
Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership
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Explore our 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 (Non-Licensure) 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.
Two Ways to Learn
Choose from two degree completion options.
The course-based format may be a good option for you if you prefer an instructor-led approach and learning on a predetermined schedule. However, the course-based format is not accepting applications at this time.
Tempo Learning® is an alternative way to earn your Walden degree. It’s different from our standard course-based learning because you can work at a pace that makes sense for you, and progress once you’ve shown you understand a subject. With Tempo Learning®, you have the flexibility of online learning, plus the ability to personalize and control the length, cost, and pacing of your program.
Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:
Course-based learning (Not accepting applications at this time.) |
Tempo Learning® |
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The standard, guided pace to earn your degree |
The flexible pace, ideal for some students |
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Time | Structured schedule |
Flexible schedule |
Pace | Deadlines to make steady progress |
Set your own pace, and speed up or slow down when needed |
Tuition | Pay by the course |
All-you-can-learn subscription fee |
Support | Faculty guide you through your courses as you earn your degree |
Faculty support when you need it and a personal academic coach |
Expert Walden Faculty |
✔ |
✔ |
Payment Plans and Scholarships* |
✔ |
✔ |
*May not be available for all programs
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Curriculum
Completion Requirements
- 15 semester credits
This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies.
Courses
Course Code Title Credits EDUC 6161 Effective Programs and Practices
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6164 Perspectives on Diversity and Equity
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6166 Developing People and Leading Teams
The success of any manager is largely dependent on the leadership they provide their staff. Students in this course explore 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 focus on staff recruitment, evaluation, and development, and they identify the skills and knowledge required to create positive environments and achieve individual and organizational goals. In this course, the educator will be challenged 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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6167 Budgeting and Allocating Resources
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6168 Planning and Managing Early Childhood Programs
Effective early childhood directors/administrators are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs to ensure quality experiences for the children and families they serve. In this course, effective administrators focus on the wide range of roles in which they 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 also examine the importance of engaging in meaningful communication with parents, families, and communities.
(3 sem. cr.) Tuition and Fees
Curriculum Component Requirements Cost amount Tuition 15 semester credit hours $615 per semester hour $9,225 Technology Fee Per semester $220 $660
$9,885*
*The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $400 to $600.
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Curriculum
The Tempo Learning degree completion option is ideal for busy working professionals like you. Your progress is measured by the mastery or demonstration of skills, abilities, and knowledge in a particular area of expertise (AoE).
Each competency has been carefully designed by expert faculty with input from employers, with your education and future employment in mind.
Degree Completion Requirements
- 15 semester credits
This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Credits earned in this certificate program may be applied toward Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies.
Areas of Expertise and Competency Descriptions
Course Code Title Credits EDUC 6161 Effective Programs and Practices
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6164 Perspectives on Diversity and Equity
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6166 Developing People and Leading Teams
The success of any manager is largely dependent on the leadership they provide their staff. Students in this course explore 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 focus on staff recruitment, evaluation, and development, and they identify the skills and knowledge required to create positive environments and achieve individual and organizational goals. In this course, the educator will be challenged 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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6167 Budgeting and Allocating Resources
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.
(3 sem. cr.) EDUC 6168 Planning and Managing Early Childhood Programs
Effective early childhood directors/administrators are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs to ensure quality experiences for the children and families they serve. In this course, effective administrators focus on the wide range of roles in which they 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 also examine the importance of engaging in meaningful communication with parents, families, and communities.
(3 sem. cr.) Tuition and Fees
Progress at Your Pace. Control Your Cost.Walden’s Tempo Learning® programs follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat-rate for each 3-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
Program Subscription Period Tuition Subscription Period Technology Fee Subscription Period Time Frame Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership $2,250 $165 3-month subscription period
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for this program. Our financial aid advisors can help you identify funding opportunities to help you pay for your education.
FAQ About Walden’s Online Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership
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Yes, it certainly can be. Credits earned in the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Administration, Management, and Leadership program can be applied toward Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies program.
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In this online certificate program, you will obtain skills that can be put to use running child care centers or leading youth programs. You will also learn how to create an atmosphere where children from different backgrounds can all learn and succeed. Coursework includes research-based, effective practices for promoting learning throughout the stages of child development, from birth through age 8. The management principles portion of the program will teach you how to recruit, lead, and evaluate staff members; allocate resources; and more.
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Choosing between the two formats depends largely on your learning preferences. If you prefer an instructor-led approach and learning on a predetermined schedule, the standard course-based format may be a good choice for you. A growing number of accredited universities offer programs in the competency-based learning format as well. Rather than enrolling in predetermined courses that require a set amount of time to complete, competency-based programs allow you to master specific skills in your field of study at a pace that works best for you. You progress once you have shown you understand a subject. You can use the learning resources provided to you by faculty, and apply knowledge acquired through work, life experiences, or prior education.
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