Field experiences and lab hours are different experiences associated with some of our courses. Field experiences are course-specific and include various experiences in the field as related to each associated course. The following courses have required 16 hours field experiences: TECA/CDEC 1303, TECA/CDEC 1311 and TECA/CDEC 1318. In the degree plan of Associates of Arts in teaching; EDUC 1301 and EDUC 2301 each have 16 hours of field experiences in an public/private school setting in four different area like elementary, middle and high school plus administrative and special populations. 

Lab requirements are to be completed in all of the Child Development courses except for TECA/CDEC 1354. The following courses require 16 hours of lab: CDEC 1321, CDEC 1356, CDEC 1358, CDEC 1359, CDEC 2307 and CDEC 2341. The following courses require 32 hours of lab: CDEC 1413, CDEC 1417, CDEC 1419, CDEC 2422, CDEC 2424 and CDEC 2426.

A portion of workplace hours for Child Development courses are expected to be completed externally at a University/Lab School Child Development Center (CDC) for all students (if one is within 30 miles range). If there is no University/Lab School CDC within range, the required external hours will be coordinated with a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited or Department of Defense (DOD) CDC other than the student's current facility to provide the student with varied perspectives. Externally required hours as follows:

• The student will be given one-half credit towards required hours for working full time directly with children ages 0-8 years.
• Students working full time directly with children ages 0-8 will completed one half (8/16 hours) of the lab hours and requirements externally in the defined setting. The additional 8/16 hours and requirements may be completed internally at student’s workplace.
• Additional one-quarter credit towards required lab hours for working in a NAEYC accredited, DOD CDC.
• Students working full time directly with children ages 0-8 will completed one quarter (2/4 hours) of the lab hours and requirements externally in the defined setting. The additional 6/12 hours and requirements may be completed internally at student’s workplace.
• Students not working full time directly with children ages 0-8 will complete all hours and requirements externally in the defined setting (8/16 hours).
• Students enrolled in Internship will have to complete a total of 144 hours at their place of employment or if not employed, the student will have to complete the hours at a University/Lab School CDC, NAEYC accredited or DOD center.

Labs and field experiences are the same for online students as well as local students.  The lab hours are specific to each course and are to be done with the age group and/or content relevant to the course.  For Infant and Toddler Course or CDEC 1321, the student will conduct lab hours and observations with children 0-3 years of age. For the School-Age Child or CDEC 2341, the student will conduct lab hours and observations in an after school program like YMCA, Youth Centers, Boy's and Girl's Club or another school-age program with ages 5-12 years of age. 

Students should follow the guidelines for lab and field experience requirements outlined in each individual course. Contact Janeen Garza at Janeen.garza@ctcd.edu, 254-526-1682 to request additional information.