The Child Development Practitioner Program at California State University, Fresno will honor its first class of 13 practitioners for completing the new option on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Smittcamp Alumni House (2625 E. Keats Ave.).
The new 16 month year-round accelerated program for individuals working in infant, toddler, preschool, after-school and various child development programs, helps meet the growing demand for practitioners who are now required to have a degree, said Dr. Marianne Jones, child development practitioner coordinator at Fresno State.
Completion of the child development practitioner option means the candidates have completed all the major requirements for a bachelor of science in child development.
Jones said the accelerated CDP Option program, with evening courses, was tailored to the unique needs of working professionals in the child development field who currently work fulltime and are unable to participate in the traditional program.
“We were asked by practitioners to help them with their situation,” said Jones.
The Child Development Practitioner Program (CDP) was introduced in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology two years ago with its first classes beginning in fall, 2000.
Applicants are being accepted for next fall. Course requirements include oral and written assignments, on the job application and documentation, evening seminars and Saturday workshops.
For more information, contact Jones at 278-5310 or Rick Chacon at 278-2048.
Copy by University Relations intern Milagros Lujan, a mass communication and journalism major.
