Early Childhood Education Certificate

Our Early Childhood Education Certificate can help you lay the foundation for a career as an educator working with young children in as little as three quarters.  Throughout your Certificate curriculum, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to create a positive and thriving learning environment for your students. 

Our expedited and foundational Certificate curriculum is designed to give you the skills you need to help you successfully start your career as an educator in a short amount of time.

View courses and cost per credit for our Early Childhood Education Certificate. Courses, course names, and cost per credit may vary by location. Download your state specific catalog for more information.

Choose your state to see your full course listing:


Early Childhood Education Certificate Course List

Major and Core Courses

Career Development

The course is designed to study the personal and professional characteristics necessary for obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. The student will assemble a complete job-seeking portfolio including his/her resume and references, letters of application and appreciation, documentation of work and educational history, and demonstration of skills through examples of student work. The course includes an in-depth study of self-marketing approaches, job interviewing techniques and professionalism as well as participation in a mock interview.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: E242
Credits: 2

Foundations of Child Development

This course will explore characteristics of children at different ages, children's developmental needs, and the foundation of early childhood education. Students will learn the fundamentals of developmentally appropriate practice as it relates to child development, individual needs, building self-esteem in children, and using interpersonal skills and communication within the classroom and center. Students will study the function of the family, and the cultural, social, class, and ethnic variations in the family as a social system.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: EC100
Credits: 4

Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction

This course promotes the development of young children in the academic, social, and emotional domains. It examines developmentally appropriate methods for writing and assessing behavioral objectives, lesson plans, and activity goals. Various curriculum models will be reviewed. Strategies to enhance parent and family involvement will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Foundations of Child Development

Course ID: EC110
Credits: 4

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

This course examines the role of early childhood professionals working in the field via the policies and procedures governed by the state. Students will learn guidelines for establishing safe environments. They will also learn strategies for implementing health policies, controlling disease, establishing proper nutrition, and responding to children's special health concerns. Students will carry out a 2-hour field observation in the field of education.

Prerequisite: Foundations of Child Development

Course ID: EC120
Credits: 4

Knowledge: Externship I

Under externship supervision, the student will observe and implement developmentally appropriate practices while interacting with children and adults.

Prerequisite: none

Course ID: EC180
Credits: 6

Application: Externship II

Students continue their externship experience in an early childhood setting. The focus is on developmentally appropriate practices and leadership.

Prerequisite: Knowledge: Externship I

Course ID: EC181
Credits: 6

Reflection: Externship III

Students will complete their externship experience in an early childhood setting. The focus is on developmentally appropriate practices and leadership.

Prerequisite: Application: Externship II

Course ID: EC182
Credits: 6

Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education

Students will explore effective strategies for observation and assessment in early childhood education. They will understand the observation, assessment, and planning cycle and its impact on promoting children's development.

Prerequisites: Foundations of Child Development; Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction; Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Course ID: EC200
Credits: 4

Early Childhood Education Capstone

Students will integrate the knowledge and skills gained from coursework in the Early Childhood Education program. They will complete a capstone project that integrates knowledge and skills in child development, health and nutrition, curriculum and instruction, observation and assessment, and other areas relevant to the field.

Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education student in last or second-to-last quarter.

Co-requisite: Freshman Seminar

Course ID: EC290
Credits: 2

General Education Courses

Foundation Courses

Reading and Writing Strategies

This course develops students' reading and writing skills in preparation for college-level coursework. Through review of grammar, punctuation, and the writing process, students will enhance their ability to compose sentences, paragraphs, and short essays. The study of active reading strategies will provide students with the tools necessary for comprehending collegiate level texts.

Prerequisite: Placement determined by placement test score.

Course ID: B080
Credits: 4

Foundations of Math

This course is a study of the fundamentals of mathematics in the following areas: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Prerequisite: Placement determined by placement test score.

Course ID: B099
Credits: 4

Total Certificate credits: 38*

*Credit totals do not include Foundation Courses. Students must either demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in Foundation Courses through a STEP placement exam or by successful completion of Foundation Courses.

Calculate the cost per credit for the degree you're interested in.

Our on-time completion and placement rates exceed the national averages of 22% and 74%, respectively. With our SUPPORT+ team members working one-on-one with you, including our student advisors and career services advisors, we help support your success. Contact a program manager to learn more about how you can become a Rasmussen College graduate.
On-time Completion Rate

68%

Rasmussen Placement Rate

100%

Loan and Financial Aid Section

Our SUPPORT+ team will help you complete your financial aid application and review your financial aid award letter. Contact a financial services advisor to discuss your individual needs and goals.

Federal Student Loans

$9,458

Private Loans

$0

Institutional Loans

$0

Tuition and Fees Section

The tuition shown is the full tuition cost and does not reflect scholarships, grants, loans, or any credit transfers-all of which can lower your tuition cost. Contact a program manager to discuss your unique situation and tuition costs for your degree.

Books & Supplies

$900

Room & Board

$0

SOC Code
25-2011.00Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
25-9041.00Teacher Assistants
 
 
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