Degrees and Certificates
Early Childhood Development and Care Certificate
Do you have a desire to strengthen individuals, families, and communities? WSU’s online certificate in early childhood development and care develops your understanding of how a variety of educational approaches, social policies, and prevention/intervention strategies influence the development of children, youth, and families.
The online early childhood development and care certificate addresses the complex ways in which child development is influenced by biological, family, neighborhood, school, and community factors, and how this knowledge can be applied to designing innovative and effective programs for young children and their families. This certificate is ideal for students pursuing a degree in human development, or social sciences with a concentration in human development, who would like to specialize in early childhood.
Once all courses are completed, students can download the form to apply for the Early Childhood Development and Care Certificate here.
The certificate is only available to students living in Washington state who are currently working on a Human Development degree, and who have satisfied the necessary prerequisites.
Potential careers
Program of study
Transfer Credits
The early childhood development and care certificate prepares students for careers in institutions and settings that focus on young children. Graduates have been employed at child care centers, pre-school settings, Child Protective Services, and crisis nurseries.
Watch a video of a graduate explaining the program
Required (27 semester hours)
All courses are 3 semester hours, unless noted.
Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 in those courses that count toward the certificate.
Courses must be taken in the order listed below.
Core Courses
6 semester credits
- HD 201 – Prenatal through Age 8 OR HD 340 – Development in Context (Prereq: 6 hrs. of social sciences)
- HD 204 – Family Systems: Understanding Family Interaction
Specialized Courses
21 semester credits
- HD 341 – Learning and Guidance in Early Childhood (Prereq: HD 101, 201, or 340; 3 additional hrs. of social sciences)
- HD 342 – Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs (4 credits with community based practicum; Prereq: HD 101, 201, or 340; 3 additional hrs. of social sciences; Req: HD 341 or 345)
- HD 464 – Administration of Early Childhood Programs (Prereq: 6 hrs. of social sciences. Students must pass their Writing Portfolio prior to enrollment in this course.)
- HD 497 – Professional Preparation for Internship (2 credits; Prereq: 12 hrs. of HD courses)
- HD 482 [M] – Child Assessment and Evaluation (Prereq: HD 201; 6 additional hrs. of HD. Students must pass their Writing Portfolio prior to enrollment in this course.)
- HD 446 – Practicum in Early Childhood Programs (6 credits with community based practicum; Prereq: HD 341 or 345, HD 342. Placement by interview only. Students must pass their Writing Portfolio prior to enrollment in this course.)
The maximum number of credit hours earned at other institutions that may apply towards a WSU certificate shall not exceed ¼ of the total number of credit hours required for the certificate.
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