Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education Graduate Certificate (50-6854) (15 hours)

Student Learning Outcomes - A student with a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Develop cross-cultural responsiveness and strength-based perspectives within and across family engagement.
• Identify and explain what operations management in early childhood programming involves (i.e., educational leadership, personnel management and human relations).
• Create a collaborative culture that enhances professional practice and identification of common goals to support 21st century teaching, learning, and leadership.
• Explain foundational knowledge of multicultural education and integrate, into personal practice and leadership, a common framework for engaging one’s own story with the story of diverse PK-12 learners and colleagues.
• Identify and discuss important factors affecting quality of early childhood programs including conducting staff recruitment, interview, orientation, supervision and evaluation.

This certificate is designed to support and enhance leadership skills within early childhood education. The Leadership in Early Childhood Education Certificate aligns with the Missouri Association for the Education of Young Children (MO AEYC) Director Credential, meeting criteria upon completion. The certificate consists of Master’s level Early Childhood Education courses approved by the Missouri Department of Higher Education. This certificate is designed to support and engage early education leaders in and outside the classroom promoting learning, achievement, development, and well-being of each early childhood student through leadership development.

Admission Requirements:

• A minimum 2.5 GPA on any courses completed prior to admission.
• Completion of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field.