Early Childhood Educator 4, SC

This is a draft edition of the 2024-2025 catalog. Information is subject to change.

Program Description

The Skills Certificate, Early Childhood Educator 4 includes 27 units in early childhood education. The courses are also required for the early childhood education AA and AAS degrees. The certificate is one of a series of four, stackable skills certificates available in early childhood education. Students may earn the skills certificates as they progress toward an AA/AAS degree in early childhood education, or as professional development certifications for non-degree seeking students.

This program is not eligible for financial aid. However, it may be eligible for scholarship funding if the student is awarded scholarships.

Early Childhood Education Career Map

Recommended Course Schedule

Plan of Study Grid
1st semesterUnits
ECE 190 Professionalism in Early Care and Education 3
ECE 204 Principles of Child Guidance 3
ECE 250 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3
 Semester Total9
2nd semester
ECE 210 Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children 3
HDFS 201 Lifespan Human Development 3
Select 3 units from list of Electives 3
 Semester Total9
3rd semester
ECE 200 The Exceptional Child 3
ECE 251 Curriculum in Early Childhood Education 3
Select 3 units from list of Electives 3
 Semester Total9
 Total Units27

Program Requirements

Skills Certificates can consist of a single course or a short set of courses that provide training for entry-level positions or career advancement. These short-term certificates may also prepare students to take state, national and/or industry-recognized certifications or licensing exams.

Skills certificates are awarded upon completion of coursework and marked on a student's transcripts at the end of the semester. Students cannot declare a skills certificate as one's major. Skills Certificates are not eligible for Financial Aid. 

To earn a skills certificate, students must:

  1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  2. Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
Certificate Requirement
ECE 190Professionalism in Early Care and Education3
ECE 200The Exceptional Child3
ECE 204Principles of Child Guidance3
ECE 210Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children3
ECE 250Introduction to Early Childhood Education3
ECE 251Curriculum in Early Childhood Education3
HDFS 201Lifespan Human Development3
Elective Options6
Infancy
Parent Caregiver Relationships
Social/Emotional Development for Infants and Toddlers
Administration of the Preschool
Early Foundations in Mathematics
Exploration of Children's Literature
Introduction to Families
Diversity in Children
Supervision and Human Relations
Leadership and Human Relations
Total Units27

Program Outcomes

Students completing the certificate will:

PSLO1: Identify and apply the knowledge and skills in the early childhood education profession, lifespan human development, positive guidance of young children birth through age eight, the observation, documentation, and assessment of young children, professionalism in ECE, children with exceptionalities, preschool curriculum planning, and in one of three areas of emphasis (infant/toddlers, preschool, or administration of ECE programs).

PSLO2: Identify and apply the knowledge and skills related to the six standards for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).