What you will study
UCM鈥檚 Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduate certificate
concentrates on enriching leadership skills that promote young children鈥檚 learning,
achievement and development. The curriculum is focused distinctly on how to create
a professional learning community, develop shared goals and compose a communication
plan that ignites action.
This certificate also aligns with the Core Competencies for Early Childhood and Youth
Professionals in Missouri and Kansas. You鈥檒l take courses such as:
- An Ecological Perspective of Family Engagement in Early Childhood Education: Gain theoretical, ecological and empirical perspectives to create a connection between
family and educator that is integral to a child鈥檚 educational growth.
- Multicultural Education: Beliefs, Curriculum and Pedagogy: Illuminate the challenges and solutions in providing
an equitable education through analyzing multicultural theories and ideals that impact
early learners.
- Collaborative Practice in Early Childhood Education: Understand central theories, research and practices for creating engaged and innovative
learning environments. With an ever-changing world, professional teaching requires
critical reflection on the developmental needs of diverse learners.
Pathway to a master鈥檚 degree
All courses earned in the Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education graduate
certificate are applicable to our Master of Science in Early Childhood Education - Leadership program. After that, you only need 15 additional credits to finish your master鈥檚
degree at UCM.
Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- UCM's Early Childhood Education Leadership and Management program offers the only
certificate in the state designed specifically to empower educators with ECE and leadership
best practices.
- Longest continuously accredited public institution by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
We know what it takes to prepare you for a successful career in education.
- A Best Value College for Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Among the Most Popular Colleges for Teacher Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Best Value in Education (College Factual, 20212)
- Top 10%: Best Colleges for Education for Non-Traditional Students (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in early childhood education leadership and management
UCM鈥檚 ECE graduate certificate in Leadership and Management allows you to develop
confidence as an education leader. Our experiential learning format gives you opportunities
to work in diverse environments learning from seasoned professionals.
Some of the program鈥檚 features include:
- Direct interaction with students: Apply what you鈥檙e learning in your courses to your own classroom, paying particular
attention to how teacher-student interactions and relationship-building impacts student
outcomes.
- Mentorship: Work with expert UCM faculty to develop a culturally responsive curriculum that supports
all learners. They鈥檒l show you how to lead education conversations that inspire action
while staying current in the field.
- Personal career advising: Get individualized support throughout the program, from planning courses that match
your goals and interests to preparing for the next steps in your graduate studies
or career.
What can you do with an ECE graduate certificate in Leadership and Management from
UCM?
With the movement towards universal preschool, the need for qualified teachers 鈥 and
leaders 鈥 continues to grow. We developed the Leadership and Management in Early Childhood
Education graduate certificate in response to this need. This program prepares you
to step into these roles.
In addition to ECE director, UCM鈥檚 graduate certificate can help you secure other
roles in early childhood education, including:
- Peer support specialist
- Child care center owner
- Professional development manager
- Family engagement and integration specialist
Leadership and management careers in early education
Explore more options for career paths, as well as salary potential, in early childhood
education using the interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Leadership and Management in Early Childhood
Education graduate certificate
The 欧美视频 is committed to helping you advance your career
without risking your financial future. Our tuition is lower than that of many colleges
in Missouri 鈥 and the national average.
Missouri classroom educators looking to become leaders in the field of Early Childhood
Education may also be eligible for funding through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood庐 Missouri,
and when the program is finalized, through Missouri Child Care Aware.
For those earning a degree and this certificate at the same time, financial aid from
the 欧美视频 is available in several forms:
- Grants
- Graduate assistantships
- Loans
- Scholarships
More than 70 scholarships are also available, including alumni and academic achievement
awards. Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the .
A History of Excellence
Leaders in education since 1871
The 欧美视频 has been influential in the evolution of education
through its constructionist approach. Collaborate, study and develop your skills in
an environment that promotes the power of knowledge.
Meet Our Faculty
Excellence in education
Our professors are thought leaders who work tirelessly to promote diversity, inclusion
and equal access for early childhood education. They鈥檙e also active in research, authoring
relevant articles and crafting forward-thinking public policy, which gives you insight
into how to effectively advocate for change.
Partnership With the Missouri Department of Education
First of its kind in the state
We believe long-term success requires sustainable collaboration, so we partnered with
the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This first-of-its-kind
partnership provides mentorship and financial support to working lead teachers, assistant
directors and directors studying for this graduate certificate.
Support the Health and Safety of Your Community
Good leadership goes beyond the classroom
Improving childcare facilities and strengthening community partnerships have been
shown to increase a community鈥檚 public health and wellness. Earning your Leadership
and Management in ECE graduate certificate from UCM will prepare you to contribute
meaningfully to the greater good through Missouri鈥檚 鈥淚mproving Lives for Safer Communities鈥
initiative.
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