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Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education Certificate

In early childhood education, strong family and community connections help young children grow and thrive. Earning a Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education certificate at the University of Central Missouri allows you to build on your knowledge of family and community relations to improve programs at your school or child care center.

A pathway to state teacher certification, this undergraduate certificate allows you to earn credits toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) at UCM. The Program and Community Partnerships certificate will help you better understand how to collaborate with families and communities and the important role we all make in the lives of young children.

Earn up to three certificates toward your BSE in Early Childhood Education 

At UCM, we offer two other Early Childhood Education certificates in addition to Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education: the Understanding the Child certificate and the Teaching in the Early Childhood Classroom certificate. You can “stack” your certificates and apply credits toward an Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for K–3 public school certification.

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Contact

Dr. Karrie Snider
Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education
Lovinger 3340
Warrensburg, MO
Tel: 660-543-8658
snider@ucmo.edu

College of Education

Department of Early, Elementary, Middle and Physical Education

Early Childhood Education


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Aligned to NAEYC standards 2 and 6

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Longest CAEP-accredited MO college

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Credits apply toward UCM ECE degree

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15:1 student-to-teacher ratio

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2022 Best Value School

What you will study

The UCM Program and Community Partnership in Early Childhood Education certificate teaches the basics of program administration, including child care licensing requirements. At the same time, you’ll learn instruction and assessment strategies for English language learners, culturally responsive pedagogy and ethics.

You’ll also learn about the community resources available for families of children with special needs. These topics and more are covered in a variety of undergraduate courses such as:

  • Community, School and Family Connections
  • Introduction to English Language Learners and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
  • Community and Family Resources Practicum

 

Excellence in Early Childhood Education

  • One of Forbes’ 2021 America’s Top Colleges based on our return on investment and student outcomes. Schools placed well if students graduated on time, earned high salaries with low debt and went on to enjoy successful careers.
  • 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 Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 5.5%: Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
  • Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)

 

Unique learning opportunities in ECE program and community partnerships

UCM’s Program and Community Partnerships certificate program gives you plenty of opportunities to work with faculty, your peers and community organizations:

  • Apply learning to your real-world classroom: In this program, you’ll apply deepened learning experiences related to community and family resources directly in your school and classroom.
  • Make community connections in your own classroom: If you’re already working in a classroom, you’ll be able to better connect your students and their families to outside resources that support children facing learning and socioeconomic challenges.
  • Position yourself for career advancement: Learn in a cohort model and work closely with your faculty advisor to develop strong relationships with teachers in the field. You can build on those relationships to advance your career or prepare for teacher certification in a UCM bachelor’s degree program.

 

What can you do with a certificate in Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education from UCM?

The UCM Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education certificate positions you for a number of exciting jobs. If you’re looking to change careers, step into a leadership role or earn your bachelor’s degree, this certificate can help you move forward along your career path and stand out to employers. The practical and theoretical knowledge you’ll gain from this certificate program qualifies you to work in multiple settings, including:

  • Community-based child care centers
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Preschools
  • Elementary schools (grades PK–3, requires teacher certification)

Explore career opportunities in early childhood education

Use the tool below to check out career paths, typical salaries, projected job growth and more.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education certificate

At the University of Central Missouri, we aim to make higher education affordable to all. We’ve been recognized by LendEDU as a top-ranked university for low student debt. For those obtaining a bachelor’s degree along with this certificate, discover how you can finance your college education with a combination of UCM resources and federal financial aid opportunities.

Beyond the awards available to UCM undergraduates, we offer scholarship opportunities specifically for students in the Early Childhood Education program, including:

  • Merle C. and Lillian J. Rider Scholarship in Early Childhood Education
  • Merle C. and Maxine Rider Scholarship in Early Childhood Education
  • Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education Scholarship

Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the UCM Scholarship Finder.

 

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Take your degree further.

Apply the credits you’ve earned from your Program and Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Education certificate towards one of UCM’s bachelor’s degree programs:

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Make yourself more marketable.

If you’re already enrolled in a UCM bachelor’s degree program and wish to broaden your area of study and qualify yourself for additional jobs, consider adding one of the following minors:

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Explore programs related to ECE program and community partnerships.

If you’re interested in working in early childhood education but not yet sure which undergraduate certificate is right for you, consider these other options at UCM:

 

Request Info   Visit   Apply Today!

 

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