Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


Academic Information

This undergraduate certificate is no longer offered at the Estrella Mountain Community College, Phoenix Community College, or the South Mountain Community College Campuses. See the Campus Availability tab below for alternate plan campus options.

The undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education is offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning.

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


Careers

What Can I Do with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education?

This certificate includes early chldhood courses and practica that lead to an Arizona State Department of Education Early Childhood Endorsement. The endorsement, along with a valid Elementary or Special Education teaching certificate, licenses teachers for birth through 3rd grade classrooms. This certificate program is an optional concentration area for Elementary Education majors. Each of the classes in this program has been selected to meet the specific requirements of the AZ State Board of Education for early childhood teaching.

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 37
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Student Teaching/Supervised Teaching Required

Purpose Statement

The BSEd Elementary with Certificate that Leads to Endorsement degree program, leads to Arizona teacher certification in K-8 and endorsement (through the Arizona Department of Education) in birth through grade 3. It provides candidates with the necessary foundation to teach preschool and primary school-aged children (birth through 3rd grade). It also provides candidates with the necessary foundation to teach in K-8th grade classrooms. This nationally recognized program emphasizes sound pedagogical practices while stressing the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to confidently enter the field of education. Candidates engage in a purposeful program of study grounded in theory and infused with practical experiences in schools. Candidates pursue foundational coursework in mathematics, educational foundations, political science, bilingual and multi-cultural education, educational psychology, special education, and curriculum and instruction. Throughout the program of study, students participate in rich practica experiences (180 hours of which are in the birth through age four environment) and the degree culminates with student teaching in kindergarten through grade three placements.
 
Throughout the program of study, candidates demonstrate outcomes aligned to standards affiliated with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium. Nationally recognized by  NAEYC, the program is designed to:  promote child development and learning, build family and community relationships, use a variety of assessment strategies to support young children and families, use developmentally effective teaching and learning approaches, use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum, and identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession.
 
Candidates who complete this program will be prepared to join the next wave of elementary and early childhood educators—people who will dramatically shape and influence the lives of children in educational venues, as well as non-profits, state and national agencies, and other venues where specialized coursework in early childhood is required or preferred for the position.

Student Learning Outcomes (I)

Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC).
 
Grounded in a strong child development knowledge base this degree program enables candidates to use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning.  This knowledge prepares the candidates to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.

 
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that successful early childhood education depends upon partnerships with children’s families and communities. They know about, understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their children’s development and learning. 
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment are central to the practice of all early childhood professionals. They know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to influence the development of every child in a positive manner. 
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs understand that teaching and learning with young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on children’s ages, characteristics, and the settings within which teaching and learning occur. They understand and use positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children and families. Candidates know, understand, and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each child’s development and learning. 
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs use their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for each and every young child. Candidates understand the importance of developmental domains and academic (or content) disciplines in early childhood curriculum. They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas, including academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding. Candidates use their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every young child.Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources. They are informed advocates for sound educational practices and policies. 
Student Learning Outcomes (II)

Outcomes align with Standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the Association for Childhood Education International, and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium                               
Field Experiences and Clincial Practice Standard 
Field experiences and clinical practice are planned and sequenced so that candidates develop the knowledge, skills and professional dispositions necessary to promote the development and learning of young children across the entire developmental period of early childhood – in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth – age 3, 3 through 5, 5 through 8 years) and in the variety of settings that offer early education (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs).

Opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of the three main types of early education settings (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs).

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


Details

Certificate Requirements
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Education

Department of Teaching and Learning

Early Childhood Education, Undergraduate Certificate


Campus Availability

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