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Blue Ridge CTC’s Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program is designed by industry experts that provide students an opportunity to further their current career in childhood careers by pairing higher education with prior learning experience.
Build a solid foundation in the child development field with the 2-year Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program. Blue Ridge CTC offers a blend of content-specific knowledge, transferable skills, and practical experiences employers look for in qualified applicants.
You are not alone, as almost a third of students transfer schools! Check our transfer evaluation tool to save money and time while transferring to our Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program.
New Job Openings
Projected for in-demand early childhood specialist roles by 2030!
Average Salary
Estimated for pre-school teachers and similar occupations.
Job Growth
Is expected in the employment of preschool teachers from 2020-30.
Our two-year Child Development associate degree program is designed to provide special career training to individuals who have completed or are in the process of completing a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) in Child Development through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. Students must be currently employed and enrolled in a Department of Labor RAP program to declare this major. The degree ensures students:
Does evaluating and monitoring children’s needs interest you? Blue Ridge CTC’s associate program as an Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist helps students gain skills needed to advance their careers as childcare specialists.
Throughout the Occupational Development – Child Development Specialist program, learn the fundamental theories of early childcare with practical applications. Improve creative thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, analytical, organizational, and leadership skills required to perform effectively in an actual childcare work environment.
Earn this degree from our School of Workforce Development and Engineering Technologies.
With our associate degree in Occupational Development- Child Care Specialist, you learn vital child development skills through experiential learning under the guidance of highly trained faculty.
Throughout the Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program, learn fundamentals of speech, professional communication, assessment of young children, early language and literacy, and get an apprenticeship for child development. The curriculum allows students to:
Blue Ridge CTC offers a holistic industry-focused approach to learning, leading to a path-breaking career and continuing education opportunities.
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Blue Ridge CTC acts as a catalyst to career goals, gives students exposure to real-time career prospects, and provides a learning environment supporting personal and professional growth.
Effective faculty is the backbone of any school. Our faculty are committed teachers and scholars who:
Deliver real-world learning to shape a students’ job market competency.
Impart teaching that promotes creativity and sets the base for further 4-year programs.
Extend a smart learning model that raises job prospects.
Integrate best-in-class learning formats and resources to drive focused learning.
We provide comprehensive Student Support Services to promote student success.
Student Services provides a variety of support, including tutoring, accessibility accommodations, and more!
We provide high-tech classes, supporting labs, and study areas to promote a balanced education.
We recognize talent and celebrate performance with awards and acknowledgments.
We have supportive staff to help with personal, professional, and academic challenges.
We support students from admission through the career search! Career Services assists students:
Find the right kind of job with a career inventory assessment.
Get assistance on resume writing and referral to participating employer partners.
With interview preparation to boost their morale and get prepared with the right narration to win job negotiations.
Get a holistic learning environment, where they are nurtured to become the next set of professionals entering the workforce.
As a community of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Campus diversity encourages open dialogue on campus.
Equity removes barriers and ensures equal opportunities are afforded to all.
Our campus offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where all are valued, celebrated, and included.
The campus community promotes diversity and inclusion through a variety of speakers and events.
We are committed to providing students with real-time training and internship opportunities to enter the workforce directly after graduating.
We provide industry expert instruction to strengthen job-specific skills needed for real-world challenges.
We assist students with internship opportunities to find their way to a successful career.
We provide industry-certified expert supervision and guidance to raise students’ job prospects in the Government and Private sectors.
Our campus is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, machinery, hardware, and software required to provide the technical skills needed for real jobs.
Learn more about alumni who successfully reached their goals by earning an education at Blue Ridge CTC!
I was given many opportunities to help me succeed at Blue Ridge CTC
“My program required an internship that helped me understand what my career entailed and advanced my career path.”
“Blue Ridge CTC is giving me the opportunity to get a head start on my career through education. I learn more each week about starting and running a business.”
“Best thing about when you graduate from Blue Ridge you already have hands-on experience with the field of work your going in. You essentially work your last semester at your internship. More than likely you will have a job already when you graduate.”
“I was able to succeed at Blue Ridge CTC because of the kind faculty and staff, the access to computer labs, and having a Financial Aid team on site.”
“My education and training at Blue Ridge CTC led to me receiving a pay raise at my job. I was able to receive an associate degree to formalize my knowledge for my career field.”
“Having online course options at Blue Ridge CTC was the perfect fit for my life.”
“Attending school at Blue Ridge CTC helped me improve my English, as I am a non-native speaker.”
“Blue Ridge CTC made it possible for me to work and go to school. There was also a greate sense of community with people from so many different backgrounds and ages all trying to achieve the same goal.”
“At Blue Ridge I was treated with respect and patience. Everyone was understanding and willing to guide me along my process to obtain my Associates.”
“I made some great friends at BRCTC, and my professors were invaluable in helping to ensure my transition to a four-year institution.”
“My instructors all knew me by name and I felt like more than a number. I transferred to a four-year institution after BRCTC and felt prepared.”
“Everyone was always so nice and helpful. I made a lot of new friends. I would recommend this college to anyone!”
“My professors gave all of the students in my class the care they needed to succeed.”
“I feel like I fit in at Blue Ridge CTC. The school is nice, and the people are all professional and treat you like an independent adult. You are respected, and it is a good environment to be in.”
“BRCTC is small enough that all of the professors know your name and help you when you need it. You don’t feel like just a number like at some four-year institutions.”
“Having the ability to take my classes online via Zoom was the perfect scenario for me.”
“The instructors are amazing. I also received assistance when my family was in financial need with dry goods and food.”
“The staff at Blue Ridge CTC was phenomenal and helped five me a great experience as a kid who will be first in my family to graduate.”
“My professors were understanding and worked with me to ensure I succeded.”
“My professor encouraged me to apply for a new job and take the leap toward the next stage of my career.”
“Blue Ridge CTC makes education accessible to anyone and is teaching the next generation of professionals.”
“The English instructors were great!”
“I loved the class sizes, teachers, the communication between instructors, and the overall sense of wellbeing at Blue Ridge CTC. “
Explore other program options that may meet your skills, talents, and personal qualities.
Have questions about the Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program? We can help!
When selecting an Occupational Development: Child Development Specialist program ensure the program offers:
Students obtain knowledge of different stages of child development, Human Growth & Development, Health, Nutrition and Safety, Assessment of Young Children, and more.
Blue Ridge CTC’s associate degree in Occupational Development- Child Care Specialist curriculum is relevant to the needs of industry and develops foundational skills to enter or advance in the workforce.
Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs. BRCTC cannot guarantee that job titles or the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive. Two year completion is approximate and based on full-time enrollment. Student testimonials, income statements, and examples on the College website are the results of real students. These testimonials are not intended to guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her desire, commitment, dedication, and motivation to pursue academic and workforce opportunities. Testimonials are not intended to create a contract between a student and the College.
