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Early Childhood Administrative and Leadership Certificate

Early Childhood Administrative and Leadership

Are you looking to move into a leadership position in the field of Early Childhood Education? Do you aspire to open your own childcare center? Are you an entrepreneur seeking the tools to make your venture a success?

The Early Childhood Administrative and Leadership Certificate will provide you with the skills to lead and serve early childhood educators, and create sustainable and fiscally healthy early childhood programs. Learn more by registering for a Virtual Information Session.

Program Details

  • No prerequisites or prior degree required
  • Complete in only 6 months
  • Earn 12 units of academic credit
  • Online coursework at your convenience
  • 4 courses (6 weeks per course)
  • $1,170 per course
  • Financing available!

Who Will Benefit

  • Childcare providers
  • Child Development Specialists
  • Child Life Specialists
  • Early Childhood teachers
  • Owners of in-home child care
  • Those seeking to open a childcare center
  • Emerging leaders in ECE

Career Outcomes

  • Childcare center owner
  • Childcare site supervisor
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Leadership positions
  • Move up in the Child Development Permit Matrix

Scholarships Available!

The Early Childhood Administrative and Leadership Certificate Program offers 19 full scholarships to students who apply and are found eligible. Scholarships are awarded by the Quality Counts California Workforce Development Grant through the California Department of Education (CDE), Early Learning and Care Division and will be paid directly to the University. To be eligible, recipients must be currently working in the Early Childhood Education sector in San Bernardino County. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility criteria on a first-come, first-served basis. For any questions regarding this scholarship opportunity, please contact Dr. Van Schagen at Amy.vanschagen@csusb.edu. 

 

To support the success of scholarship recipients, awardees will be expected to participate in the following:

  • Creating a workforce registry account in San Bernardino County (if a student does not already have one)

  • Create an educational plan with an advisor

  • Meet twice throughout the program with a Higher Education Mentor (via phone or zoom)

  • Complete 3 reflective journals during the certificate program

Meet the Team

Program Coordinator

Amy Van Schagen, Ph.D.

Amy van Schagen, Ph.D.

Dr. Amy van Schagen developed the Early Childhood Administrative Leadership Certificate after serving as an Entrepreneurial Faculty Fellow at CSUSB and receiving a Jack H. Brown College of Business and Administration Teaching Innovation Grant. Dr. V conducted research in the community to identify barriers to accessing higher education for early childhood educators. The ECAL certificate is designed to address some of these barriers by providing courses that are taught in the evenings, a hybrid format (partially online), affordable, applicable for college credit, and taught in the community. The aim of the program is to provide tools for those currently in the field of early childhood education or interested in it to become leaders and feel confident in paving the path for young children using an entrepreneurial mindset and social equity lens.  

Dr. van Schagen is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department, and serves as the Program Director for the ECAL Certificate program and the M.A. Child Development program. Prior to receiving her M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she worked for almost five years as an early childhood teacher. Dr. V has a passion for equity and higher wages in the early childhood workforce, and building access for all young children to have high quality early learning experiences. Outside of her career, Dr. V enjoys hiking, running, the beach, playing with her dogs, and spending time with her partner and family.