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Charles Quintela
Director of Teacher Education Programs
The Bachelor’s in Child Development at Odessa College prepares students to become leaders in early learning environments including childcare centers, Head Start programs, and private early education programs.
This program focuses on child growth, family engagement, program administration, and curriculum planning for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.
Graduates develop the knowledge and professional skills needed to work as an early childhood development specialist supporting children, families, and educators in a variety of learning settings.
Disclaimer: The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education & Teaching – Child Development at Odessa College provides comprehensive training in early childhood education but does not currently lead to teacher certification in Texas. Read more HERE.
Pathway: From Associate’s to Bachelor’s Degree
Students follow a stackable pathway designed for working professionals.
Step 1: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Child Development
Focus: classroom practices, child guidance, and family interaction
Step 2: Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education & Teaching – Child Development
Focus: leadership, program management, and advanced child development theory
This pathway allows students to advance after an associate’s in child development without restarting their degree progress.
Stackable Credentials
Students may begin with:
- CDA (Child Development Associate)
- Level I & II Certificates
- Associate Degree
Each credential builds toward the bachelor’s in child development, helping students increase responsibility and earning potential throughout their career.
Benefits of the Bachelor's ECET Child Development Pathway
- Emphasis on child development theory, program administration, and advocacy
- Aligns with TECPDS (Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System) and licensing standards
- Ideal for working professionals with flexible online and hybrid coursework
Career Opportunities
The pathway of the Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and Teaching - Child Development is designed for students not seeking teacher certification, but instead entering or advancing within the early care and education sector.
Graduates are prepared for:
- Childcare center director or site manager
- Head Start lead teacher or program coordinator
- Infant/toddler or preschool curriculum specialist
- Family childcare home owner/operator
- Quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) specialist or mentor teacher
Certification Disclaimer
Completion of either the Bachelor's ECET EC–3 or the Bachelor's ECET Child Development program does not result in automatic teacher certification. Graduates who wish to pursue teacher certification must apply to and complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) or Alternative Certification Program (ACP) following graduation.
- Completion of this degree alone will not qualify you to take the Texas teacher certification exam
- Additional steps and requirements are necessary to obtain teacher certification
- Our team has resources available to help guide you through the certification process
Odessa College is actively pursuing approval for an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Once approved, this program would provide a pathway to teacher certification. However, we have not yet received EPP approval from TEA.
We are committed to transparency throughout this process. A formal announcement will be made immediately upon receiving TEA approval.
If you have questions about your pathway to certification or the resources available to support you, please contact Charles Quintela at cquintela@odessa.edu.
Last Updated: 02.18.2026