Early Childhood Education, Certificate
Explore the foundations of early childhood education designed to prepare you for work with young learners from birth through age 8. You study evidence-based practices in child development, assessment strategies, instructional methods and family engagement to support cognitive and social-emotional growth during the most critical years of development.
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Early Childhood Education undergraduate certificate description
The certificate program in early childhood education prepares you to support the cognitive and social-emotional development of young children from birth to age 8.
When you complete this certificate program, you're eligible for dual teaching certificates upon completion of an undergraduate degree or to meet requirements for an Early Childhood endorsement. This certificate can be added only to the Bachelor of Arts in Education program in special education.
You develop skills in understanding and applying evidence-based practices in early childhood education. The innovative coursework is centered on child development theory, development of young children, assessment practices and instructional pedagogy. You explore techniques and approaches to engage family members in the growth and development of their young children.
When added to the special education bachelor's degree program, you earn an institutional recommendation for teacher certification in Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3, or an endorsement in Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3, through the Arizona Department of Education. If you wish to teach in public schools, you must also pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams (National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments) to be certified to teach in the state of Arizona.
Format option
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. ASU Sync enables you to attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real time with faculty and peers. As an ASU Sync student, you must reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. If you have F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program. Students with F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync.
If you are seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Why earn an early childhood education undergraduate certificate at ASU?
You gain expertise to support diverse learners, elevate inclusive practices and lead with purpose in classrooms and beyond. This child development certificate is designed to fit your goals while building the skills needed to make a meaningful impact.
Additional details
At Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you become a member of a community within a community. You can participate in all the traditions and enjoy all the resources available through Arizona State University while also connecting with the more intimate MLFC community of students who share your passions and professional interests.
You can get involved in a variety of ways at ASU, including community service, cultural and heritage events, fraternity and sorority life, intramural sports and fitness, Sun Devil traditions, Changemaker Central and much more. There is a place for every student at MLFC.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 20 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in early childhood education requires 20 credit hours. |
||
| Required Courses | ||
|
ECD 321 Foundations in Language, Literacy and Culture in Early Childhood
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ECD 417 Arts Integration for Young Children
4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 4 |
|
ECS 310 Foundations in Typical / Atypical Child Development
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ECS 312 Social and Emotional Development of the Young Child
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ECS 411 Instructional Methodologies for Young Children: STEM
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
ECS 412 Mathematics Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
4 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 4 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
- Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
- Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement,and well-being for all learners
- Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
- Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
- Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
- Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
- Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
- Apply expectations of the profession
- Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
- Analyze and acknowledge the local/cultural context, personal histories, and experiences relevant to problem(s) of practice
- Engage in cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners
- Evaluate competing perspectives on a problem of practice within an educational context and present a reasoned analysis of the issue informed by major theories and evidence-based practices
- Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to local, social and/or global contexts
Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learnersEnrollment requirements
This certificate is open only to students in the special education undergraduate teacher preparation program in the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.
Students are required to have a valid Arizona DPS Identity Verified Prints fingerprint clearance card.
A GPA of 2.00 is required for continued good standing. Students should contact MLFC for more information.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student but may not be eligible for an institutional recommendation for Arizona teaching licensure without additional preparation beyond the certificate.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this early childhood education undergraduate certificate prepares you for
There is a strong demand for early childhood educators in Arizona and nationwide. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings, such as preschools, with childcare providers and in after-school care. Many graduates with early childhood education credentials hold leadership positions in Head Start, private nonprofit and private for-profit center-based programs, and public school early childhood environments.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
|
ED 118
ASUeducation@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
