Bevill State Community College's Child Development program has established transfer agreements with The University of Alabama, Auburn University, and Athens State University. These agreements allow Child Development program graduates to transfer their two-year degree credits to these four-year schools to earn Bachelor's and Master's degrees in similar programs. Degrees offered at the four-year universities include Early Childhood Development at The University of Alabama, Child Development at Auburn University, and Early Childhood Education at Athens State University.

The Child Development program prepares individuals to work in settings that care for and educate children. Participants are taught the essentials of designing curriculum, creating lesson plans and introducing activities that are developmentally appropriate for children. Individuals are instructed in the necessary skills of observation and assessment, positive discipline and reinforcement, and the power of listening and communicating. In addition, Child Development participants learn CPR, first aid, safety and nutrition. In 2004, child care workers held about 1.3 million jobs. Career opportunities vary widely within the childcare field and many individuals begin the child development program with the goal of directing or owning a daycare. Others choose this career path in order to become certified to teach in a preschool, work as a Head Start teacher or as an aide in the public school system. Career opportunities for individuals with Child Development, Early Childhood Development, and Early Childhood Education degrees include kindergarten through third grade teacher, Head Start director, Head Start teacher, Office of School Readiness Pre-K teacher, day care director, quality contractor trainer and nanny.

Many of Bevill State's Child Development courses may be taken online and several transfer degrees can be earned online. Scholarship opportunities also exist for students enrolled in Child Development. For more information about Bevill State's Child Development program, contact Grant Cockrell at (205) 387-0511 ext. 5710 or e-mail gcockrell@bscc.edu.