Child Development Undergraduate Academic Certificate
The Child Development Certificate offers contemporary knowledge and skills for those interested in early childhood care and education. It paves the way for entry-level childcare employment or further academic studies, including early childhood education/special education, parenting, youth services, social work, and related fields. Individuals who complete the certificate will gain an understanding of early brain development and recognize the typical and atypical development of young children. They will learn to implement evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practices essential for working with young children and advocate for young children and their families' health and well-being.
All required coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better (O-10-a).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECDE 2100 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECDE 2340 | Infancy and Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECDE 2350 | Principles and Methods of Child Observation | 3 |
| ECDE 2540 | Middle Childhood Development | 3 |
| or ECDE 3400 | Parent-Child Relationships in Family and Community | |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Courses to total 12 credits for this certificate.
After completing the program, students will be able to understand the developmental period of early childhood from birth through age 8, value each child as an individual with unique developmental variations and recognize how child development and learning occur in multiple contexts.
Students will be able to apply knowledge of developmental milestones to support young children’s growth in physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains through developmentally appropriate interactions and practices.
Students will be able to analyze and apply observation methods to assess and document children’s development, using observations to inform best practices in early childhood settings.
Students will be able to recognize the influence of family, culture, and community on child development and be able to advocate for the well-being of young children and their families.