The Early Childhood Education Certificate Program has been designed to develop expertise in professionals working with children from ages three through eight, which translates to pre-kindergarten through grade three. This program provides a broad spectrum of early childhood education courses, all strongly influenced by the beliefs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and built on the Nebraska Department of Education endorsement standards. The program combines theory with observation and participation in clinical, community and school practicum settings. The program recognizes that early childhood development is a process of accommodation between the child, the teacher, and the child's environment. Students in the program will learn to translate content and pedagogical knowledge into practice. This, along with many diverse field experiences, will prepare the prospective teacher to understand and implement developmentally appropriate practice in the variety of environments affecting the young child.
Early Childhood Education Certificate requirements (18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 556 | Foundations and Best Practices of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 557 | Investigating Critical and Contemporary Trends and Issues in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 558 | Content and Methods Specific to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 559 | Significant Concepts for Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 560 | Assessment, Observation, Screening and Evaluation in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 561 | Becoming an Early Childhood Teaching Professional | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |