Associate of Applied Science Degree in Occupational Development

There is a growing need in the United States for childcare and elder care in private homes and at daycare and eldercare centers. Some employers are making a collaborative effort to provide dependent care for their employees by establishing centers or expanding existing ones.

The demand for a dependent care career will increase in the future as the baby boom generation ages and assumes the responsibility of providing care for their elderly parents and as more young mothers pursue employment outside the home. Job opportunities for this degree include employment in retirement communities, adult day care centers, senior centers, adult congregate living facilities, employer and community childcare facilities, and in individual homes.

Students in the Occupational Development Program are subject to the Community and Technical College’s requirements for admissions, basic skills testing, and appropriate course placement, including mandated developmental courses, which are not counted toward completion of the program. Blue Ridge CTC Catalog requirements regarding academic standards, student conduct, and graduation procedures also apply.

Curriculum for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Occupational Development
General Education Core	22
Required Program Core	9
APTR Course	32
Total Credit Hours Required	63

 

APTR Course (US Department of Labor)	Credit Hours
Apprenticeship for Child Development OR Direct Support Specialist	32

 

General Education Core	Credit Hours
CGEN 100 Critical Thinking & Learning	3
ENGL 101 Written English (by placement)	3
COMM 202 Fundamentals of Speech	3
MATH 100+ Any MATH 100 or above	3
CGEN 101 Career Transition	1
OFTC 102 Microsoft Office Aps Intro	3
PSYC 203 Introduction to Psychology	3
SOCI 203 General Sociology	3
Subtotal Credit Hours Required	22

Required Program Core	Credit Hours
CAHS 200 Nutrition	3
EMSP 100 First Responder	3
CAHS 210 Human Growth and Development	3
Subtotal Credit Hours Required	9