Best Early Childhood Education Certificates Online Of 2024

West Virginia University‘s online, asynchronous early childhood development undergraduate certificate offers the flexibility you need to pursue your education while working full time. You can learn techniques for working with babies and toddlers in places like preschools, social service agencies and healthcare settings.

The two-year, 15-credit certificate requires five courses exploring subjects like families across the lifespan and best practices in pre-K movement. You must complete a child development practicum and a professional experience course to graduate. You can apply the credits earned through this certificate to the school’s child development and family studies bachelor’s degree.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma, minimum 2.0 GPA
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 15 credits
• Example Courses: Development in early and middle childhood, professional field experience
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, field experiences required

Portland State University‘s non-licensure early childhood education certificate focuses on inclusive education for children from infancy through age 8. The curriculum takes an anti-bias and inquiry-based approach. The 12-credit certificate takes less than one year to finish. Fully online, asynchronous courses are accessible to full-time working professionals.

You can take your courses in any order, and classes start each quarter. The interdisciplinary program aligns with National Association for the Education of Young Children standards and emphasizes research-based best practices. You can choose from various topic areas, including early childhood wellbeing, guiding young children and Indigenous first steps.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: N/A
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 12 credits
• Example Courses: Documenting young children’s learning, teaching and learning with competent infants and toddlers
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

Designed for working professionals, Ball State Online‘s undergraduate certificate with an infant and toddler specialization can help you meet the requirements for teaching in federal Early Head Start programs. If you work in an Indiana childcare program, you may qualify for a TEACH scholarship.

The fully online program requires an online portfolio that highlights your knowledge of social-emotional development in children from birth through age 3. The curriculum aligns with the Indiana Core Knowledge and Competencies and the competencies you need to earn endorsements in Infant Family Associate (Category I), Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E)® or Infant Family Specialist (Category II).

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 18 credits
• Example Courses: Child and family wellness, internship in child development
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Minimum C grade in all required courses
• In-Person Requirements: No

National University‘s early childhood education foundations certificate explores the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of young children. Classes cover subjects like diversity in education; interpersonal communication; ethical and legal issues; and health, nutrition and safety.

Students learn to communicate effectively with children and families, understand professional standards and create supportive learning environments for young children. The certificate consists of eight courses and is the first of five stackable certificates that can lead to a B.A. in early childhood education at National University. The school developed the pathway to the B.A. in partnership with the National Head Start Agency.

• School Type: Private
• Certificate Prerequisites: ACCUPLACER math and English test scores, high school diploma or its equivalent
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 36 quarter hours
• Example Courses: Early cognition, trauma-informed practice
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

The University of Alaska Fairbanks‘s eCampus offers an online early childhood education certificate that focuses on children up to age 8 and costs an estimated $10,460 in total tuition. The program explores child development, social and emotional development, and healthy learning environments.

While earning the certificate, you’ll get to observe children and assess their development, take field trips (virtual or in person), and create developmentally appropriate learning activities for children. You can earn transfer credit for your Child Development Associate Credential™. The school also offers an online associate degree in early childhood education for students who want to go more in-depth in this field.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: ACT (preferred), SAT, ACCUPLACER or ASSET test results; must be 18 years old or hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 34 credits
• Example Courses: Early childhood professionalism; safe, healthy learning environments
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Must earn a C- or better in each course
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, student teaching required

Fisher College‘s online early childhood education certificate prepares you to immediately enter the early childhood education field or transfer to the school’s early childhood associate degree program. The curriculum explores subjects like supervision and mentoring in early childhood education, behavior strategies, and health and safety. You can choose a focus in preschool, infant and toddler, or family childcare.

This is a non-licensure program designed to meet certification requirements for early childhood education in all states. Certificate holders meet the requirements of all six early childhood education certifications in Massachusetts, including preschool lead teacher and director I and II.

The program offers discounted tuition of just $500 per class for early childhood professionals, making the estimated cost of the certificate $4,500.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 30 credits
• Example Courses: Program administration for early childhood, children with special needs
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

You can earn an undergraduate certificate in preschool teacher certification from Liberty University. The one-year program prepares you to become a preschool teacher, offers eight-week courses and accepts transfer credits for up to 75% of the total certificate. It provides flexibility and doesn’t require any in-person attendance, making the certificate accessible to working professionals, parents and faraway students.

The curriculum covers classroom management and individualized instruction for preschoolers. Classes explore learning theory, education philosophy and principles of education. Students complete portfolios as well. The program includes all required textbooks at no additional cost. The certificate can transfer towards an associate or bachelor’s degree at Liberty University.

• School Type: Private
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 18 credits
• Example Courses: Wellness in the early childhood setting, classroom management for teachers
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Minimum overall 2.0 GPA, a grade of C or higher in each class
• In-Person Requirements: No

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers an online GaTAPP early childhood education precertification technical certificate of credit program for prospective educators. The certificate includes the state-mandated training required to become a certified elementary teacher in Georgia. You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for the program.

The 27-credit curriculum covers brain development, behavior management, early learning foundations and creative activities for children. Other topics include math and science; curriculum and assessment; and health, safety and nutrition. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College also offers a bachelor’s degree and a diploma in early childhood care and education.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate, standardized test scores
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 27 credits
• Example Courses: Social issues and family involvement, curriculum and assessment
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: No

Great Basin College‘s one-year, online early childhood education certificate of achievement program covers child development, curriculum development and assessment, and child assessment. Other topics include community and family relationships and cross-cultural awareness. In addition to coursework, students complete a six-credit early childhood practicum that provides real-world experience.

The program can help you learn to use positive guidance techniques with children, create high-quality classroom environments and develop effective leadership techniques. Graduates can apply for teaching, assistant teaching and director jobs in preschools and childcare centers. Great Basin College also offers a non-licensure B.A. in early childhood education.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent or be at least 18 years old
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 33.5 credits
• Example Courses: Early language and literacy development, the exceptional child
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires a practicum

Brunswick Community College offers an online early childhood education certificate program that prepares you to work with children from birth through age 8. It can also be the first step in transferring to an education diploma or degree program at Brunswick Community College.

The curriculum includes in-person supervised experiences working with young children and classes that explore child development, health and nutrition, and community and family relationships. You’ll learn to evaluate and create curriculums, build relationships with young children and create effective learning environments. You can graduate in two semesters if you take three courses in one term and two in the other.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent, must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 16 credits
• Example Courses: Child development I, child development II
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for supervised experiences