Early Childhood Education Foundations Certificate

Undergraduate Certificate: Early Childhood Foundations

Start your early childhood education career with an Early Childhood Foundations certificate — the first of five required to earn a BA in ECE. You’ll take eight courses that study young children’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. The curriculum also emphasizes ethics and trauma-informed practice.

NU — in collaboration with the National Head Start Agency (NHSA) — has created a pathway that integrates the BA in ECE degree requirements with General Education (GE) requirements to provide a more efficient and engaging path to an early childhood education degree. Certificates have themes: “Building Bridges;” “Advocate, Connect, Engage;” and “Moving Up.” Each focuses on specific content paired with GE courses to provide a more meaningful student experience.

Early childhood education certificates consist of eight courses and are usually completed in eight months. NHSA students with the CDA Credential will be eligible for credit for the following courses: ECE 201, ECE 210, and HED 220 (on the “Building Bridges” certificate). There may be other opportunities for prior learning credit in the “Moving Up” certificate.

National Head Start Agency (NHSA) students may ONLY participate in a certificate pathway to the BA ECE. See the “Certificate” section of the catalog for more detailed information.

Note: NHSA students with the CDA Credential will be eligible for credit for the following lower-division preparation-for-the-major courses: ECE 201, ECE 210, and HED 220.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.

Course Listing

Requirements for the Certificate

8 courses; 36 quarter units

Course Name

Overview of major and theoretical frameworks and perspectives. Focus on gender and cultural impact on biological, physical, cognitive, social, moral, emotional and behavioral aspects of development for effective educational practices.

Focus on the influence of family, school and community on development and education of the young child. Special emphasis on the role of nutrition, positive home and school environments and community resources.

Focus on cultural pluralism and its impact on development and education in regards to teaching and learning strategies. Emphasis on self-examination, reflection, and integration of current processes involved in interactions and relationships in society.

Focus on the eight components for coordinated health for young children in out-of-home care. Health, physical education, health and nutrition services, health promotion for the staff, counseling and psychological services, a safe healthy environment, and family involvement, and community resources and personnel will be addressed. Attention will be directed towards children with special needs and challenging behaviors as well as legal and ethical issues in the field of early childhood.

Prerequisite: ECE 201; ECE 210; HED 220; and ECE 211

Inquiry into the nature and tasks of early cognition including social, cultural and biological foundations. Attention paid to current research implications for learning theory, individual differences and classroom instruction.

Focus on local, state and federal statutes and regulations in early education settings. Emphasis on ethical codes of conduct, including analysis of legal and ethical dilemmas and practice.

Understand the impact of crisis, trauma and abuse on young children’s development. Examine research-based classroom strategies to support and mitigate the impact on young children. Focus on building resilience through collaborative partnerships, community resources and advocacy.

An introduction to the principals and application behind effective interpersonal communication. Students will study various styles of interpersonal communication, apply different techniques, and evaluate their effectiveness. Important components of interpersonal communication that include listening, conflict management, and developing and maintaining relationships, will be addressed in the personal and professional setting.

Degree Requirements

8 courses; 4.5 credits per course
Total: 36 Credits

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Identify essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas and resources for early childhood education
Develop oral, written, and technological skills for communicating with families and young children
Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for young children
Use systematic observations, documentation, and other assessment strategies — in partnership with families and professionals — to positively influence children’s development and learning
Implement a curriculum that promotes development and learning outcomes for diverse young children
Demonstrate ethical, legal, and professional standards in early childhood education
Foster positive relationships and supportive interactions with young children

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