Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Jun 16, 2024

Early Childhood Education (ECE), also known as Pre-School Education, ensures children learn the most important lessons – including literacy and math – from an early age. It is fundamental to later education.

An online Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate is targeted at education grads and others who wish to teach children in the earliest years of education, including pre-school and pre-K. There are, however, other career options.

What Are the Online Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate Requirements?

Those considering an online ECE graduate certificate should meet all the admissions requirements. This means having the proper prior educational degrees and meeting other criteria. While this varies based on school, applicants should generally meet the following:

Accredited bachelor's degree in any subject and master's degree (usually education-related)
Minimum 2.75 GPA. Be advised more prestigious schools may ask for a higher grade of 3.0
Official transcripts in support of grades and graduation
If you come from a country where English is not a major language, certification will be required. Supported standards include IELTS, PTEA, and TOEFL. Check individual colleges as some also accept DuoLingo and ELS112
Multiple letters of academic recommendation – typically 2 or 3. Applicants with no academic references may submit employer references with enough experience
Application fee
A personal supporting statement
Some schools may ask for a longer essay submission to answer a specific question requiring knowledge of education systems

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

ECE graduate certificates are made up of some mandatory and some elective courses, which can be completed in just several semesters. Course topics and titles often include the following:

Developing Early Childhood Curriculum
Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood
Families in Early Childhood Education
Policy and Transition
Child & Adolescent Development
Problems in Educational Psychology
Early Childhood Instruction
Special Education
English Language Teaching
Current Issues in Early Childhood Education
Curriculum and Methods for Early Childhood Education
Advanced Childhood Education Development
Internship / Work Experience in Schools

What Type of Careers Can I Pursue with an Online Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate?

A graduate certificate in early childhood education is a wonderful building block towards a career working with young children, often in running operations and developing curricula. Career options may include:

Early Years / Daycare Teacher: This includes teachers in Pre-K and preschools. You’ll teach children the fundamentals and basics they need through schooling.
Private Tutor: You can work offering private tutoring to young students, gifted children, or those who simply need extra help to keep up.
Preschool Facilities Director: As a director, you are responsible for ensuring the integrity of educational tools and the curriculum, ensuring that they are age-appropriate. You’ll also hire teachers and communicate with parents.
Curriculum Development: This involves working in preschools and early education developing strategies and educational tools/methods either in a government role or in a school.
Teacher Training: Use your skills to train teachers in the latest methods, including any changes to the state's curriculum. You won't work with children directly, but with the teachers who do.
Reading Specialist: This role revolves around children who struggle in the early years and need extra help with their reading.