Working with Exceptional Children Specialization
Certificate of Achievement Child Development and Education · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Designed to prepare students to work with children with special needs in early childhood and inclusive settings. This includes strategies for inclusion, recognizing atypical development and special populations and their needs, adapting curriculum, and empowering educators to support families. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- Pathway for future Special Education teachers, and satisfies the specialization unit requirement for the Child Development Permit at the Master Teacher level. In conjunction with core units, the holder can be employed as a Preschool teacher, if paired with Child Development Lead Teacher certificate, holder can be employed as Lead Preschool Teacher or Mentor Teacher.
Requirements
Review Certificate Requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CDE A174 | Collaborating with Families in Inclusive Environments | 3 |
| CDE A210 | Introduction to the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| CDE A211 | Strategies for Inclusion | 3 |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Select one course: | 2 | |
| ALH A112 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavioral Analysis | |
| CDE A112 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavioral Analysis | |
| SLPA A112 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavioral Analysis | |
| Total Units | 11 | |
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| CDE A210 | Introduction to the Exceptional Child |
| CDE A211 | Strategies for Inclusion |
| ALH A112or CDE A112or SLPA A112 | Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavioral Analysisor Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavioral Analysisor Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Applied Behavioral Analysis |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| CDE A174 |