Early Childhood Education Certificate

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Length: 31 credits

Purpose: This program is designed to improve the quality of education provided in early childhood programs. Courses and content covered are based on Virginia’s Core Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals and NAEYC’s Standards for Initial Early Childhood Professional Preparation. Graduates of the program will be qualified to serve as a director/administrator or a lead teacher in a licensed child care center, early learning center, or family day home in the state of Virginia.

Program Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:

observe and document a student’s developmental and academic levels;
identify ethical and professional guidelines when working in the early childhood field;
build meaningful curriculum in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

General Education Requirements

ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3

Total Credits: 6

Program Requirements

CHD 118 - Language Arts for Young Children Credits: 3
CHD 120 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
CHD 145 - Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children Credits: 3
CHD 146 - Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children Credits: 3
CHD 165 - Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Setting Credits: 3
CHD 205 - Guiding the Behavior of Children Credits: 3
CHD 270 - Administration of Early Childcare Programs Credits: 3
EDU 235 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education Credits: 3
SDV 100 - College Success Skills Credits: 1

Total Credits: 25

Minimum Required for Certificate: 31 Credits

Advising Sheet

Advising Sheet Suggested Schedules: Courses in advising sheets are displayed under the semester in which the courses are regularly offered. It is possible that a course shown on the schedule for a particular semester may not be offered due to low enrollment or other factors. In addition, some courses are offered in both fall and spring semesters. Consult with an advisor when scheduling classes.

Fall Semester Courses

CHD 120 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
CHD 145 - Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children Credits: 3
CHD 165 - Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Setting Credits: 3
CHD 205 - Guiding the Behavior of Children Credits: 3
EDU 235 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester Courses

ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology Credits: 3
SDV 100 - College Success Skills Credits: 1
CHD 118 - Language Arts for Young Children Credits: 3
CHD 270 - Administration of Early Childcare Programs Credits: 3
CHD 146 - Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children Credits: 3