Program Outline
Instruction Sets
Your program consists of four Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the knowledge and skills you’ll use as a parent or child care giver.
Here's how it works
You receive the first course as soon as your enrollment has been accepted, and other courses will follow as you complete your exams.
Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need access to high-speed internet to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 10® or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running macOS® or later, and an email account to complete this program.
Note: Graduates of this program earn 6 college credits toward an A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education at Penn Foster College.
Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you will access your lessons:
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Program Goal and Outcomes
Program Goal: The Career Certificate program provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of psychology and a more specific understanding of the psychological makeup of children and adolescents.
Program Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Develop more effective personal communication skills in the use and selection of words, gestures, tone of voice, facial expressions, listening skills, and physical appearance
- Recognize the psychological aspects of oneself and others
- Identify patterns of growth, change, and stability that occur in a person’s life from conception through adolescence, including those of genetics, psychology, the physical environment, and social and cultural influences
- Describe the widespread and often deeply troubling world of childhood and adolescent disorders
Instruction Set 1
Starting Your Program
Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. Understand how to use your Student Portal. Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers. Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
Child Development
Introduces students to a variety of theories about growth and development and describes the principles of this growth and development as it occurs in children from infancy to 12 years of age.
Instruction Set 2
Essentials of Psychology
This course covers the psychology of biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality and gender, stress, and community influences.
Textbook: Psychology and Your Life with P.O.W.E.R. Learning
Instruction Set 3
Child Psychology
Presents a variety of theoretical viewpoints to provide students with a well-balanced view of a child’s developmental process from birth through adolescence. Includes current studies and research that provide an understanding of the principal topics of child psychology as well as recent trends in socially relevant problem areas.
Textbook: Childhood and Adolescence: Voyages in Development
Instruction Set 4
Abnormal Child Psychology
This lesson will help you better understand the widespread and often deeply troubling world of childhood and adolescent disorders.
Textbook: Abnormal Child & Adolescent Psychology
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Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and to assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School International.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
This program is designed for enrichment purposes only. It does not have a direct vocational outcome. Students who complete this program are not qualified to function as child psychologists and cannot market themselves as mental health professionals.
A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.