Early Childhood Leadership
Graduate Certificate
Admission | Certificate Requirements
Arcadia University’s 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) is designed to provide leaders in early childhood education the tools they need to manage change in this quickly evolving field. Students learn to initiate and implement best practices to manage human resources and finances within their organizations, using data-driven decision making. Through this certificate program, Arcadia is a leader in fostering the broad-based goals of Pennsylvania’s early childhood education initiatives to produce highly qualified leaders in the field.
The Profession
Early Childhood education is undergoing a transformation in both levels of professionalism and expectations. To manage this change, leaders need to implement solid business practices in providing quality early education and integrating performance and fiscal standards into program design. Pennsylvania uses the PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Training for School and Early Childhood Program Leaders and is implementing a closer alignment of early education within the K-12 school system. Acknowledging this connection, all four of the courses in Arcadia University’s Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership use the PIL standards as an important backbone of course content.
The Program
Arcadia’s Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership helps existing leaders in the field hone their skills in managing change, supervising teaching and learning, and managing fiscal and human resources effectively. The program focuses on preparing early childhood leaders to affect real change in their organizations that will nurture the teacher-parent-child relationship and positively influence the community at large.
Classes are taught by highly qualified instructors in educational leadership. The 12 credits earned in this certificate program may be applied to a Master of Education degree with departmental approval and advising.
Students of the program will learn to integrate the following skills into their professional lives:
- Methodology for teacher supervision
- Use of teacher evaluation feedback to increase learning outcomes
- Management of budgets
- Management of multiple revenue sources
- Management of employees within the organization
- Conflict resolution
- Use of data to initiate positive change within the organization
The Early Childhood Leadership program is designed for current and future leaders in the field of early childhood education. With early childhood education undergoing a transformation in both expectations and levels of professionalism, EC leaders need to be well prepared. Arcadia’s program prepares such professionals to manage change, implement solid business practices, and integrate performance and fiscal standards into program design. The PA Director Credential issued by Pennsylvania Key, instructs EC leaders in program planning, communication strategies, and instructional leadership. For additional EC leadership development, Arcadia’s Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership uses the PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) Training for School and Early Childhood Program Leaders as the backbone of course content to help leaders hone their skills in managing change, supervising teaching and learning, and managing fiscal and human resources effectively.
Credit Toward a Graduate Degree in Education
With departmental approval and advising, the 12 credits earned in the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Leadership may be applied to a Master of Education degree program with a concentration in Early Childhood Education.
Academic Policies
Students in Arcadia University Graduate Certificate programs are subject to the academic policies of the University.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements for graduate students, the following program-specific requirements must be met:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field.
- A PA Director Credential or permission from the adviser.
Certificate Requirements
(12 credits)
- ED 635 EC Supervision of Teaching and Learning
- ED 645 EC Human Relations and Negotiations
- ED 638 EC School Finance
- ED 647 EC Leading Schools with Data Driven Decision Making
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of our students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.arcadia.edu/gainful.
