Certificate in Early Childhood
Development
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Certificate in Early Childhood Development Program Details
Total Credits
18
Program Duration
1 Year
Location
- Washington, DC
- Falls Church, VA
- Online
MSCHE Accredited
University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.*
Real-World Practitioners
Learn from experienced childhood development professionals. Your goals are unique, and your education should be, too. Potomac’s faculty and staff bring the depth of knowledge you need to thrive.
Classes That Work with You
Continue your education without skipping a beat in your current role thanks to flexible online study. You can also choose to take some classes in person, if you’re near Washington, DC or Falls Church, Virginia—whatever fits your schedule.
Certificate in Early Childhood Development Program Overview
The Potomac Certificate in Early Childhood Development equips you for entry-level childhood development opportunities quickly. Credits you earn in this program may be able to transfer to a Potomac degree later.
What You Will Learn
Core Curriculum
Explore the core childhood development functions and build essential practical knowledge in your field. Gain college-level knowledge you can use to pursue opportunities quickly.
Courses and Curriculum
- ECD101 Introduction to Early Childhood Development
- ECD102 Growth and Development I
- ECD202 Growth and Development II
- ECD105 Guidance and Classroom Management
- ECD200 Movement and Music for Children
- ECD210 Principles of Ethics and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Requirements and Outcomes
Graduates of the Certificate in Early Childhood Development program will be able to:
- Have and enhanced understanding of childhood development.
- Gain fundamental understanding of how children grow and learn, plus skills to support teachers in Pre-K–3 classrooms.
- Explore common child development milestones, essential principles of how children learn, and ethical considerations when caring for children.
Applicants must complete the following steps to apply.
General Admission Requirements:
- Submission of a completed application for admission.
- Submission of a signed attestation of high school (or equivalent) completion.
- Equivalencies can include GED certificates or international credentials that meet our international admissions standards. Home-schooled students must present a diploma that meets the high school graduation requirements of the state in which it was issued.
- Arrange for official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended to be submitted to the Office of Records and Registration, University of the Potomac.
- Submit grade reports or scores from any recognized college-equivalency examinations (e.g., CLEP, DANTES, and Advanced Placement).
- Submit certificates from any corporate education training or professional development programs. (Note: An ACE evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for corporate educational training.)
- Submit military training documents. (Note: An ACE military evaluation form may be required to determine appropriate credit for military training.)
- Complete an admissions interview (in person or virtual).
Tuition is calculated per credit hour. Most courses are worth three credits each. Costs below are for domestic (U.S.-based) students only:
- Certificate in Early Childhood Development Tuition: $240 per credit hour
Additional fees apply. Financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify. Learn more here.
Ready to Get Started?
Start mapping out the road to your professional goals in childhood development. Talk to a University of the Potomac admissions advisor today!
*University of the Potomac is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE or Commission). The Commission’s most recent action on the institution’s accreditation status was reaffirmation on March 18, 2025. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2031-2032. MSCHE is a global institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (“candidacy status”) activities for institutions of higher education including distance, correspondence education, and direct assessment programs offered at those institutions. The Commission’s geographic area of accrediting activities is throughout the United States.