Allegheny, Boyce, North, South
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 to create, implement and evaluate developmentally effective experiences for children and their families.
2. Work with children of diverse ages, abilities and cultures in multiple field experiences in child care and educational environments as they identify community resources to support children and their families.
3. Apply appropriate observation and assessment strategies to positively influence children’s development and learning as they employ appropriate discipline terminology and professional tone in written and oral communication.

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 Criminal History Record (Act 114), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (Act 34) and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Record Check (Act 151) and meet local requirements of the field placement site.