Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership

Gain the leadership and business management skills you need to manage child care centers or administer programs for young children with Walden’s online Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership certificate.

By focusing on research-based practices, you will explore how to plan and evaluate programs and environments in which children of diverse backgrounds and needs can learn and thrive. Through your study of management principles, you will be trained to recruit, lead, and evaluate qualified staff; budget and manage resources; and ensure safe, supportive, and legally compliant operations.

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  • “Certificate programs from the Riley College of Education and Leadership are designed to help educators like you update your skills as you advance your career. You can participate in Walden’s collaborative online environments as you share ideas with educators across the country.”

    Dr. Kelley Costner
    Associate Dean of Master’s and Undergraduate Programs
    The Richard W. Riley
    College of Education and Leadership

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Completion Requirements

  • 15 total semester credits

You can complete the Certificate in College Teaching and Learning in as little as 8 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336. Credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward Walden’s M.S. in Higher Education with a specialization in College Teaching and Learning.

Courses

  • Effective Programs and Practices

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    Researchers indicate that long-term benefits from early childhood programs result only when the programs are of high quality. In this course, education professionals explore the components essential to program effectiveness, including planning for, improving, and evaluating program quality. They learn research-based, effective practices for promoting learning and development across developmental domains and subject matter areas in children from birth through age 8. Education professionals transfer new knowledge and skills to an authentic context through practical assignments, such as reflective blog posts and real-world observations of professionals in the field.

  • Perspectives on Diversity and Equity

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    Understanding and respecting the diversity and individuality of every child and family is central to effective practice and at the heart of the early childhood field. Education professionals in this course examine family cultures and their impact on children and programs, and they investigate issues related to access, equity, and social justice. Through assignments designed to provide practical application of content, they also work toward developing an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of diversity, scrutinizing their own biases to effectively work with and advocate for all children and families.

  • Developing People and Leading Teams

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    The success of any manager is largely dependent on the leadership they provide their staff. This course explores the roles and responsibilities of directors and/or administrators in effectively managing individuals and leading teams for early childhood programs. Education professionals in this course will focus on staff recruitment, evaluation, and development and identify the skills and knowledge required to create positive environments and achieve individual, as well as organizational goals. This course will challenge the educator to consider the ethical, legal, and cultural implications of working with a diverse staff, with emphasis given to the importance of effective communication in maintaining productive relationships.

  • Budgeting and Allocating Resources

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    Administrators of early childhood programs must be able to effectively budget and allocate resources. Education professionals in this course explore the role of the administrator in budgeting and handling resource allocation for early childhood programs. They examine processes for effectively managing budgets and explore strategies designed to help them understand and communicate budgets to stakeholders. Education professionals also explore the various sources of funding and plan a budget for an early childhood education program.

  • Planning and Managing Early Childhood Programs

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    Effective early childhood directors/administrators are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs to ensure quality experiences for the children and families they serve. This course focuses on the wide range of roles in which effective administrators must excel, including developing and maintaining the program’s mission and vision, understanding regulatory and accreditation requirements, marketing, and providing all children proper nutrition and safety while in their care. Education professionals in this course will also examine the importance of engaging in meaningful communication with parents, families, and communities.

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Next State Date is July 1. Apply Now

2013-2014

Curriculum Component Requirements Cost
Courses 15 total semester credit hours $640 per semester credit hour
Technology Fee per semester $150

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Call 1-866-492-5336 for information about a full range of options for:

Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Please find below detailed information for the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership relating to the types of occupations this program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.

Occupations
Program Completion Rate
Program Costs

Occupations—This program generally prepares students to enter the types of occupations listed below. For more information on these specific occupations, visit www.onetonline.org.

In addition to this list, there are other career options that graduates of this program may choose to pursue. To enter certain professions, students may need to satisfy specific additional requirements established by state and/or professional organizations in addition to completing their program.

View examples of our student and alumni accomplishments in their chosen fields.

Occupation Name* Occupation Code*
Child Care Workers 39-9011
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 21-1021
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center 11-9031

*The “occupation name” is a general job title. “Occupation code” refers to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupation Classification.

Program Completion—The program completion rate for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program was first offered in 2012.

Program Costs—The total program costs are the estimated average costs over the duration of the program, excluding any scholarship or tuition reductions, for students completing the program on time. These costs can vary based on the number of credits. Typically, tuition and fees are subject to change annually.

Expense Cost
Tuition and Fees $9,750
Books and Supplies $0
Technology Fee $130/semester
Room and Board Not applicable

View cost per credit in the Tuition and Fees section.

Median Loan Debt—The Median Loan Debt for July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, is not available because this program did not yet have any graduates.

For assistance in deciding which certificate program fits your goals, request information  or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.