Early Childhood Education Certificate in Curriculum Connections
The Curriculum Connections Certificate — the third in a series of five required to earn a BA in Early Childhood Education — emphasizes the importance of student interest and outcomes and how they relate to curriculum development. Throughout the eight courses, you’ll see how curriculum development, observation, and assessment can maximize student potential.
National Head Start Agency (NHSA) logo
NU — in collaboration with the National Head Start Agency (NHSA) — has created a pathway that integrates the BA in ECE degree requirements with General Education (GE) requirements to provide a more efficient and engaging path to an early childhood education degree. Pathway certificates have themes: “Building Bridges,” “Advocate, Connect, Engage,” and “Moving Up.” Each focuses on specific content paired with GE courses to provide a more meaningful student experience.
Early childhood education certificates consist of eight courses and are usually completed in eight months. NHSA students with the CDA Credential will be eligible for credit for the following courses: ECE 201, ECE 210, and HED 220 (on the “Building Bridges” certificate). There may be other opportunities for prior learning credit in the “Moving Up” certificate.
National Head Start Agency (NHSA) students may ONLY participate in a certificate pathway to the BA ECE. See the “Certificate” section of the catalog for more detailed information.
Note: NHSA students with the CDA Credential will be eligible for credit for the following lower-division preparation-for-the-majo
Course Name
ECE 312 Infant and Toddler Care – 4.50
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus is on infants and toddlers in group care settings. Emphasis is on close, caring relationships in the cultural context of the child and family, understanding developmental milestones, the identification of special needs, and current issues of health, safety and nutrition.
ECE 415 Designing Emergent Curriculum – 4.50
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on essential elements of curriculum design including writing of goals, learning outcomes, developmentally appropriate activities, assessment measures and integration of the arts. Alignment with national and state standards stressed.
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology – 4.50
A survey of the field of psychology that provides an overview of the scientific principles and theories in psychology. Topics include: biological psychology, abnormal behavior, motivation, emotion, sexuality and gender, and personality theory.
ENG 240 Advanced Composition – 4.50
Prerequisite: Eng 102
An advanced course in writing that emphasizes discipline-specific research strategies, formulating research niches, and framing persuasive arguments in the disciplines.
ECE 430 Play as Pedagogy – 4.50
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on play as the primary learning modality for young children. Theoretical basis for play as a means of teaching, role in learning and as a means of assessment emphasized.
ECE 440 Observing, Assessing, & Planning – 4.50
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on acquiring and enhancing skills in the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation, reporting of screening assessment instruments. Emphasis on designing and implementing curricula based on assessment results.
ECE 452 Partnering With Families – 4.50
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on acquiring knowledge through current research and developmental theories to plan responsive environments that strengthen family-school partnerships. Will explore through case studies optimum communication techniques for building and maintaining positive relationships with family members.
ILR 260 Academic Information Literacy – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
A cross-disciplinary course that teaches effective report and research paper writing through the use of key computer technologies. Topics include library and Internet research; information organization, evaluation, and synthesis; MLA and APA style formats; and the use of document-production, image-editing, and presentation software.
Degree and Course Requirements
8 courses; 4.5 credits per course
Total: 36 Credits
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
Identify essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas and resources for early childhood education
Develop oral, written, and technological skills for communicating with families and very young children
Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for young children
Use systematic observations, documentation, and other assessment strategies — in partnership with families and professionals — to positively influence children’s development and learning
Implement a curriculum that promotes development and learning outcomes for diverse young children
Demonstrate ethical, legal, and professional standards in early childhood education
Create positive relationships and supportive interactions with young children
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