What you will study
Understanding the Child focuses on children’s brain development and what influences
and enhances a child’s ability to learn. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies that
you can use to support young children in your own classroom. Designed for both seasoned
early childhood education teachers and those looking to enter the ECE field, this
undergraduate certificate focuses on providing developmentally appropriate instruction
for children up to age 8.
As part of the Understanding the Child Early Childhood Education certificate, you’ll
take courses such as:
- Development and Learning Through Play
- Early Childhood Principles and Observation
- Child and Adolescent Development
Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor’s 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’s Degree College for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Best Value in Education (College Factual, 2021)
- Top 5%: Most Popular in Education (College Factual, 2021)
- Top 10%: Most Focused in Education (College Factual, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities in early childhood education
Throughout UCM’s Understanding the Child in Early Childhood Education certificate
program, you’ll work with faculty, peers and educators in your school to explore new
learning strategies and put your knowledge to work. Draw upon your own classroom experiences
to make connections between your learning and your teaching practice:
- Use your own classroom as a lab: Practicing teachers can work with their leadership to apply what they’re learning
in this undergraduate certificate program. Use the intervention strategies you’re
learning in class to impact student learning in your own classroom.
- Learn within a cohort: Develop strong relationships, share best practices and reflect on your undergraduate
studies with your peers as you progress.
- Receive tailored career advising: Work with a faculty mentor who will help you advance in your career, prepare you for
interviews and assist you when you’re ready to apply for admission to one of UCM bachelor’s
degree programs.
What can you do with an undergraduate certificate in Understanding the Child in Early
Childhood Education from UCM?
UCM’s Understanding the Child in Early Education certificate can open the door to
a number of careers. Whether you’re ready to advance your career, start a new job
or prepare for becoming a certified early childhood teacher or your next degree, this
certificate will demonstrate your knowledge to future employers.
The skills you’ll acquire at UCM prepare you for success in settings such as:
- Child care centers
- Preschools
- Elementary schools (grades PK–3; requires teacher certification)
- Youth facilities
Careers in early childhood education
Use the tool below to explore career paths, salary expectations, job openings, projected
job growth and more in the early childhood education field.
Financial assistance options for your Understanding the Child in Early Childhood Education
certificate
Learn more, spend less. At the University of Central Missouri, we make earning an
undergraduate certificate affordable. In addition to university scholarships, grants
and loans, partnerships with community organizations may help offset student tuition
costs for qualifying working teachers enrolled in our Understanding the Child Early
Childhood Education certificate program.
Beyond UCM’s university-wide funding options, the College of Education offers numerous
scholarships reserved for undergraduate students in our Early Childhood Education
program, including:
- Merle C. and Lillian J. Rider Scholarship in Early Childhood Education
- Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education Scholarship
Learn more about program-specific scholarships using the .
Meet Carol Bolz
Head Start Education Manager, Mid-America Regional Council Department of Early Learning
“UCM professors have paid great attention to providing learning opportunities for
teachers to apply what they're learning in their classrooms.”
Meet Mayela V.
Understanding the Child in Early Childhood Education Certificate ’22
“The program provided us with high-quality teaching and supported us in the preparation
for an educational career. This great opportunity has inspired me to help others and
give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve
their goals just as [the program] has helped me.”
Meet Our Faculty
Early childhood experts serve as mentors
UCM’s ECE certificate program was designed by faculty who’ve spent years in the classroom
and actively participate in research related to workforce development, effective teacher-child
interactions and more. Our cohort design promotes close working relationships between
students and faculty, helping to advance individual careers and strengthen the early
childhood education profession in central Missouri.
Meet the Faculty
Get Involved
Join student groups and activities
Take part in student-led initiatives, join advocacy efforts and network with other
education professionals as a member of the student chapter of Early Childhood Young
Professionals (ECYP). A chapter of the Missouri Association for the Education of Young
Children, our organization is also affiliated with NAEYC.
Work Toward Your BSE
Earn credentials while you earn credits
Our three “stackable” early childhood education certificates allow you to work on
your BSE in Early Childhood Education at your own pace. Earn a second Early Childhood
Education certificate — or all three — before enrolling in UCM’s bachelor’s degree
program.
Learn More
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