Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services Certificate

Certificate in Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services

The Graduate Certificate Program in Leadership in Early Childhood and Human Services will prepare professionals to take leadership roles in Early Childhood and/or Human Services programs. Course options are built into the program to allow students to match their previous education, work experience and career goals while meeting all learning objectives in this Graduate Certificate Program. Students will select one course from each of four categories: Program Administration, Working with Families, Diversity across the Lifespan, and Curriculum. All students will take the required course in Staff Development. All courses in this program emphasize developmentally and culturally responsive, inclusive, and evidence-based practices in work with young children, youth, and families and the professionals who serve them.

Course Requirements

HDFS 621 - Family Studies I: Empirical and Theoretical Perspectives Credit(s): 3
HDFS 656 - Adult Development and Learning Credit(s): 3
HDFS 637 - Program Planning, Assessment and Evaluation Credit(s): 3 or
HDFS 640 - Early Childhood Administration, Leadership and Advocacy Credit(s): 3 or
HDFS 642 - Leadership in Human Services Credit(s): 3
HDFS 641 - Infants, Toddlers and Families: Development and Programming Credit(s): 3 or
HDFS 601 - Theories of Human Development Credit(s): 3 or
HDFS 860 - Diversity in Families and Human Development Credit(s): 3
HDFS 662 - Early Childhood History, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Credit(s): 3 or
HDFS 639 - Curriculum Methods and Assessment Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 15

Successful completion of this Graduate Certificate Program requires five 3-credit graduate courses with a minimum grade of B- in all courses.

Students will be expected to complete this program within 4 years.

This Graduate Certificate Program can serve as an entry point into the existing MS Program in Human Development and Family Studies. Participants in the Graduate Certificate program can apply for admission into the MS program upon completion of 6-9 credits in the Graduate Certificate Program. Upon admission into the MS program, all 15 credits will count toward the MS degree. The MS in HDFS has concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Leadership in Nonprofit Administration, and Family Support. By building upon existing coursework, the Certificate does not require new courses or resources.