Early Childhood Education Paraeducator Certificate

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete a one-year (two semester) Certificate in Early Childhood Education Paraeducator and enter the workforce. Students explore early childhood education techniques and strategies, family dynamics, curriculum development, and child growth and development. This certificate program prepares the student for a career as a preschool paraeducator, or “para” to support teachers in inclusive classrooms. Students receive a wide range of knowledge and skills including a solid foundation in the normal patterns of growth and development, various disabilities, giftedness, developmentally appropriate teaching techniques, and learning styles of children with developmental delays. As part of this certificate, students will also earn the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Certificate.

Learn more about this program.

My Academic Plan: Part-Time

Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your certificate within 2 semesters (1 year). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

Fall Semester 1

ECE 1011 or ECE 1011 en español	Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 1011) or Introducción a la Educación Infantil Temprana (ECE 1011 en español)	3
ECE 1031 or ECE 1031 en español	Guidance Strategies for Young Children (ECE 1031) or Estrategias de orientación para niños pequeños (ECE 1031 en español)	3
ECE 2381 or ECE 2381 en español	ECE Child Growth and Development (ECE 2381) or Crecimiento y Desarrollo Infantil de la ECE (ECE 2381 en español)	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Semester Note:  Upon completion of ECE 1011 and ECE 1031, you should apply for the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Certificate.

Spring Semester 2

ECE 1045 or ECE 1045 en español	Intro to ECE Techniques (ECE 1045) or Introducción a las Técnicas de ECE (ECE 1045 en español)	3
ECE 1571	Family Dynamics	1
ECE 1611	The Team Process	1
ECE 2621 or ECE 2621 en español	Curriculum Methods/Techniques (ECE 2621) or Métodos/Técnicas Curriculares (ECE 2621 en español)	3
ECE 2601	The Exceptional Child	3
Total Credit Hours:		11

Total Credit Hours: 20

Prior Learning eligible course

•  Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

•  View all eligible courses

 

Important Program Notes:

This certificate can be completed entirely online or through a mixture of online and on-campus classes.

If starting this certificate in the Spring, complete ECE 1571 and ECE 1611 in the First semester and ECE 2381 in the Second semester.