Certificate

This program is for individuals who desire only specialized courses designed for working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. Students receive specialized training in the physical, emotional, social and cognitive care of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. They learn the job responsibilities of professionals and identify suitable employment situations and career opportunities.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate appropriate theories and practices, general and content knowledge and professional and pedagogical knowledge to create and implement developmentally appropriate experiences of children and their families.
2. Employ appropriate discipline terminology and professional tone in written and oral communication in descriptive and applied observation and documentation strategies to positively influence children’s growth and development.
3. Work with children of diverse ages and abilities and their families by participating in supervised practicum experiences in multiple types of inclusive childcare and educational environments.

Students can apply the credits earned in the certificate program toward a certificate or Associate degree in Early Education and Child Development. Upon completion of this program, graduates may seek employment as a preschool teacher or as an early childhood educational aide and can work in child care agencies, day care, pre-school programs, public and private schools, before and after school programs or private homes.

Weekly field observations and experiences are required throughout the course work in this program. Students must be eligible for clearances through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Clearance (Act 114),  Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (Act 34) and the Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Record Check (Act 151) and meet local requirements of the field placement site.