{"id":337,"date":"2024-10-25T18:06:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T18:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/?page_id=337"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:08:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:08:45","slug":"early-childhood-certificate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/prospective-students\/early-childhood-certificate\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/files\/2024\/10\/PKYonge-5-1.jpg&#8221; min_height=&#8221;500px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;38px||38px||true|&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;50px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; positioning=&#8221;none&#8221; position_origin_a=&#8221;bottom_center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||29px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_code disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||10px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/\">Early Childhood Education<\/a><\/span><\/span><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;6ead9e23-a4a1-437a-a896-50e45a9eb2eb&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; link_font=&#8221;|800||on|||||&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; link_font_size=&#8221;13px&#8221; link_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Online Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Policy<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; text_font=&#8221;|600||on|||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; link_font=&#8221;||||on||||&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; link_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; link_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_3_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; min_height=&#8221;31.8px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;10px||0px||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"degree-submenu-link\" href=\"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/coe-online\/tuition-and-fees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tuition and Fees<\/a><a class=\"degree-submenu-link\" href=\"mailto:kathrynchapman@ufl.edu\">Email Coordinator<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||7px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.20.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; header_2_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#1F7E98&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||20px||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>Program Overview<\/h2>\n<p>This<strong> fully online 12-credit graduate certificate<\/strong> in Early Childhood Care and Education Policy supports the development of a robust cadre of early childhood leaders and policymakers equipped to effectively serve young children. With fully online coursework covering leadership, policy advocacy, theory and analysis, the certificate provides the training needed to effectively lead organizations, contribute to policy-making, and analyze early childhood policy at the local, state, and federal level.<\/p>\n<p>The graduate certificate is offered through collaboration across UF Centers and Schools, providing students with access to leading scholars in early childhood, education policy, and leadership. As part of a national network of universities advancing early childhood policy, the graduate certificate prepares candidates with the latest in research-based approaches to effective policy-making for young children.<\/p>\n<p>The certificate can be pursued as a standalone credential by working professionals as well as integrated into the academic program of master\u2019s and doctoral students from across the university.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=&#8221;Scholarship and Funding Opportunities&#8221; use_icon=&#8221;on&#8221; font_icon=&#8221;&#xf0a1;||fa||900&#8243; icon_color=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; icon_placement=&#8221;left&#8221; content_max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;24px|24px|0px|24px|false|true&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_all=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; header_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>Unique opportunities are available to support education professionals seeking to earn their Early Childhood Education degree. We encourage you to explore the following avenues for tuition and resource support.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/teach-fl.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship:<\/strong><\/a> Individuals working in early learning and childcare programs can apply for this scholarship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;16px||16px||true|&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; header_2_font=&#8221;|300|||||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Lato|900||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#CC4927&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; header_3_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||32px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Program Highlights<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3>Local Collaboration and a National Network in Early Childhood Policy<\/h3>\n<p>The graduate certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Policy is a collaborative program offering between faculty in UF\u2019s<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ufedpolicy.org\/\">Education Policy Research Center<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>and the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ceecs.education.ufl.edu\/\">Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies<\/a>. With courses taught by faculty from Early Childhood Education and Educational Leadership, students are prepared to be leaders in early childhood policy.<\/p>\n<p>This collaborative environment is formalized in<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/eprc\/seminar-series\/ecp-cc\/\">UF\u2019s Early Childhood Policy Centers Collaborative<\/a>, a working group of faculty from across university centers and departments with a commitment to teaching, research, and service that improves the field of early childhood policy. The Early Childhood Policy Centers Collaborative is part of a national network of institutions of higher education who are advancing the field of early childhood policy. Inclusion in the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecpolicy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Early Childhood Policy in<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecpolicy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Institutions of Higher Education (ECPIHE)<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>places UF among a select group of universities nationwide who are the national leaders in early childhood policy.\u00a0 Graduate certificate coursework and other opportunities are based on this national model, providing the latest in evidence-based approaches to early childhood policy.