Child Development, Certificate of Achievement

School of Education (ED)

CNM’s Child Development Certificate meets the entry level professional requirements to work in an early learning setting.

See Recommended Sequence of Courses

This certificate fulfills the coursework for the New Mexico Child Development Certificate. Students who complete the Child Development Certificate will be able to continue their coursework to pursue an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education (ECME) in the following degree concentrations:

• Birth - 3rd Teacher: This concentration is designed for educators working in early care and education as teachers, public school educational assistants or interested in becoming a licensed PreK- 3rd grade teacher in an elementary school by continuing to receive a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood.        
• Early Childhood Program Administration: This concentration is designed for administrators of early education programs. Students completing this degree can continue to a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood. 

Special Requirements

A background check will be required to complete all programs in Early Childhood, including the Child Development Certificate.

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition
• Books
• Program and Course Fees

Financial Aid Considerations

• This program is NOT  financial aid eligible.
  • FA Ineligible Programs at CNM
  • Although the program is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, there are some possible outside funding options (i.e. VA, DVR, institutional funding, etc.). For more information go to http://www.cnm.edu/depts/financial-aid.
  • May be eligible for funding from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Career Opportunities

Students who receive the Child Development Certificate are immediately employable upon graduation. Well-qualified educators are needed as early care and education teachers, educational assistants, Head Start assistant teachers, administrators, early interventionists, and home visitors. Students are encouraged to continue with the associate’s degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education for additional career opportunities.

Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses

Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.