2024-2025 Student Catalog 
    
    Nov 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Student Catalog

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Early Childhood Studies, Certificate



Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:    Certificate
HEGIS Code:            5503
SUNY Code:             2067
Major Code:             ECSC

The Career

This 31-credit hour certificate has been designed to prepare students with a strong foundation in early childhood values and knowledge. Early childhood workers with a certificate are more likely to remain in the field, which is essential to providing a secure learning environment for young children. Their understanding of children’s behavior and family dynamics allows them to interact in ways that are more supportive of children and families.

The certificate in Early Childhood Studies is structured to provide a solid understanding of child development and how children learn in the context of diverse families and communities through course assignments and observations in the field. Coursework provides a balance of skills in writing, communication and mathematics. In completing this certificate, students fulfill the state requirement for Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE).

SUNY Niagara’s Early Childhood Studies Certificate is recognized by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Division of Child Care Services to satisfy the education requirement for the group teacher position for Center-Based Infant-Toddler and Center-Based Preschool classes for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.  Students pursuing the Child Development Associate credential will be required to document their learning in their CDA® professional portfolio.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

The certificate offers seamless transfer into the Human Services associate in arts degree program, the Liberal Arts and Sciences associate in arts degree program and the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences associate in arts degree program. Students in this program will receive individual advisement by faculty which have a special interest and expertise in early childhood education.

Graduates of the Human Services A.A. degree program typically continue their education at local colleges in human services and social work with an emphasis in child and family issues. Graduates of the Liberal Arts and Sciences associate in arts degree program and the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences associate in arts degree program typically continue their education at local colleges in Early Childhood Education.

The mission of Niagara County Community College is to provide the people of the Niagara Region with a teaching and learning environment dedicated to excellence. Offering a Certificate in Early Childhood Studies is congruent with our hallmarks of being student centered, being a comprehensive community college and fostering community partnerships by providing an educational opportunity in the field of early childhood.

Admission

Students are admitted in fall, spring and summer.

Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take more than two semesters of full-time study if a student begins this program in a spring semester.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To prepare graduates to be effective early childhood-care providers

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Promote child development and learning
  • Build family and community relationships

Program Requirements (ECSC)


  1. A total of at least 31-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.0. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the certificate.
  2. Professional Preparation: A minimum of 13-credit hours to include:
     
    HUS 102 - Human Services Internship I  
      OR
     
    ECE 208  -  Early Childhood Education: Ages 3-6 Years 
    ECE 210  -  Anti-Bias in Early Childhood Education  
  3. Humanities: 3-credit hours to include:
      *
  4. Health/Safety Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
      
  5. Social Sciences: 9-credit hours:
     
     
      
  6. Mathematics: 3-credit hours:
      OR
    MAT  ___ - Mathematics General Education approved elective by advisement

Typical Program


Note:


(1) Requires 90 hours in the field, outside of class time.

*  Dependent upon fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

You are responsible for knowing college regulations and for complying with all applicable procedures. Requirements will not be waived or exceptions granted because you claim you were not informed of the requirement. While the personnel of the college and your advisor will endeavor to aid in any way possible, the responsibility of meeting requirements rests with you.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.