Early Childhood Education Certificate

Why this program?

The Prescott College Education Department combines innovatory, accessible, quality curriculum with talented, experienced and knowledgeable faculty to provide our undergraduate students with superior training to meet the contemporary needs of students with a high degree of skill, professionalism and expertise. Social Justice is at the heart of the work we do at Prescott College. The rich variety of ethnic identity, languages, and cultural diversity in our country require clear, multiple and accessible pathways for children to experience success. The Education Department at Prescott College recognizes the diverse families, teachers, after-school program directors and community members as partners who strive collaboratively with us to secure the academic success of all children and young adults from birth through 12th grade and beyond. The Professional Preparation Program at Prescott College cultivates the knowledge and skills necessary for future teachers, leaders, and innovative thinkers to foster parent-educator relationships, cultivate collective decision-making processes in addition to other forms of democratic participation which have been historically inaccessible to many families and communities. We strive to offer cutting edge excellence so that educators may support communities, cultural difference, inclusion, and ensure positive learning environments for students from all walks of life.

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What can you do with this certificate program?

The post-baccalaureate Early Childhood Education certificate prepares students to teach in a variety of early childhood education (Birth-Age 8 or Grade 3) classroom settings. 

Successful completion of certificate requirements leads to an Institutional Recommendation for Arizona Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education. View Arizona’s certificate details here.

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What will this program look like?

The Early Childhood Education post-bacc certificate can be done completely online. Each course includes required observation hours in a local school of your choice. We encourage you to observe different types of classrooms and schools to see various teaching and engagement styles. 

Students can enroll full-time or part-time, and can enroll continuously through  fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Included courses:

Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)

Working in Schools: Orientation (1 credit)

Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties (3 credits)

The Science of Reading Methods and Practice (3 credits)

Positive Child Guidance & Inclusive Classroom Management (3 credits)

Integrated: STEM (4 credits)

Curriculum Design, Assessment & Evaluation (4 credits)

Whole Child Foundations (3 credits)

Arts & Place-Based Methods Integration: Language Arts & Social Studies (4 credits)

Early Childhood Education Practicum (4 credits)

Student Teaching: Early Childhood Education (4 credits)

Total Credits: 36

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Licensure Pathways

Prescott College partners with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to offer various pathways to licensure:

1. Traditional Prep Program – Complete your licensure coursework, then twelve weeks of student teaching prior to obtaining your license and teaching full-time as a salaried lead teacher.
2. Alternative Teaching Certificate – Enter into a teaching contract while completing your required licensure coursework. Simultaneous completion of the program and verified teaching experience lead to your certification. See more information about the Alternative Teaching Certificate here.