Early Childhood Certificate
Program Highlights
- Program Type: Career
- Delivery: On-campus and Fort Drum
- Personal Interests: Love of learning, working with young children, shaping future generations
- Skill Building: Teaching, communication, educating, creativity, problem solving
- Career Options: Early childhood care and education
- Program Code: HEGIS 5503
Blend your experience working in a childcare setting with education to advance in your career
Jefferson’s Early Childhood Certificate prepares students working in the field the opportunity to expand your knowledge of educating young children and skills for advancement in the early childhood field. You will gain practical skills for working with young children and their families in infant/toddler and preschool settings. One fieldwork placement is required and you could be placed with area Head Start programs, Fort Drum Child Development Centers, Jefferson Community College Early Childhood Learning Center, day care centers, family day care, or early intervention programs.
The Early Childhood Certificate program is for you if you are already working in the field of early childhood education. The certificate program is designed to recognize your documented exceptional levels of training and college-level course work to date.
You may use your 27 certificate college credits towards Jefferson Community College’s Early Childhood A.S. or A.A.S.
This program offers:
- Strong connections to local employers
- A broad-based perspective that prepares you for early childhood care and education and related fields
- Opportunities to complete service projects and engage in a student club that benefits local children and their families
- Hands-on learning and observation experiences
Admissions:
- Students must have relevant experience in an early childhood setting, be recommended by an employer and have relevant trainings or education.
- Students must complete a supplemental application and communicate with Early Childhood staff prior to acceptance in the program.
Learn to help young children grow and develop
When you complete the Early Childhood Certificate you will be able to:
- Promote child development and learning
- Build family and community relationships
- Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families
- Use developmentally effective approaches
- Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
Join the growing early childhood care and education field
Studies show that children who attend preschool are better prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten. Career opportunities in the field of early childhood are excellent! You can find employment at various levels in a variety of early childhood settings. Compensation varies with type of program, education, experience and geographic location.
Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday
Looking to go further
All Early Childhood Certificate requirements also apply to Jefferson’s Early Childhood A.A.S. or Early Childhood A.S. if you ever decide to come back get an associate's degree. We make it easy for you.
Requirements for the Early Childhood Certificate
Effective Fall 2019
| Early Childhood Requirements (21 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 |
| ECD 181: Child Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECD 190: Observation and Assessment of Young Children’s Development | 3 |
| ECD 201: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Age 3-6) and ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3-6) or ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth – 36 months) and ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth – 36 Months) or ECD 145: Working with School Age Child Care and ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3-6) |
6 |
| ECD Electives | 6 |
| Liberal Arts Requirements (3 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENG 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| Restricted Elective Requirements (3 credits) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: ECD 150: Creative Arts for Young Children ECD 210: Methods and Materials in Working with Exceptional Children ENG 114: Early Childhood Literature PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development PSY 233: Lifespan Development PSY 235: Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
Total Credit Hours 27
Program Contacts
Jeri Fairman
Associate Vice President for Liberal Arts Divisionjfairman@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-6542