What you will study
The UCM Program and Community Partnership in Early Childhood Education certificate
teaches the basics of program administration, including child care licensing requirements.
At the same time, you鈥檒l learn instruction and assessment strategies for English language
learners, culturally responsive pedagogy and ethics.
You鈥檒l also learn about the community resources available for families of children
with special needs. These topics and more are covered in a variety of undergraduate
courses such as:
- Community, School and Family Connections
- Introduction to English Language Learners and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
- Community and Family Resources Practicum
Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- One of Forbes鈥� 2021 America鈥檚 Top Colleges based on our return on investment and student outcomes. Schools placed well if students
graduated on time, earned high salaries with low debt and went on to enjoy successful
careers.
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Colleges for Elementary Education (College Factual,
2022)
- A Best Value College for Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Focused Bachelor鈥檚 Degree College for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 5.5%: Most Popular Bachelor鈥檚 Degree Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in ECE program and community partnerships
UCM鈥檚 Program and Community Partnerships certificate program gives you plenty of opportunities
to work with faculty, your peers and community organizations:
- Apply learning to your real-world classroom: In this program, you鈥檒l apply deepened learning experiences related to community and
family resources directly in your school and classroom.
- Make community connections in your own classroom: If you鈥檙e already working in a classroom, you鈥檒l be able to better connect your students
and their families to outside resources that support children facing learning and
socioeconomic challenges.
- Position yourself for career advancement: Learn in a cohort model and work closely with your faculty advisor to develop strong
relationships with teachers in the field. You can build on those relationships to
advance your career or prepare for teacher certification in a UCM bachelor鈥檚 degree
program.
What can you do with a certificate in Program and Community Partnerships in Early
Childhood Education from UCM?
The UCM Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education certificate
positions you for a number of exciting jobs. If you鈥檙e looking to change careers,
step into a leadership role or earn your bachelor鈥檚 degree, this certificate can help
you move forward along your career path and stand out to employers. The practical
and theoretical knowledge you鈥檒l gain from this certificate program qualifies you
to work in multiple settings, including:
- Community-based child care centers
- Nonprofit organizations
- Preschools
- Elementary schools (grades PK鈥�3, requires teacher certification)
Explore career opportunities in early childhood education
Use the tool below to check out career paths, typical salaries, projected job growth
and more.
Financial assistance options for your Program and Community Partnerships in Early
Childhood Education certificate
At the University of Central Missouri, we aim to make higher education affordable
to all. We鈥檝e been recognized by LendEDU as a top-ranked university for low student
debt. For those obtaining a bachelor鈥檚 degree along with this certificate, discover
how you can finance your college education with a combination of UCM resources and federal financial aid opportunities.
Beyond the awards available to UCM undergraduates, we offer scholarship opportunities
specifically for students in the Early Childhood Education program, including:
- Merle C. and Lillian J. Rider Scholarship in Early Childhood Education
- Merle C. and Maxine Rider Scholarship in Early Childhood Education
- Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education Scholarship
Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the .
Dr. Jovanna Rohs
Director, Early Learning, Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City, MO
鈥淭his high-quality, cost-effective certificate program鈥檚 cohort model gives you support
both inside and outside of the classroom. We are grateful to have UCM as a partner
that is willing to meet the needs of practicing teachers and the programs that employ
them.鈥�
Meet Mayeal V.
Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education Certificate recipient
- Director, Guadalupe Centers, Kansas City
鈥淏eing a part of the Early Childhood Education certificate program has been such a
blessing. I am considered a nontraditional student, so the way the courses are designed
makes it convenient for me to complete my work around my hectic schedule.鈥�
Meet the ECE Faculty
Researchers, practitioners and community leaders
At UCM, the same faculty who teach in our degree program also teach classes in the
Early Childhood Education certificate programs. Because they鈥檝e been teachers, they
understand what working in a classroom is really like and can help you navigate your
career. Our faculty also inform policy and hold leadership roles on the NAEYC board
and in state committees.
Learn More
Join Other ECE Students in the Field
Student activities at UCM
Contribute to policy and faculty research projects while you network with others in
UCM鈥檚 Early Childhood Young Professionals (ECYP) student organization. Stay connected
to your peers, other teachers and leaders in the ECE field. You can also choose to
join the Missouri State Teachers Organization, Student Council for Exceptional Children
or Kappa Delta Pi.
Earn Your BSE in Early Childhood Education
Stackable certificates with transferable credits
The Program and Community Partnerships certificate can be stacked with Understanding
the Child and Teaching in the Early Childhood Classroom to help you earn credits toward
a bachelor鈥檚 degree with state certification. Transfer credits from all three programs
toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree that qualifies you to teach grades K鈥�3 in a public school.
leftright
