The Early Childhood Program Director Certificate of Achievement requires 12 units of required coursework and offers students the opportunity to work in the supervision and administration of early childhood programs (i.e., infant, toddler, preschool, pre-K, or school-age centers). Students completing this certificate have demonstrated skills to fulfill the responsibilities of an administrator of an early childhood program which includes setting up and maintaining a healthy budget and keeping track of operating costs, planning for and facilitating professional staff development, interviewing and hiring teaching staff, conducting employee teacher evaluations, working with children with disabilities, facilitating the problem-resolution process involving teaching staff, children, and families, and maintaining currency with Title 22 and 5 regulations. This certificate satisfies California Department of Education Title 5 coursework requirements for the Child Development Program Director and Site Supervisor Permit, which enables the student to be employed as an administrator in a state-funded program, or public or private setting. To best qualify for an administrative position, it would be desirable to have a BA degree of 24 units of ECE in addition to the certificate. Examples of employers include before/after school-age care, infant programs, toddler programs, preschool programs, pre-kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten programs.

Program Requirements (12 units)

Total Certificate Units: 12 units

To be awarded a certificate, a student must:

1. Complete all the program requirements.
2. Earn a grade of “C” (or "P") or better for all required courses.