Certificate in Early Childhood Education

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CERTIFICATE

Certificate in Early Childhood Education

Total Credit Hours: 30-31


About Certificate in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood educators and caregivers work in Head Start programs, childcare centers, family home care programs, elementary schools, social services programs, and health care services. These professionals plan and implement appropriate experiences for young children in areas such as language, health, movement, creativity, thinking, problem solving, self-concept and social behavior. They also supervise children's activities, care for their needs, keep records of their progress, and confer with parents and other professionals.

The Certificate in Early Childhood Education is closely aligned with national standards and meets Head Start requirements for classroom aides. Only major requirement courses that have a grade of "C" or better will be counted towards the Certificate.

The Certificate in Early Childhood Education CDA Track is closely aligned with national standards and meets Head Start requirements for classroom personnel. As part of this program there is an option for students to earn a 'stackable' internationally recognized credential, the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.


Early Childhood Education Track
Major Requirements
Course Course Name Credits
CD110 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3
CD140 Nutrition and Physical Health 3
CD180 Language Arts Development in Early Childhood 3
CD221 OR
ED220
Child Growth & Development OR Human Growth
& Development
3
CD240 Cognitive & Creative Development in Early Childhood 3
CD260 Social & Emotional Development 3
CD292 ECE Practicum 3
ED231 Introduction to Exceptionalities 3
ED265 Culture and Educaiton in Guam 3
Choose 1 course from the following
CD285 Childcare Management 3-4
ED180A Educational Methods I
ASL100 American Sign Language I
CH110 CHamoru I
JA110 Japanese I
Certificate Total 30-31
 
Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA) Track
Major Requirements
Course Course Name Credits
CD110 Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3
CD140 Nutrition and Physical Health 3
CD180 Language Arts Development in Early Childhood 3
CD221 Child Growth and Development 3
CD260 Social and Emotional Development 3
CD285 Childcare Management 3
CD293 Child Development Associate (CDA) Practicum 12
Certificate Total 30

2024-2025 College Catalog

General Requirements for Certificates

Effective fall Semester 2003, several academic policy changes were implemented to ensure that students are adequately prepared to meet business and industry standards. All Undeclared or newly Declared Students enrolled in regularly scheduled postsecondary courses must be enrolled in or must have completed developmental coursework for Math and English or have successfully placed into post-secondary Math and English (or equivalent). 

Students must fulfill the English general education requirement by the time they have enrolled in 12 credits of classes. This means that students may take only nine (9) credits before they must begin meeting the general education requirements. All declared students in Certificate programs will be required to successfully complete minimum general education course requirements. For more information, refer to the Admissions Information, General Education Policy section of this catalog.

A. General Education Requirements
Students must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, understanding and speaking English as indicated by one of the following:

  • Test out of the English Placement Test (or equivalent), or
  • Satisfactory completion of EN097 courses and
  • Test out of the Math Placement Test (or equivalent), or
  • Satisfactory completion of MA098 course
*Students in the Certificate of Construction Technology program can successfully complete their math requirements with MA094 Mathematics for the Trades in lieu of MA098 Intermediate Algebra.


B. Major Requirements. Total Major Requirements vary by program. Minimum Total Credits Required for a Certificate is 30 credits.

* No course may be counted for both Major and General Education requirements.
** Placement testing is not mandatory for admission to the College. Completion of placement testing or equivalent, however, is required for enrollment into English and mathematics courses. Therefore, students who plan to enroll full-time in a program should take the placement test to be eligible for a full load of courses.

2024-2025 College Catalog



Upon successful completion of the Certificate in Early Childhood Education program, students will be able to:
  1. Advocate appropriate practices for children, model professionalism, and demonstrate ethical conduct based on guidelines from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
  2. Effectively and respectfully communicate with students, staff and families including those from diverse backgrounds and special populations.
  3. Implement various developmentally and age-appropriate teaching, assessment and guidance strategies needed to effectively work with young children from birth to age eight.
Upon successful completion of the Certificate in Early Childhood Education Child Development Associate (CDA) program, students will be able to:
  1. Advocate appropriate practices based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
  2. Effectively and respectfully communicate with children, staff and families from diverse backgrounds and special populations.
  3. Implement developmentally and age-appropriate teaching needed to effectively work with children birth to age five.
  4. Prepare students to obtain the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

ED231 Introduction to Exceptionalities

This course provides students with an introduction to exceptionalities. An overview of all aspects of exceptionality including etiology, legal aspects, assessment, and service delivery will be provided. Formerly: Introduction to Exceptional Children

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CD140 Environments for Young Children

This course provides students with strategies in promoting the health, safety and nutrition of young children in the childcare settings.  This includes safety and health assessments, taking care of ill children, meal planning, detecting child abuse and neglect, working with families, and planning activities for young children that teach health, safety and nutrition.

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CD180 Language Arts in Early Childhood

Students will develop knowledge and skills of language development in young children, including oral and written language.  Emphasis is placed on planning and implementation of activities which enhance and develop language and literacy skills. In addition, students will develop resources and materials that are appropriate to teach language arts to young children.

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Certificate in Sign Language Interpreting

The Certificate in Sign Language Interpreting program is designed to prepare individuals who are pursuing a path in interpreting and becoming facilitators of communication for the Deaf. The program combines theoretical and practical learning experiences that will develop the students’ linguistic knowledge and understanding of American Sign Language (ASL), as well as their awareness of Deaf culture.

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Associate of Arts in Education

The Education Program’s mission is to prepare individuals to be professional educators, show a positive attitude toward all students and their families, obtain the skills to plan and implement a program that is safe, educational, and healthy. The Associate of Arts in Education program is designed to provide entry-level training for persons interested in working in educational settings and those planning to continue a path towards a higher degree in education. Emphasis is placed on gaining knowledge and an understanding of (1) diverse philosophies and perspectives which impact how we view education, (2) patterns of growth and development of young people, (3) the diversity of students’ needs and how to address those needs, and (4) the value of collaboration and community. Furthermore, students are expected to engage in critical thinking, problem solving, and continual reflection which are necessary skills for educators.

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Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education

Early childhood pertains to children age eight and below. Early childhood educators work in Head Start programs, childcare centers, family home care programs, elementary schools, social services programs, and health care services. These professionals plan and implement appropriate experiences for young children in areas such as language, health, movement, creativity, cognitive, self-concept and social behavior. They also supervise children’s activities, care for their needs, keep records of their progress, and confer with parents and other professionals.

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