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What you will study

UCM’s Advanced Teaching in Early Childhood Education certificate aligns with the Core Competencies for Early Childhood and Youth Professionals Missouri and Kansas. It also meets the revised 2020 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards.

Our focused courses offer opportunities for you to practice your teaching strategies and sharpen your leadership skills. To complete your Advanced Teaching certificate, you’ll take innovative courses such as:

• Early Childhood Education: A Constructivist Approach for 21st Century Thinkers
• Play and Advocacy in the 21st Century
• Multicultural Education Beliefs, Curriculum and Pedagogy
• Making and Learning: STEM in Early Childhood Education
• Teaching Strategies and The Classroom Environment for Active, Engaged Learning

Direct Pathway to a Master’s in Early Childhood Education

With your Advanced Teaching Certificate, you’ll be eligible to complete an additional 15 credit hours to earn the full MSE in Early Childhood Education from UCM. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, completing a master’s degree can qualify you for jobs that pay as much as 26% more per year.

 

 

Unique Learning Opportunities

Your University of Central Missouri’s Advanced Teaching Certificate will help you pursue leadership roles beyond the classroom. Gain hands-on, real-world experience to grow as an educator:

• Direct interaction with students: Work alongside elementary school teachers and assist in the classroom. You’ll apply what you’re learning in your courses while staying current with teaching methods.
• Mentorship: Our faculty is active in early education advocacy through organizations and political associations. They will show you how to lead education conversations that inspire action.
• Personal career advising: With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, UCM’s Advanced Teaching in Early Childhood Education graduate certificate program offers individualized support throughout the program.

 

What can you do with an Advanced Teaching in Early Childhood Education certificate from UCM?

UCM created the Advanced Teaching graduate certificate in response to the changing landscape of elementary education and an increasing demand for education leaders within the early childhood profession.

Investing in your career opens new pathways to you as an educator:

• Create early childhood programming in a museum or other educational settings
• Lead educational services for families with young children
• Create curricula for the professional development of early childhood educators

Earning your graduate certificate also gives you the opportunity to accelerate completion of your master’s degree for a second credential.

Advancement opportunities for early childhood educators

Explore more career paths and salary potential in early childhood education using the interactive tool below.

 

 

Financial assistance options for your Advanced Teaching in Early Childhood Education graduate certificate

Gaining a graduate education shouldn’t jeopardize your financial future. At the University of Central Missouri, we’re committed to helping you achieve your goals in a cost-effective way.

UCM’s tuition is lower than those offered by many colleges in Missouri — and the national average. 

For degree-seeking students, financial aid is available in several forms:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Loans
• Graduate assistantships

You may also qualify for funding specifically for students in Early Childhood Education. Learn more about program-specific scholarships with the .

Admission requirements

In order to be accepted into this graduate certificate program,  you must have

• A minimum 2.5 GPA on any courses completed prior to admission
• Completed bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field of study
• Completed application for graduate admission to UCM