teacher in classroom with young students

Online Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership Certificate

Gain skills and insight into coaching, leadership, supervision and administration and add it to any degree.

You will understand the evidence-based components of leadership and administration in working with children under the age of eight in a variety of settings.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
1 - 2 years
Credit hours:
12

Why earn a certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership online?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
June 1* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Nov. 1* | Dec. 1
Summer:
April 1* | May 1

*Priority deadline

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Early childhood educators are in demand in the workplace, especially with leadership skills, highlighted by the many unfilled vacancies in childcare, Head Start, and ECE programs throughout the state and nation. This certificate option allows you to focus on early childhood education. Completion of the graduate certificate with the required coursework can also be used toward a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Accredited Online Master's in Early Childhood Education

Teacher Education programs at UND are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This online certificate program follows the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Online Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership Certificate Program

  • Join the professional group Future Educators of UND (FEUND). Volunteer and connect with other education majors, learning from experience personnel in the UND and Grand Forks community, and hearing about different possibilities as an educator.

  • Shadow a director in a center or facility during your coursework.

  • Fully online program allows you the flexibility to learn on your own schedule in the comfort of your own home. No campus visit required.

What can I do with Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership certification?

With a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership you can further your career as an:

  • Early Childhood Teacher: With this certificate, you can enhance your expertise as an early childhood educator, bringing specialized knowledge and leadership skills to your classroom. You'll be equipped to create dynamic learning environments that cater to the unique developmental needs of young children, fostering their growth and curiosity by using the latest best practices in early childhood education.
  • Educational Director: As an educational director, you play a pivotal role in shaping the vision and direction of early childhood programs. With your graduate certificate, you'll be prepared to effectively supervise staff and manage day-to-day operations.
  • Administrator: Whether in a childcare center, preschool, or early childhood education agency, administrators are essential in ensuring the smooth functioning of educational institutions. With your specialized certificate, you'll possess the skills to oversee budgets, manage personnel, and navigate regulatory requirements.
  • Curriculum Specialist: As a curriculum specialist, you'll have the opportunity to influence the educational experiences of young children on a broader scale. Your graduate certificate in Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership will equip you with the knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum frameworks that are developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive.

Online Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership Certificate Courses

EDL 501. Leadership and Organizational Behavior. 3 Credits.

This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for providing purpose and direction for individuals and groups, shaping school culture and value, facilitating the development of shared strategic vision for the school, formulating goals and planning change efforts with staff, and setting priorities for one's school in the context of community and district priorities for student and staff needs. F.

EDL 514. Supervision and Professional Development. 3 Credits.

This course provides school leaders with preparation in skills for instructional improvement, working with faculty and staff to identify professional needs. Classes are designed for in-depth study and practice planning, organizing, and facilitating programs that improve faculty and staff effectiveness and are consistent with institutional goals and needs; supervising individuals and groups; providing feedback on performance; arranging for remedial assistance; engaging faculty and others to plan and participate in recruitment and development activities; and initiating self-development. On demand.

T&L 511. Assessment in ECE. 3 Credits.

This course examines the construct and practice of assessment for teaching in birth to third-grade learning environments. The course considers the critical issues related to assessment and accountability in schools, focusing on why assessment is necessary, who the various assessment audiences are, what kind of assessment information is useful for each, and the time frame appropriate for such assessment information. Students study a variety of assessment methods currently used to evaluate teaching and learning in classrooms. They also discuss ways to communicate formative information about student progress to families, collaborate with colleagues to use assessment results to modify grade-level curricula for children with diverse abilities, and advocate for culturally, linguistically, and developmentally-appropriate forms of assessment. S.

T&L 590. Special Topics. 1-4 Credits.

Exploration of special topics in the study of education not regularly included in available course offerings. May be repeated for different topics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or advisor. Repeatable.

Online Early Childhood Education Administration & Leadership Certificate

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Flexible Online Graduate Certificate Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Special Education Certificate

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders in Early Childhood Education

Students from across the world are earning their degrees through UND's online Early Childhood Education program.

Explore More Options

Connect with the education faculty you'll work with at UND or explore other online certifications in education.

Department Contact
Kristen Votava
ECE Graduate Director
P 701.777.5863
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