Early Childhood Development Certificate
EFSC's Early Childhood Development certificate will teach you how to provide a developmentally appropriate program for infants, toddlers, and children with exceptionalities. It's an excellent choice if you're interested in becoming a paraprofessional within a school system or in working with children with disabilities and their families.
The program includes the required courses for three additional education certificate programs EFSC offers: Childcare Center Management, Preschool Specialization, and Infant and Toddler Specialization.
You can complete the Early Childhood Development certificate and earn the other three certificates at the same time as a way to enhance your resume and maximize your employment potential.
This certificate will prepare you to:
- Enter the workforce as an infant and toddler teacher, preschool teacher, VPK teacher, teacher’s assistant, preschool director, childcare center owner, childcare worker, child development curriculum coordinator, or child development center director
- Seek a promotion at your current place of employment
- Earn state-approved, non-credit, professional certification to enhance your existing career (FCCPC or Director Credential)
Early Childhood Development Certificate
Program Overview
- Certificate Type
- College Credit Certificate (CCC)
- Delivery Method
- On-Campus
- Locations
- Cocoa, Melbourne
- Total Credit Hours
- 36
- Academic Community
- Education
- Contact Information
-
Email Advising
321-632-1111See advising options for Dec. 2, 2024 - Jan. 22, 2025 due to the peak registration period.
Early Childhood Development COURSE CURRICULUM
The Early Childhood Development certificate includes a total of 12 courses that require a combination of theoretical and practical study. You may also be eligible to earn transfer credit toward your certificate through:
- Previously earned credentials, such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program, Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC)/Staff Credential, Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC), or Child Care Apprenticeship Certificate (CACC);
- Education courses completed at a Brevard County public high school.
Early Childhood Development Admissions Information
The Early Childhood Development certificate is an open-access program with rolling admissions and does not require placement testing. You can submit your application via Eastern Florida's standard enrollment process. Contact the EFSC program advisor for help with any degree planning and enrollment questions, including to review any prior experience or credentials that could lead to credit toward your courses. You can also contact the program's manager Kelly Shaver, Associate Professor, at shaverk@easternflorida.edu or 321-433-5728.
Background screening and fingerprinting is a DCF requirement for working and obtaining licensure in this field. If you are interested in working in early childhood education, you should explore the background screening requirements, which exclude individuals with misdemeanor or felony charges or convictions.
How Much Does the Early Childhood Development Program Cost?
In-state tuition for this program is approximately $3,750 (plus additional fees for labs and course materials). You may also be eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships, which can decrease your out-of-pocket expenses as you complete the program. For those who qualify, outside scholarships are also available through the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship Program.
Courses You Could Take
The Early Childhood Development curriculum consists of 12 courses, which will also meet the course requirements for obtaining certain Florida professional credentials. You must complete EEC 1200: Early Childhood Curriculum and EEC 2710: Conflict Resolution in Early Childhood before enrolling in EEC 1942: Early Childhood Practicum. Some of the core courses in this program include:
Learn how to plan, guide, and implement developmentally appropriate language and emergent literacy activities for children.
Learn to incorporate health, safety, and nutrition concepts into a quality early childhood learning environment for children up to age 8.
Study the history, legislation, implications, and theoretical/practical concepts of exceptional education, disability, and diversity.
Why Study Early Childhood Development at EFSC?
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
During the program, you'll spend 80 hours doing structured activities with young children outside of your scheduled course time. When applicable, this experience can occur in your place of employment, but there also also several opportunities to volunteer in licensed child care centers throughout Brevard County. EFSC faculty can assist you with finding a convenient placement in your area.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
This certificate includes all the required training courses for the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC/Staff Credential) and the Director Credential, as well as courses that are eligible to meet the Director’s Renewal requirement. If you are pursuing the FCCPC credential, you should enroll in its required courses first. Learn more about using the certificate's courses to achieve or renew these state credentials.
Related Programs
All of the courses for the Early Childhood Development certificate also apply to Eastern Florida's Early Childhood Education associate degree. If you're interested in both programs, you can start with the certificate and opt to complete the A.S. later, or you can enroll in the programs at the same time! EFSC also offers a variety of other education programs to explore: