Early Childhood Leadership Certificate

Early Childhood Leadership Credential/Certificate (12 credits)

As an early childhood professional, you have the vision to lead and the passion to succeed. Now, begin your own journey to ignite your fire and become the exceptional leader you are meant to be!

The Leadership Credential provides the building blocks for successful leadership and grows leadership capacity by focusing on skill development, dispositions, new directions, and visionary change. It complements the Administrator Credential (focus on day-to-day operations and management) and the Program Development Credential (focus on program implementation in high-quality learning environments). Together, these three credentials provide early care and education professionals at all levels with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and sustain high-caliber programs for young children.

The overarching themes for this four-course series include the importance of excellence and diversity in early childhood programs, and the role of vision and reflective practice in reaching these goals.

Courses (required in the following order; courses available for undergraduate or graduate credit and non-credit)

The Personal Disposition of a Leader

Learn what it takes to become an effective leader. Examine the importance of vision, emotional intelligence, resilience, optimism and reflection. This course is all about you and your vision.

Leading in Your Program

Learn the leadership roles, responsibilities, and skills necessary for excellence in early care and education programs. Study examples of leadership and learn to apply those skills in your own position.

Leading in your Community and the Field

Go beyond individual programs to leadership in your community and the field. Focus on collaboration, interconnections, relationships and advocacy. This course prepares and encourages you to take your leadership to the next level.

Leading for Change

Your final step! Examine transformational leadership, change theories, action research and advocacy strategies. During this capstone course you will use your skills to conduct action research, work toward change and make a difference.

To take these courses for UNIVERSITY CREDIT, please call Liz Weber directly at 414-227-3334.

Single courses can be taken without the pursuit of the certificate.