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The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences: Certificates:
Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership

For students beginning their program August 26, 2024 or later
The Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership certificate program is designed to prepare educators to effectively manage child care centers or administer programs for young children. Learners explore the essential components of effective early childhood programs and develop the practical personnel and business management skills they need to lead those programs. Coursework covers effective program practices; budget and resource allocation; and personnel recruitment, evaluation, and management. Learners also consider and are provided tools to respectfully address the impact of diversity, culture, and equity issues on early childhood development. Learners can apply the credits they earn in this certificate program toward Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies with a specialization in Administration, Management, and Leadership.
 

Note: The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership program is offered in two different learning modalities: the course-based modality and the competency-based modality, Tempo Learning®.

Note on Endorsement, Licensure, or Certification

This program does not lead to an endorsement, certification, or licensure. Walden makes no representation, warranty, guarantee, or commitment that successful completion of this program or coursework for graduate credit within this program will permit a graduate to obtain state certification or licensure.

The graduate degree program and coursework within the program in which you are enrolling may be accepted by many states toward upgrading or renewing a license or obtaining a salary increase (depending on state or district policy). Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement. Walden enrollment specialists can provide guidance on program requirements; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state and school district requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this certificate program will be prepared to:

  • Analyze practices that promote healthy child development in diverse populations.
  • Evaluate elements of effective early childhood programs.
  • Analyze ethical guidelines for professional growth and practice as a leader and advocate in the early childhood field.

Course-Based Program (Quarter)

For students beginning their program August 26, 2024 or later.

  • 15 total quarter credits

Curriculum

  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence is as follows:

Quarter Course Credits
Quarter 1 MSEC 6108 – Intentional and Responsive Practice in the Content Areas P-3 5 quarter credits
MSEC 6110 – Effective Leadership for Early Childhood Settings 5 quarter credits
Quarter 2 MSEC 6111 – Effective Management for Early Childhood Settings 5 quarter credits

Tempo Learning® Program

Tempo Learning® is Walden’s competency-based education modality, an alternative way of earning a Walden degree offered for some Walden programs. Instead of courses, the Walden Tempo Learning® program is comprised of competencies and rigorous assessments. Students progress through the Tempo Learning® model by successfully passing competency assessments. A student must successfully achieve or master all competency assessments to graduate from the program.

Students earn the same Walden degree whether they choose the course-based or the competency-based modality.

Certificate Requirements

  • 15 total semester credits

Curriculum

  • EP002 Plan Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
    Plan developmentally appropriate curriculum in alignment with professional standards.
  • EP004 Evaluating Program Quality
    Apply professional standards, guidelines, and tools to evaluate the quality of early childhood programs and identify areas in need of improvement.
  • CC001 Engages Families and Communities
    Use best practices to engage families and communities in early childhood programs.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • CR001 – Culturally Responsive Practices
    Recommend culturally responsive practices to promote supportive and respectful partnerships with families and positive outcomes for young children.
  • CR002 – Impact of Bias and Discrimination on Children, Families, and Communities
    Demonstrate an understanding of how bias and discrimination impact children, families, and communities.
  • CR003 – Access, Equity, and Promoting Change
    Apply strategies to promote access, equity, and positive social change for young children, families, and the early childhood field.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • LD001 – Ethical and Legal Considerations in Leadership: Apply ethical principles and legal requirements to managing and leading diverse individuals and teams.
  • LD002 – Leading and Developing Teams: Plan strategies for managing, leading, and developing teams in early childhood contexts.
  • LD003 – Organizational Culture: Analyze organizational culture in early childhood contexts and its impact on staff, children, and families.
  • LD004 – Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Staff: Apply best practices for the recruitment, professional development, performance evaluation, and retention of diverse staff in early childhood contexts.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • MP001 – Creating Grant Proposals: Create grant proposals to secure funding for an early childhood program.
  • MP003 – Allocating Resources to Effectively Manage Programs and Facilities: Use appropriate tools and strategies to budget for and allocate resources in support of early childhood programs and facilities.
  • MP004 – Creating Budgets: Create balanced budgets for early childhood programs.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.
  • LD005 – Effective Program Planning: Plan elements of effective early childhood programs including mission and vision statements, a family handbook, a plan for family and community involvement, and a design for the indoor and outdoor physical environment.
  • MP002 – Marketing in Early Childhood Programs: Apply effective strategies to market early childhood programs.
  • MP005 – Regulations in Early Childhood Settings: Identify state and federal regulations that apply to various early childhood settings.
  • Students may take this as a non-degree course.