Curriculum Details

One-Semester Childhood Education Certificate

The Basic Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate is designed for individuals interested in working with young children, from birth through age eight. Whether you are new to the field or already employed in early childhood settings, this certificate provides the essential training and credentials you need to grow professionally.

Program Highlights 

• Four-course certificate offering core skills and knowledge
• Aligned with entry-level positions serving children from birth to age five​
• Includes transferable courses toward the Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) in ECED PreK–3
• Prepares students for roles in:
  • Childcare centers
  • Head Start programs
  • Pre-Kindergarten settings
     

Program Length

All classes required to obtain the Technical Certificates also count towards, and are embedded within, the larger Early Childhood Education A.A.S. degree.

• Basic Technical Certificate = 12 required credit hours.
  (This means that full-time enrollment lasts 1 academic semester.)
   
• Technical Certificate = 24 required credit hours.
  (This means that full-time enrollment lasts 2 academic semesters.)
   
• A.A.S. Degree = 61 required credit hours.
  (This means that full-time enrollment lasts 2 academic years.)

Flexible Course Options

• Complete the certificate in one or two semesters
• Choose the format that fits your schedule:
  • Fully online
  • Virtual (live sessions)
  • Asynchronous (learn on your own time) 

Qualifications

This basic certificate meets one of the staff qualifications for Child Care Licensing, the Tennessee Star Quality Program, and many Head Start programs in the region.