Program Overview
The Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Certificate Program at Antioch University New England trains teachers, administrators, and founders of nature preschools and forest kindergartens.
The forest kindergarten movement has been thriving in Europe for the last three decades and has recently taken root in the United States. Simultaneously, there has been a growing number of nature preschools in the United States. Both nature preschools and forest kindergartens have a uniquely different approach to curriculum than conventional indoor early childhood programs.
The objective of the program is to make the courses as practical as possible. Therefore, the goal for each course will be to have each student generate a product that is tangibly useful in their work situation. This will include program brochures, policy development, business plans, curriculum documentation materials a la Reggio, grant proposals, and parent newsletters. Program faculty will provide assistance in content and tone so that founders of new programs can be supported in developing materials to launch their programs.
This certificate is offered by AU New England.
Degree Requirements
Program Length
This is a teacher/administrator professional development option for current early childhood education professionals.
The program takes 13 months and starts in the summer, courses are offered as continuing education credits or graduate school credits. Students are required to take 6 to 8 courses and if the program is taken for credit, these courses will bear in the range of 12-15 credits.
Participants who take these courses for credit will be able to transfer these credits into the Experienced Educators Program within five years if they are interested in a master’s degree (MEd).
Courses
Recommended Sequence for Courses and Electives
First Summer (week-long intensives and electives)
- Nature-based Early Childhood Curriculum
- Childhood and Nature
- Ecology of Imagination
Fall (weekend courses)
- Natural History for Early Childhood
- Movement and Storytelling in the Pre-K Classroom
- Landscape Analysis and Design for Nature Play and Learning
Spring (online and weekend courses)
- Business Planning for NbEC Programs
- Working with Families and Community
- Natural History for Early Childhood – Teaching in Winter
- Early Childhood Education Pre-K to 3rd
- Making Learning Visible through Observation and Documentation
Second Summer (week-long intensives and electives)
- Rish Management for Nature-based Early Childhood
- Leading Inclusion in Nature-based Program
Electives (offered any semester)
- Advanced Topics in Nature-Based Early Childhood
Internship in Nature Preschool or Forest Kindergarten
School Change Practicum in Nature Preschool/Forest Kindergarten
Learning Outcomes
The goals of this certificate program are:
- To provide training and professional development for teachers who wish to teach in nature preschools and forest kindergartens.
- To provide training and professional development for entrepreneurs and administrators who wish to create and administer nature preschools and forest kindergartens.
- To provide training and professional development for early childhood education professionals who would like to incorporate more nature/outdoors programming in their existing early childhood programs.
- To create a network of nature preschools and forest kindergartens in New England to support visitation and support.
- To create resources, (i.e. a website, policy books, parent education material) which support the development and evolution of these programs.
- To create living examples, documentation, and research
Admissions
How to Apply
- Complete the online admissions application, including:
- Essay questions, admissions and program-specific
- Resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
- Non-refundable $50 application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned a degree or certificate.
- email transcripts to [email protected], or
- mail to:
Office of Admissions
Antioch University New England
40 Avon Street
Keene NH 04341-3516
- Two letters of recommendation are required, from people who are in a position to evaluate your professional or academic work. The person making the recommendation may not be related to you.
- There are additional requirements for International applicants and applicants without a Bachelor’s degree
- Interview with a faculty member of the department to which you seek entry if selected. This can be in person, by phone, or via Skype.
- Master’s and Certificate Programs do not require the GRE or any other standardized test for admissions. We consider all of your application materials, and evaluate your academic potential in a variety of ways.
Official transcripts should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Office of Admissions
Antioch University New England
40 Avon Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431-3516
All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.
Application Deadlines
| Term | Date |
|---|---|
| Summer | May 1 |
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |
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Tuition & Financial Aid
A college education is an investment in your future. Let us help you understand the costs and explore the resources available to help make your college education even more affordable. The majority of AUNE students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUNE.
Cost
| Foundations of Education (Experienced Educators) Certificates | Tuition Cost per Credit | Total Program Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Based Learning / Critical Skills Certificate | $754 | 15 |
| Educating for Sustainability Certificate | $754 | 12 |
| Place-based Education Certificate | $754 | 12 |
| Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Certificate | $754 | 12 |
| Mindfulness for Educators Graduate Certificate | $754 | 9 |
| Integrated STEAM Education Certificate | $754 | 15 |
| Certificate in Dyslexia Studies | $754 | 17 |
| Certificate in Reggio Emilia Approach | $754 | 18 |
| Certificate in Trauma Informed Education | $754 | 12 |
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