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Course Requirements<\/h3>\n<p>Complete the following four courses with grades of B or higher:[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;EEC 6636 Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues in Early Childhood Policy (3 credit hours &#8211; Spring Semester Only)&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d2314567-af99-4850-a9ca-5356b82ac93c&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_font=&#8221;Lato|700|||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; body_link_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#EDBA75&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li>Provides a thorough overview of the pedagogy, practices, policies, and issues framing the design and delivery of contemporary ECEC. Central to such formulations, the role of parents and families is addressed as a critical contouring variable. Designed in three units, the course addresses: (i) understanding early childhood education and care practice and policy in the US; (ii) identifying critical policy challenges; and (iii) addressing critical policy challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By the end of this course, students will:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Demonstrate knowledge of the major theoretical approaches to early childhood pedagogy.<\/li>\n<li>Explicate the major challenges facing contemporary early childhood educators and policymakers.<\/li>\n<li>Explain the need for and approaches to a systems orientation to guide practice and policy.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the important and diverse roles that families play in the development, care, and education of their children, and the services that impact them both.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate their understanding regarding framing of the policy zeitgeist and the major policies affecting young children\u00a0in the United States today.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;EEC 6665 History, Child Development, and Equity in Early Childhood Policy (3 credit hours &#8211; Fall Semester Only)&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d2314567-af99-4850-a9ca-5356b82ac93c&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_font=&#8221;Lato|700|||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; body_link_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#EDBA75&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li>Provides an overview of the developmental science that informs policy and program development; social, political and economic forces that shape the study of young children and contribute to developmental trajectories with an emphasis on equity; changing roles of families; and implications of these issues for policies affecting young children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By the end of this course, students will:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Identify and describe past and current social forces that shape the development of policies related to early development and learning including early childhood care and education (ECCE) for children who represent racial, cultural, linguistical, developmental, and social class diversity.<\/li>\n<li>Discuss and relate the developmental period from birth to age five to the role ECCE principles and science have played in influencing current early childhood policy concerns (e.g., access and equity).<\/li>\n<li>Analyze and evaluate the contributions of specific areas of research and specific ECCE principles on early childhood policy.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze and evaluate equity-oriented early childhood policies that promote inclusion and social well-being, including those written for individuals with or at risk for disabilities, dual-language learners, children who are racially or ethnically diverse, children who are refugees, and their access to high-quality ECCE.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze and evaluate the tensions that may exist in addressing inequities through targeted early childhood policies that increase segregation of particular groups of children (e.g., children who are dual language learners, children who are racially or ethnically diverse, children who are refugees, or children with or at risk for disabilities).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol>\n<li>Generate a list of current challenging social issues related to child development and learning research and policy that remain unanswered, as well as the possible limitations of policy solutions to these issues.<\/li>\n<li>Debate policies regarding the accessibility and equity of ECCE in the United States.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;EEC 6667 Theory and Analysis in Early Childhood Policy (3 credit hours &#8211; Summer Semester Only)&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d2314567-af99-4850-a9ca-5356b82ac93c&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_font=&#8221;Lato|700|||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; body_link_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#EDBA75&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li>Provides an interdisciplinary perspective on early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy, focusing on the systematic study, analysis, and interpretation of policy. Designed to help students understand the role of policy analysis in the policy process, and to explore theoretical frames used in ECEC policy discourse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By the end of this course, students will:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Demonstrate understanding that ECEC policy is not value-neutral but is influenced by and interpreted through different theoretical frames that reflect different disciplinary and values-based perspectives.<\/li>\n<li>Compare and contrast different theoretical frames and analytic approaches to current ECEC policies.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate understanding of how theory and policy analysis contribute to policy decisions at different stages of the policy cycle.<\/li>\n<li>Recognize and produce effective policy writing and analysis.<\/li>\n<li>Define and demonstrate their own, personalized situatedness in the broad field of policy research and analysis.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;EEC 7056: Early Childhood Policy and Advocacy (3 credit hours &#8211; Spring Semester Only)&#8221; open_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; closed_toggle_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; open_icon_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d2314567-af99-4850-a9ca-5356b82ac93c&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; title_font=&#8221;Lato|700|||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;17px&#8221; body_link_text_color=&#8221;#194588&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#EDBA75&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li>Focuses on understanding, analyzing, and evaluating early childhood policies at federal, state, and local levels and internationally. Analyzes relationships among early childhood policies, research, and practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>By the end of this course, students will:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Generate working definitions of governance and policy for application in early childhood.<\/li>\n<li>Compare and contrast frameworks often used to inform early childhood policy: (a) risk, resilience, and ecological frameworks; (b) promotion, prevention, and intervention frameworks, (c) biodevelopmental framework; (d) eco-bio-developmental-behavioral framework.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze and evaluate relationships among early childhood policies, research, and practices.<\/li>\n<li>Appraise how early childhood policies impact states; communities; early childhood programs; early childhood practitioners, children, and families; and other stakeholders.<\/li>\n<li>Appraise the impact of diversity and cultural differences on the development, implementation, and evaluation of early childhood policies.<\/li>\n<li>Identify and relate various early childhood \u201csectors\u201d and investigate policies and policy alignments within and across these sectors.<\/li>\n<li>Analyze and evaluate early childhood policy concepts, constructs, principles, and indicators that influence policy development, implementation, and evaluation.