ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement

The ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement (12 units) recognizes that a student has achieved a defined set of competencies in the field. A student who has earned the Early Childhood Education Core Certificate has completed 12 of the 44 units required for the next level, the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education.

Completion of the required courses for the Early Childhood Education Certificate satisfies the coursework requirements set by the Department of Social Services for qualification as a teacher in a Title 22 preschool or children’s center. Additionally, upon earning the ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate, students are eligible to apply for the Associate Teacher level of the Child Development Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

We currently offer the proposed  ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement (12 units) as a skills certificate and are in the process of converting any remaining skills certificates to COAS. We have been awarding approximately 36 - 50 skills certificate each year and expect to award 36+ students certificates each year. College of Marin has offered these courses for many years but has not offered a Certificate of Achievement in Infant Toddler Specialization. Based on our current enrollment and history of offering these courses, we expect 45 -60 successful completions each year.

ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement (12 units)

A student who completes the required courses for the ECE 1: Foundations in Early Childhood Education Certificate of Achievement (12 units) will meet the coursework requirements of the Department of Social Services to be a teacher in a Title 22 preschool or children’s center. Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education Core Certificate a student will be eligible to apply for the Associate Teacher level of the Child Development permit, issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Upon successful completion of the required courses, students will be able to:

• Integrate understanding of the needs, characteristics, and multiple influences on the development of children birth to age eight as related to high quality care and education.
• Design, implement, and evaluate environments and activities that support positive, developmental play and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Apply effective guidance and interaction strategies that support all children’s social learning, identity and self-confidence.
• Develop strategies that promote partnerships between programs, teachers, families and their communities.
• Demonstrate ethical standards and professional behaviors that deepen understanding, knowledge and commitment to the EC/CD profession.

• Choose one course (Total 3 Units)

AND

• Required Core (Total 9 Units)

• Choose one course (Total 3 Units)

AND

• Required Core (Total 9 Units)

At College of Marin: 

• ECE serves 249 students on average; 201 are ECE Majors
• Only 4 students received a Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education This is across three years of data. 
• This is less than 2% of all ECE majors (1.6%)
• Students are earning the one and only certificate we have with an average of 101.5 units
• An associate’s degree is 60 units on average. A BA is 120 units.
• On average it takes ECE students 8.4 terms (~2.8 years) to earn the certificate.

There are no conflicts or negative impacts expected in offering this certificate considering 1) the enormous demand in this industry, and 2) College of Marin already offers the program as a skills certificate. We are aligning to best practice as evidenced by the certificate structure for ECE across many bay area.