Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
The Literacy and Learning department is offering a 12 semester credit hour post-baccalaureate certificate in Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education. The certificate prepares candidates to become active researchers and advocates in early childhood education and supporting systems. Candidates will obtain a micro-credential and associated certification badge from the graduate school. The hours completed as part of gaining this certificate can be applied to obtaining the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.
Marketable Skills
Marketable skills prepare students for success in a variety of professional settings. Developed through academic coursework, co-curricular engagement, and extracurricular involvement, these skills include communication, critical thinking, teamwork, ethical reasoning, adaptability, and digital literacy. Whether directly related to a student’s major or serving as complementary strengths, marketable skills enhance career readiness and reflect TWU’s commitment to producing graduates who are prepared to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Knowledgeably advocate for changes in educational practices based on current trends, issues, or research to improve the lives of young children and their families in communities and schools.
- Applying knowledge of leadership skills to empower others, including young children, to practice collaboration, cooperation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, orally and in writing.
- Identifying appropriate professional and ethical interactions and behaviors while modeling acceptance of a variety of diverse lifestyles, cultures, ethnicity, family types, religion, and socioeconomic status over the course of their career.
- Critically evaluate text to inform, argue, persuade, or motivate others using research, academic vocabulary, and content knowledge to reliably organize, develop, and elaborate on educational topics.
Admissions
All students must meet the University requirements as outlined in the Admission to the TWU Graduate School section of the catalog.
The academic program may have additional admission criteria that must also be completed as outlined on the program's website.
Degree Requirements
Total Semester Credit Hours Required
12 semester credit hours (SCH).
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ECE 5413 | Leadership, Advocacy and Public Policy for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 5583 | Action Research in the Early Childhood Classroom | 3 |
| ECE 5773 | School, Family, and Cultural Diversity: Community Connections | 3 |
| ECE 5433 | Brain-Based Learning for the Young Child | 3 |
| Total SCHs | 12 | |
