Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices

The Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices is intended for individuals seeking expertise in supporting the learning and development of all young children, including those at-risk or identified with disabilities. Required coursework is focused on culturally responsive practices and interventions that promote access, learning, and participation for all young children and their families. The program is intended for individuals in education or human service fields, such as general early childhood education, nursing, psychology, physical and occupational therapy, social work, speech, and language therapy, who do not possess a California Education Specialist Credential. The Certificate in Inclusive Early Childhood Practices offers an opportunity for students enrolled in professional programs or practicing professionals in education to pursue additional training in working with young children with special needs (from birth to five years) and their families. Further, the trans-disciplinary approach to this training makes the program equally valuable for related professionals, such as physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers.

To be admitted, students must meet the same standards as candidates for a master\u2019s degree program in Special Education. To apply students must hold a 3.0 minimum grade point average.

Students taking the Pierson Test of English (PTE) must post a minimum score of 65. TOEFL - minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 80 on the internet-based test iBT; International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative must obtain a score of 7.0 overall band score.