Reflective Practicum Certificate in Culturally Responsive Early Childhood Education

The cohort runs for six months. Classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays and run from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM for 8 days each quarter (total 60 contact hours).

The CRECE program is designed as a cohort of up to 24 students who move through the three quarters together with two instructors and 1 or 2 writing coaches. Classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays, approximately every other weekend, via synchronous Zoom.

Applicants to the Certificate in Culturally Responsive Early Childhood Education are expected to have the following:

Evidence of ability to do lower division (100 and 200 level) college courses, which could include any of the following: high school diploma, GED or home school certificate; CDA, “30 hours” certificate; or successful completion of CLEP tests; or completion of a continuing education or college course.

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the field.

Attend eight, full-day class sessions each quarter, held on weekends over zoom, forming a dynamic learning community. Class sessions will use the Adult Dual Language Model developed by the Center for Linguistic and Cultural Democracy.
For the 24-25 academic year, cohorts are appropriate for English, Spanish, Tigrinya, Arabic, and Somali speakers. Interpretation will be offered. Bilinguals of other languages are also welcome.

Graduates with this certificate will earn up to 63 credits over 3 quarters, including 18 current learning credits in writing, reflective practice, and other relevant courses, plus up to 45 prior learning credits related to their past professional work.

First Quarter Prior Learning Course Equivalents

• EDUC 1220 Working with Young Dual Language Learners (5 prior learning cr)
• MAT 1030 Business Math (5 prior learning cr)
• EDUC 1320 Introduction to Culturally Relevant Anti-Bias Education
• ECE 1800 Language and Literacy Development (5 prior learning cr)

Second Quarter Prior Learning Course Equivalents

• ART 2070 Cultural Arts (5 prior learning cr)
• ECE 1600 Curriculum Development (5 prior learning cr)
• EDUC 1300 Guiding Behavior (5 prior learning cr)
• EDUC 1420 Supporting Children with Special Needs (5 prior learning cr)
• SCI 2070 Science of Nutrition (5 prior learning cr)
• ECE 1200 Practicum in Early Childhood Education (5 prior learning cr)

Alternate Prior Learning Course Equivalents

Note: these course equivalencies are not specifically tied to coursework; available as substitutes for any of the prior course equivalents integrated into the coursework; your advisor will help you determine the right mix of 45 prior learning credits. If you elect one of these you will need to compile some documentation in addition to class assignments.

• ECE 1050 Intro to Early Childhood Education (5 prior learning cr)
• ECE 1070 Health, Safety, Nutrition (5 prior learning cr)
• ECE 1340 Family Child Care (5 prior learning cr)
• SPA 2050 Conversational Spanish (5 prior learning credits)
• SPA 2051 Narrative Writing in Spanish (5 prior learning credits)
• LANG 2060 Conversational Somali (5 prior learning credits)
• LANG 2061 Narrative Writing in Somali (5 prior learning credits)
• LANG 2070 Conversational Cantonese (5 prior learning credits)
• LANG 2071 Narrative Writing in Cantonese (5 prior learning credits)
• LANG 2100 Special Topics in Language Learning (5 prior learning credits)

Note: Applicants should bring a copy of their transcripts for any ECE courses already taken to be sure not to duplicate prior learning with course work. If a student has already taken one of the course

• Fall ’24: Oct. 5/6, 26/27, Nov.16/17, Dec. 7/8
• Winter ’25: Jan 11&12, Jan 25/26, Feb 15/16, Mar 1/2

Graduates of this certificate are better prepared to advance in the field of early childhood education by having more credits to apply toward a two-year degree and/or a four-year degree, which is the new standard in the field.

• School Age Childcare Provider
• Home Child Care Provider
• Dual Language Preschool Teacher
• Infant-Toddler Teacher