Children with Special Needs Specialization
Certificate of Achievement Early Childhood Education · Yuba College · 2026-2027 Catalog
This certificate will prepare students to work in the child care field, focusing on children with special needs, including California State funded and Head Start programs. This Certificate of Achievement can be used as an ECE Specialization when combined with the Child Development Certificate of Achievement and ECE 37 (Adult Supervision). Students can then apply for the Child Development Master Teacher Permit issued by the Commission on Teaching Credentialing. For the Master Teacher Permit, 350 days of 3 or more hours per day of experience is required.
Students who complete this program should be able to:
- Recognize the importance of early childhood as a unique time in children’s development that requires specialized developmentally appropriate activities, routines, interactions, and guidance.
- Plan and implement a curriculum for children with special needs based on a blend of routine caregiving and play/exploration activities.
- Learn and practice professional ethics, personal and social responsibility, and effective team membership in their work as child care professionals.
Required courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ECE-1A | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| ECE-1B | Introduction to Curriculum | 3 |
| ECE-3 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE-10 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECE-11 | Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| ECE-17 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECE-18 | Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs | 3 |
| ECE-27 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ECE-31 | Child, Family, Community | 3 |
| ECE-46C | Practicum-Field Exp-Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| Total units required for certificate | 30 | |