Early Childhood Certificate

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Division: Business, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Public and Human Services
Academic Dept: Human Services
HEGIS: 5503
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Sheila Hanna
Telephone: 914-606-6625
Email: sheila.hanna@sunywcc.edu

A Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Spring 2016. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description

The Early Childhood certificate is especially useful for people who have degrees in another field but wish to seek employment or volunteer positions in early childhood programs. This program is ideal for mature students and those already employed in early childhood settings who wish to enhance their skills and increase their knowledge.

The Early Childhood certificate includes courses and supervised fieldwork, available in more than 25 early childhood programs, including those in public schools. Students already employed may be able to use their place of employment as their field placement.

Students who complete the certificate program and choose to pursue their studies may transfer completed course credits to Westchester Community College’s A.A.S. degree program in Early Childhood.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will build a philosophy of teaching based on valuing children’s strengths and ways of knowing to guide daily practice and inform curriculum choices in Early Childhood settings.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of how to support each child’s strengths and ways of knowing in Early Childhood settings.
Students will recognize the diverse and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities as a foundation for building relationships with them in Early Childhood settings.

Program of Study

The following two courses must be taken together:

Minimum Total Credits - 35

Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click here to Download the Educational Plan .

Gainful Employment Disclosure

For information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed this program, and other important information please visit Early Childhood Certificate - GE Disclosure. For an overview of all gainful employment disclosures at Westchester Community College, visit www.sunywcc.edu/gainfulemployment.