Program Overview

Early Childhood Education Certificate

The Early Childhood Education certificate is designed for students who have completed the Human Development major within the past 10 years and are living in the state of Washington. To be eligible, students must have satisfied the necessary prerequisites and maintain an overall GPA of 2.6 in courses required for the certificate.

Program Description

The online Early Childhood Education certificate develops students' understanding of how various educational approaches, social policies, and prevention/intervention strategies influence the development of children, youth, and families. The program addresses the complex ways in which child development is influenced by biological, family, neighborhood, school, and community factors, and how this knowledge can be applied to designing innovative and effective programs for young children and their families.

Potential Careers

The Early Childhood Education certificate prepares students for careers in institutions and settings that focus on young children. Graduates have been employed at child care centers, pre-school settings, Child Protective Services, and crisis nurseries.

Program of Study

Required Courses

All courses are 3 semester credits, unless noted. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.6 in those courses that count toward the certificate.

• HD 235 – Introduction to Early Childhood Programs
• HD 302 – Parent-Child Relationships (Prereq: Sophomore standing)
• HD 306 – Child Development (Prereq: HD 101, Sophomore standing)
• HD 341 – Guidance in Early Childhood Programs (Prereq: HD 306)
• HD 342 – Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs (4 credits with community-based practicum; Prereq: HD 235; HD 341)
• HD 482 [M] – Child Assessment and Evaluation (Prereq: HD 306; Junior standing)
• HD 445 – Early Childhood Professional Preparation seminar (Prereq: HD 342, department permission)
• HD 446 – Practicum in Early Childhood Programs (6 credits with community-based practicum; Prereq: HD 342, HD 445, by department permission)

Transfer Credits

The maximum number of credit hours earned at other institutions that may apply towards a WSU certificate shall not exceed ¼ of the total number of credit hours required for the certificate.