Early Childhood Education

Professional Certificate

About the Early Childhood Education Program

Overview

Certificate Guidelines

Conditions for Admission

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Illuminate the path for Early Learners

The first 5 years of a child’s life are fundamental in shaping their overall development. Illuminate the path for early learners by helping lay the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

The Early Childhood Education Certificate will equip you with 24 semester units* (36 quarter units) of foundational knowledge and skills needed to support an inclusive environment for diverse young learners. Building from the ground up, you will acquire best practices relating to the CDE Foundations of Preschool Learning and how to incorporate age and developmentally appropriate curriculum. By providing children with a solid springboard, you will help ensure that they develop the social, emotional, creative and cognitive tools they need to be successful in school and life.

*The 24 semester units can be used to apply for a CTC Child Development Permit.*

What you will learn:

The biological, physical, social-emotional and cognitive development of children
Developmentally Appropriate Practices that address cultural and developmental differences
Methods for engaging and partnering with families and community to foster a collaborative relationship between home and school
Language and literacy development and strategies for working with English learners
Importance of play-based learning environments
Positive behavior support
Child observation and assessment
Reflective teaching practices within a co-teaching model

All candidates who wish to receive the Early Childhood Education Certificate are required to:
1. Complete the application for the Early Childhood Education certificate program
2. Pay the certificate fee
3. Complete all the required online courses with a grade of a "C" or better
4. Coursework must be completed within 5 years of beginning the program

EDUC 42408 Child Growth and Development and EDUC 42410 Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood are required prerequisites for all the other courses throughout the program. All courses must be completed prior to enrolling in EDUC 42416 Early Education Portfolio.

This program is designed for:
1. Individuals preparing for a teaching role in an early childhood education setting
2. Teachers with a Multiple Subjects’ teaching credential who need to meet California Transitional Kindergarten (TK) requirements
3. Care providers seeking an in-depth understanding of their child’s development and how to best encourage growth through the various stages of early childhood

Format: Online

Estimated Cost: $4,000

Duration: 12 months

Contact

Department: Education
Phone: 858-534-9286
Email: unexeduc@ucsd.edu

Courses

All 8 courses are required
EDUC 42408 Child Growth and Development and EDUC 42410 Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood are required prerequisites for all the other courses within the program. All courses must be completed prior to enrolling in EDUC 42416 Early Education Portfolio.

Child Growth and DevelopmentEDUC-42408

Units: 4.50

$500

In this course, individuals will explore the developmental stages of children ages 0-5 and the key factors that play a major part in foundational growth and development. Over the course of four weeks,...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

March 25, 2024

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early ChildhoodEDUC-42410

Units: 4.50

$500

This course, Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood, prepares individuals to best support students and families and create quality early learning environments in early childhood. Ind...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

May 6, 2024

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

The Importance of Home, School and Community CollaborationEDUC-42411

Units: 4.50

$500

This course focuses on effective collaboration and communication skills for members of young learner s support team. This team includes teacher and staff, significant family members, service providers...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

March 25, 2024

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Intentional Teaching Practices in Early Childhood SettingsEDUC-42415

Units: 4.50

$500

This course covers ideology to design, equip, plan, and implement engaging learning environments for supporting developmental goals and knowledge. Learn about and observe optimal curricula and learnin...

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Upcoming Start Dates:

May 6, 2024

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.

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Early Childhood Education

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About the Early Childhood Education Program

Format: Online

Estimated Cost: $4,000

Duration: 12 months

Contact