This credit-bearing graduate certificate offered by University of Colorado Denver’s School of Education & Human Development in partnership with Boulder Journey School cultivates student’s pedagogical understandings and practices. It supports the capacity to increase the quality of teaching and learning within early childhood programs. Students have the choice of selecting three of six online Reggio-inspired courses to complement their current competencies and experiences. They can choose to articulate their three courses into the 30 credit hour MA in Innovative ECE, also in partnership with Boulder Journey School.

Please Note: Because this is a practice-based certificate program, students are required to maintain a position in either a classroom or an ECE position where you have regular, consistent and ongoing engagement in a classroom within your context.

Students in the Early Childhood Pedagogy certificate program will:

1. Develop an understanding and articulate their personal and professional beliefs about the image of the child, family and teacher, and the teacher’s role in promoting the rights of children to quality teaching and learning.
2. Apply pedagogical and curricular practices with children and colleagues to deepen awareness and understanding of the complexities and opportunities within early childhood education.
3. Cultivate an intentional and inclusive practice of observation, documentation and assessment.
4. Engage across multiple pathways for deepening leadership actions around complex early childhood pedagogical issues and have advocate for opportunities for all young children.

Curriculum

Prior to applying to the program, you will select your three courses together with an advisor during an individual advising session. See more details about scheduling an advising session in the Admissions section below.

Beginning Summer 2023, all courses will be 8 week sessions. Fall and Spring semesters will be divided into two 8 week sessions.

Course choices include: 

Summer 2023 (June 5 - July 28, 2023)

• ECED 6320: A Colorado Interpretation of the Reggio Approach
• LDFS 6420: The Environment as the Third Teacher
• ECED 6340: Messing about with STEM
• ECED 6350: Literacy and the Hundred Languages

Fall 2023 Block 1 (August – October, 2023)

• LDFS 6400: Observation, Documentation and Assessment
• ECED 6350: Literacy and the Hundred Languages of Children

Fall 2023 Block 2 (October – December, 2023)

• ECED 6300: Contextual Curriculum 1
• ECED 6330: Supportive Social Learning

Spring 2024 Block 2 (March – May, 2024)

• ECED 6340: Messing about with STEM
• LDFS 6420: The Environment as the Third Teacher

Cost

Starting Fall 2022, the cost of tuition and fees for the three three-credit courses is $1329 per course, plus textbooks. Students enrolled in non-degree, certificate programs are not eligible to apply for financial aid.