare work settings serving children from infancy through age eight. Topics include communication, curriculum, documentation, and interpretation along with culturally relevant approaches to teaching and learning focusing on developmentally appropriate, respectful, and supportive relationships with children and families, management and leadership, and marketing related to the operation of a center-based early childhood education program. Fieldwork or field-based assignments may be required. Updated immunizations per state regulations are required.

Learning​​​ Outcome(s):

✓ Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum planning, environments, and observation techniques in working with young children in order to implement diversity and equity in quality care for young children in a group setting.

✓ Demonstrate basic knowledge of staffing, professional development, budgets, leadership, program planning, communication, marketing for programs and enrollment for the programs of young children (birth-8).