<\/li>\n<li>Compare and contrast early childhood policies at the federal, state, and local levels as well as internationally.<\/li>\n<li>Judge alignments between early childhood \u201cpolicies on the books\u201d and \u201cpolicies on the streets\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Describe strategies effective for advocating for resources and supports that ensure young children and their families benefit from evidence-informed policies and practices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_menu menu_id=&#8221;5&#8243; module_class=&#8221;pa-vertical-menu&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; menu_font=&#8221;Lato|700|||||||&#8221; menu_text_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; menu_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#E8E8E8&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||20px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px|20px|20px|20px|false|false&#8221; custom_css_before=&#8221;content:&#8217;Menu&#8217;;&#8221; custom_css_menu_link=&#8221;margin-left: 8px; &#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_menu][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||20px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"apply-button\"><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><a class=\"apply-now-button\" href=\"https:\/\/admissions.ufl.edu\/apply\/certificates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apply Today!<\/a>  <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><\/div>\n<p><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;af4a7755-220f-4714-a295-b02117f5d976&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Lato|900||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_align=&#8221;center&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#EDBA75&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221; header_2_letter_spacing=&#8221;1px&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#1C2F3D&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Request Information<\/h2>\n<p><em>Sign up for updates about our program!<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f147-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"147\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/early-childhood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/337#wpcf7-f147-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"147\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f147-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_recaptcha_response\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<div class=\"sidebar-contact-form\">\n\t<p><label aria-label=\"Name\" ><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"your-name\" \/><\/span> <\/label><br \/>\n<label aria-label=\"Email\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"your-email\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-email wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-email\" autocomplete=\"email\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Email\" value=\"\" type=\"email\" name=\"your-email\" \/><\/span> <\/label><br \/>\n<label aria-label=\"Program of Interest\" style=\"color: white; text-transform: none; letter-spacing: 0px; font-weight: 400; text-align: left !important;\">Program of Interest<br \/>\n<span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"program-options\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"program-options\"><option value=\"\">&#8212;Please choose an option&#8212;<\/option><option value=\"On-Campus Doctoral Concentration\">On-Campus Doctoral Concentration<\/option><option value=\"PH.D. Grad Minor\">PH.D. Grad Minor<\/option><option value=\"On-Campus M.A.E. - Traditional Early Childhood Track\">On-Campus M.A.E. - Traditional Early Childhood Track<\/option><option value=\"Online M.A.E.- Early Childhood Policy Track\">Online M.A.E.- Early Childhood Policy Track<\/option><option value=\"Online M.A.E. - Early Childhood Practitioner Leader Track\">Online M.A.E. - Early Childhood Practitioner Leader Track<\/option><option value=\"Online Grad Certificate - Early Childhood Education\">Online Grad Certificate - Early Childhood Education<\/option><option value=\"Online Grad Certificate - Early Childhood Care and Education Policy\">Online Grad Certificate - Early Childhood Care and Education Policy<\/option><option value=\"B.A.E.\">B.A.E.<\/option><option value=\"Online Undergraduate Minor\">Online Undergraduate Minor<\/option><option value=\"Unsure\">Unsure<\/option><\/select><\/span> <\/label><br \/>\n<input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" \/>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_class=&#8221;program-requirements&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/files\/2024\/10\/halftone.png&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_vertical_offset=&#8221;2%&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;50px||50px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;3_5,2_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; header_2_font=&#8221;Lato|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; header_2_letter_spacing=&#8221;2px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Program Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"arrow-bullets\">\n<li>A minimum of a bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a degree deemed equivalent by the University Of Florida Office Of Admission.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A minimum grade point average of 3.0 upper-division (last 60 credits) undergraduate work.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An acceptable grade point average for previous graduate work.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_5&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;d9f96448-0eaf-4f20-969e-e2b67e44bef8&#8243; header_2_font=&#8221;Lato|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; header_2_letter_spacing=&#8221;2px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Program Highlights<\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;25dc9c29-9105-4235-84f1-18c3694a1fdb&#8221; width=&#8221;100%&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;1px||13px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;3px||3px||true|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"highlight-title\">Entry: <\/span>Spring\/Summer\/Fall<br \/><span class=\"highlight-title\">Typical Course Load: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3-6 credit hours<\/span><br \/><span class=\"highlight-title\">Full-Time\/Part-Time: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full-time or Part-time<\/span><br \/><span class=\"highlight-title\">Average Class Size: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><br \/><span class=\"highlight-title\">Application Deadline: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">February 15 (Summer), June 15 (Fall), October 15 (Spring)<\/span><br \/><span class=\"highlight-title\"><\/span><span class=\"highlight-title\">Program Completion: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 academic year or 3 semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer) if Full-Time<br \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"parent":151,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-337","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.0 (Yoast SEO v22.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Online Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Policy - Early Childhood Education<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/early-childhood\/prospective-students\/early-childhood-certificate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" 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