Early Childhood Education, Graduate Certificate
Program Description
The Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education may also be completed as an area of emphasis within the M.A. in Education. This certificate is designed for licensed elementary teachers seeking to add an endorsement in early education. The goal of this certificate is to strengthen knowledge of child development, related teaching practices, and program administration specific to the education of young children. Satisfactory completion of the certificate program and state licensure requirements leads to the addition of PreK-K to an existing, current, regular, elementary education teaching license.
Teacher Licensure
A teacher with a valid West Virginia professional license who wants to add another teaching endorsement may do so by completing the course requirements, a performance assessment at the appropriate grade level, and, where specified, acceptable scores on the appropriate Praxis II test. Applicants from other states should verify eligibility for added endorsements through their state’s Department of Education.
Admission Requirements
Prospective certificate-only students should apply for admission to Marshall University as a Certificate/Professional Development student and select, on the application form, the certificate they wish to pursue. Applicants must have:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accepted, regionally accredited institution with an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale; or
- A master’s degree from an accepted, regionally accredited institution.
Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials, such as documentation of current teacher licensure, before an admission decision is made.
Program Requirements
The certificate requires completion of 21 hours, including a 3-hour clinical experience, and passing the Education of Young Children Praxis II Test.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CI 632 | Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| CI 633 | Adult Involve in Early Ed | 3 |
| CI 634 | Lang/Cog Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 535 | Adm Early Child Programs | 3 |
| EDF 513 | Human Growth Dev Birth-8 Yr | 3 |
| CI 630 | Practicum Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Appli Software Class Curr Area | ||
| Instructional Design & Tech | ||
| Using Internet in Classroom | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |