Students will learn foundational skills in the early childhood education (ECE) field to prepare them for careers in a variety of ECE settings. The ECE certificate will require the completion of 13 credits, which may be completed in one academic year. All coursework will be delivered in an online format. The proposed certificate meets the requirements for clock hours of formal child care education required for the CDA® credential. Students must still complete additional requirements and apply to the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition to earn the CDA® credential.
The Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (Iowa AEYC) is a good resource for individuals entering this field:
- Online pathways to early childhood
- Early childhood education framework for administration roles
- Early childhood education framework for teaching roles
- Careers in early childhood
Awards Available
Certificate
A certificate is awarded following successful completion of a select group of career courses in a four- to six-month format.
- Early Childhood: Certificate
- Early Childhood (teacher licensure) Transfer Major: Associate of Arts degree
Potential Careers
- Teacher of young children in childcare centers and private preschool programs
- Assistant teacher in Head Start, Shared Visions, and state-wide voluntary preschool programs
- Provider of home-based services such as a family childcare provider or home visitor
- Director of a center-based childcare program
Sample Courses
- ECE 103 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- ECE 133 Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
- ECE 243 Early Childhood Guidance
- ECE 106 Child Development Associate Standards
- ECE 221 Infant/Toddler Care Education
- ECE 158 Early Childhood Curriculum I
- ECE 159 Early Childhood Curriculum II
Click on the course number in the list above to view the course description. This may not be a complete list of courses that may be included for the Early Childhood Education program. To see all courses in a semester-by-semester plan, view the Early Childhood Education program course outline.
Degree requirement advising sheet
Contact:
CDA/professional certification questions - Kristie Nixon, ECE program director
Advising/course registration questions: Deb Pantini, director of student development