Early Childhood Education - Associate Teacher Certificate Program
Program Overview
Early Childhood Education - Associate Teacher
The Early Childhood Education - Associate Teacher program is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge needed to become an Associate Teacher in a preschool or child care setting, for children birth to five years. This online certificate meets the 12 ECE/CD semester units needed for the California CTC Associate Teacher permit.
Program Overview
This program is perfect for individuals preparing for a teaching role in early childhood education and care, educators with a passion for young children, professionals who need the Associate Teacher ECE/CD coursework requirements for California Title 5 and Title 22 regulations and Child Development permits, care providers seeking an in-depth understanding of their child's development, and teachers with a Multiple Subjects' teaching credential who need to meet Transitional Kindergarten (TK) requirements.
What You Can Learn
- Explore theories and the scientific study of child growth and development
- Discover the history and development of early childhood programs and differences in philosophy and approach
- Examine the social and cultural dynamics between a young child, their family, and the community
- Learn to design, equip, and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment for young children
- Become aware and reflective of family and community differences in language, culture, and values
- Learn to apply individually and culturally appropriate practices in all settings with children and families
About This Program
Early childhood educators play an important role in supporting foundational cognitive, social, and emotional development to the youngest of our communities. This online certificate will support students along the path of this rewarding career, providing the core courses needed for an entry-level teaching position in the care, development, and education of young children.
Curriculum
The four required courses, totaling 18 quarter units (equivalent to 12 semester units), offer current developmental theory and appropriate practice, and meet the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) permit requirements and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines for Associate ECE teachers. The program offers a social justice emphasis, for teachers looking to the future of our 20th-century world, and those who work in traditionally underserved communities.
Outcomes
Upon completion of this certificate program, students will be qualified to work in a private child care facility (CA Title 22). To work in a public child care facility (CA Title 5), students must also obtain a CTC Child Development permit, which requires these courses. Program curriculum also counts towards Transitional Kindergarten (TK) requirements for teachers who already have a Multiple Subjects' teaching credential and want to teach 4-year-olds in elementary schools.
Cost and Fees
- Application and Candidacy Fee: $200
- Estimated Textbooks and Materials: $154
- Estimated Program Tuition: $2436
Payment Options
- Not eligible for VA Benefit
- Federal Financial Aid is not available
How to Get Started
Courses in this program are open enrollment and paid for individually. Students have the option to begin taking courses before committing to the program. Establishing candidacy in the program has its benefits, including receiving tailored information, locking in course requirements, and accessing exclusive student benefits.
Certificate Benefits
Benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students include:
- Advising and support from a UCLA Extension academic advisor
- Access to Handshake, UCLA Career Center's online job board
- Become a member of the UCLA Alumni Association (upon completing the certificate)
- Join us for the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus
- Get access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate
- Open an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card for a number of student-related benefits
- Receive a printed certificate mailed after completion of the final class, plus notation of the certificate program on the UCLA Extension transcript
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Observation: Students are expected to observe or participate with young children in assignments for every course.
- Grades: A letter grade of C or better in each course is required for California ECE Permits, as well as successful completion of the certificate.
- English Proficiency: Professional-level English language proficiency in listening, note-taking, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression is required.
Previous Coursework
No previous coursework or experience is required to begin this certificate. If students have completed previous coursework and wish to apply it toward this certificate, they may be able to transfer up to 25% of certificate units.
Required Courses
- EDUC X 21: Child Development/Desarrollo Infantil
- EDUC X 22: The Young Child in the Family and Community/El Niño Pequeño en la Familia y Comunidad
- EDUC X 23: Foundations of Early Care and Education: An Introduction to Teaching Young Children/Introducción a la Enseñanza de Niños Pequeños
- EDUC X 24: Introduction to Curriculum and Learning Environments/Introducción al Currículo y Ambientes de Aprendizaje
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