Credential Programs
Early Childhood
Education -
Specialist (15 units)
The
Credentialed
Specialist
(CS)
program is designed as a valid and reliable
measure of the candidates understanding of the Head Start
regulations. Candidates enrolled in this
Credential program acquire a skill set of the best
practices and procedural methods for implementing Head
Start
regulations. A Credentialed
Specialist
(CS)
is a Head Start professional who is
responsible for collecting, reporting, managing and
monitoring daily compliance issues in a content area.
A credential at
HS University is an "educational process" of
establishing the qualifications of professionals
in Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant Head
Start, American Indian/Alaska Native and Early
Childhood employees. The process consists
of the attainment of a specific skill level and
knowledge of regulations and the assessing of
the candidate's educational background and
experience. A license is then awarded to the
professional who meets the standards set for the
credential. It signifies that a student
has enrolled, attended and successfully
completed the requirements of a specific family services
area within a Head Start program.
The specialist credential process usually takes about 3 months to complete and requires 15 credit
units.
The credential in
Early Childhood Education includes the Head
Start Child Development and Early Learning
Framework core in addition to all the
specialized courses. This 3 month program
is designed to equip the student with the
experience and skills needed to work with
children under five. Current Head Start
employment and working as a teacher's aide or
above is required. The curriculum is designed to include
all the specialized courses in Early Childhood
Education to enable students to work with
children under five in a teacher assistant
capacity. Students interested in working
with infants and toddlers are advised to take
ECE2141, Infants/Toddler Growth and Development
in addition to the courses below.
Learning
Outcomes
Upon successful
completion of all program requirements,
graduates will be able to:
|
1. |
Identify a
variety of current and historical
theoretical approaches to Early
Childhood Education
|
|
2.
|
Identify and
assess the elements that determine
quality in early childhood settings |
|
3.
|
Articulate
the beginnings of a personal philosophy
of Early Childhood Education |
|
4.
|
Identify and
evaluate ethical issues that may be
encountered in the field of Early
Childhood Education |
|
5. |
Plan,
implement and evaluate age appropriate
and individually appropriate activities
for typical, atypical and children from
culturally diverse backgrounds. |
|
6.
|
Create and
evaluate a learning environment that
supports children's physical, social,
emotional, creative, language and
cognitive development |
|
7. |
Identify and
apply positive approaches to discipline
that encourage children to develop
self-control and a sense of self-esteem |
|
8. |
Demonstrate
competence in integrating theory and
practice in early childhood programs
serving diverse populations |
Program Length
All courses are five days or one week in length,
5 credits unless specified otherwise.
HS University students are Head Start
working adults who can earn their
certificate at their own pace and on their
own schedule. Most students attend
part-time, and the normal time to
complete this program is 3 months.
Program Cost
Cost information for HS University
program is available at
http://www.hsuniversity.org/cost_fees.html.
The tuition and fees for the entire
program, at current tuition rates, are
$1495.
Program Course of Study
The following list a suggested course of
study. Students must complete 5
credits/15 units in order to earn a
certificate. Please contact
your advisor and student representative
for an individual Professional
Development Plan (Plans consist of a
detailed program of study requirement
and Proposal for Tuition payment).
Students must complete an application
and pay application fee in order to
receive Professional Development Plans
of Study.
|
Course # |
Description |
Units |
Credits |
|
ECE101 |
Early
Childhood Education Course |
10 |
4 |
|
60-101C |
Exam - Early
Childhood Education |
5 |
1 |
|
ECE102 |
Early
Childhood Education Specialist Credential |
15 |
5 |
