Certificate in Early Childhood Education
A perfect fit for anyone who has a passion for working with – and improving the lives of – young children.
Education – Certificate
Certificate in Early Childhood Education
Offered as an Academic Certification
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate provides a pathway for students and practicing early learning professionals to sharpen their skills in working with young children (birth to eight). Students will scale up their professionalism and leadership qualities in early childhood settings and gain meaningful continuing education credits which can be applied to future degrees. The certificate offers a variety of topics (28-35 credits) that are relevant to promoting early learning in positive ways as well as building relationships and connecting with children with diverse backgrounds for inclusive practices. Our course outcomes are aligned with the Personnel Preparation Competencies. (Please see the course offerings for more details.)
Course contents are organized by the fundamental knowledge and up-to-date information following the NAEYC’s early childhood professional standards competencies:
Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning
Standard 2: Building Family and Community Relationships in Diverse Contexts
Standard 3: Observing, Documenting and Assessing Young Children
Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches
Standard 5: Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
Standard 6: Becoming Professional and Professionalism
Relevant Elective(s)
Degree Fit
Program Preparation
The ECE Certificate is for students who are majoring in related areas (e.g., Education Studies, Psychology, Nursing, etc.) and/or any community early learning professionals who work with young children (birth to eight) and their families. This certificate will provide critical knowledge and skills that are important for early learning professionals to practice before and during their work with young children in and out of the classroom.
Degree Roadmap
Participants will have the opportunity to choose courses of interest from each category in the program roadmap. Completion of this program will take between three and seven terms depending on individual schedules and timelines. We encourage busy students and current working professionals to take one to two courses per term to maintain a balanced workload. The content of the coursework will provide the theoretical foundations and competencies that help learners build their basic understanding of child development and early learning, and tools to support professionals in their work with young children and their families. Students should plan to complete a minimum of one practicum experience in an early childhood setting as part of this program (25-30 hours).
Degree Integration
Upon completing the certificate, participants may be interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development. We are always thrilled to welcome new students! Please contact K.C. Sam at samk@sou.edu to discuss program prerequisites and next steps!
Guided Pathways
Contact: Dr. Younghee Kim –Ìý541.541.8914 –Ìýkimy@sou.edu
Associate Degree Paths
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