Certificate Program in Early Childhood Development

The certificate program in early childhood development is designed for students who wish to pursue concentrated study in the area of child development and to gain practical experience working with young children. Please note that this certificate does not provide teacher licensure. To enhance employment opportunities, students are advised to combine the certificate with an undergraduate degree.

The curriculum consists of four courses (16 credits total). Through this coursework, students are provided with broad exposure to important areas of study in general and child psychology. The practicum offers hands-on experience in working with young children at the Purchase College Children’s Center.

Individual courses may be taken without commitment to the entire program. Day and evening courses are available; however, because the Children’s Center offers daytime childcare, PSY 3850 is offered only during the day. Some courses may be offered during summer session, but not every course is offered every year. At least two semesters are required for completion of the program.

Required Courses

1. BPS or PSY 1530 Introduction to Psychology
2. BPS/PSY 2650 Child Development or
   BPS 3350 Developmental Psychology
3. PSY 3850 Practicum in Child Development*
4. One elective in the field of child development, chosen from the following:
   
   • PSY 3170 Theories of Development*
   • PSY 3330 Social Development*
   • PSY 3345 Cognitive Development*
   • PSY 3440 Social Issues in Developmental Psychology*
   • PSY 3490 Development of Language*
   • PSY 3725 Developmental Psychopathology
   • PSY 3845 Gender Development*
   • PSY 4100 Seminar in Early Childhood Development*
   
   *These courses have prerequisites.

For information on current (or upcoming) BPS courses:

• search the schedule of classes at guest.purchase.edu (or, for current students, at my.purchase.edu) or
• go to the Fall/Spring or Summer psychology courses on this site.

For information on current (or upcoming) PSY courses:

• search the schedule of classes at guest.purchase.edu (or, for current students, at my.purchase.edu)

To browse all PSY course descriptions, go to Psychology Courses (School of Natural and Social Sciences).

To earn the certificate, students must be high school graduates and earn a grade of C or higher in certificate courses. Students must also complete an application for the certificate:
Application of the Early Childhood Development Certificate
This form may also be obtained from the instructor for PSY 3850 in the Psychology Board of Study.

For more information, please contact:
Peggy DeCooke, Associate Professor of Psychology
(914) 251-6658
peggy.decooke@purchase.edu.

Updated Feb. 24, 2012