Certificate Program Objectives

Students completing this certificate program will have 18 graduate credits in early chidhood education. They will be able to:

1. Share their knowledge with others in early childhood programs.
2. Lead early childhood professionals to improve the quality of teaching in early childhood programs.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree completed before graduate study begins in early childhood or related field (documentation of experience in the field of early childhood or related field (documentation of experience in the field of early childhood is required if bachelor’s degree is in another field).
2. Official copies of transcripts of college work (graduate and undergraduate.
3. Three recommendations from individuals who can attest to the qualifications of the applicant for admission to this program.
4. A personal statement describing one’s interest in family and child advocacy and any prior leadership experience.
5. Requirements may be substituted depending on a student’s background and experience. Consultation with a faculty advisor is required to determine if a substitution is appropriate.
6. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Policies Governing Certificate Admission Criteria and Subsequent Admission to Graduate Degree Programs

The certificate admission criteria and policies governing the relation of certificates to graduate degree programs include the following:

1. Non-degree UNCW graduate students who wish to pursue the certificate program must apply for admission to the program before 10 approved credit hours are completed.
2. No transfer credit from another institution will be counted toward the completion of the certificate program with the exception of courses offered as part of an agreement between the certificate program and regionally accredited institutions.
3. A certificate graduate student may register on either a part-time or a full-time basis.

Certificate Requirements (18 credit hours)

Select 18 credits from the following list in collaboration with an advisor:

• EDN 503 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3)
• EDN 512 Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education (3)
• EDN 521 Diverse Families and Children in Communities (3)
• EDN 502 Advanced Culturally Relevant Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary Program (3)
• EDN 570 Early Intervention and Child Development (3)

One of the following (Leadership and Administration):

• EDN 513 Organization and Development of Early Childhood Programs (3)
• EDN 501 Budget and Finance in Early Childhood Programs (3)
• EDN 523 Advanced Administration of Early Childhood Programs (3)