Harper College will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Program facts 
Prepare for a teaching career with this certificate program. Take classes in areas such as introduction to early childhood education; child development, assessment and guidance; principles of early child curriculum; health, nutrition and safety; child-family-community and students with disabilities in school.
You’ll also obtain hands-on experience working with children under the direction of skilled educational professionals in the Harper College Early Childhood Laboratory School, an on-site preschool facility.
Credit earned for this certificate can be applied to the Early Childhood Education A.A.S. Degree—Teacher specialization at Harper College.
This 30 credit-hour curriculum will qualify students for the Illinois ECE Credential Level 3. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate program meets the minimal educational requirements established by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services for an early childhood teacher who has also obtained one year of experience in a licensed center.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Early Childhood Education Courses | ||
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 102 | Child Development | 3 |
| ECE 115 | Principles of Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| ECE 226 | Assessment and Guidance | 3 |
| ECE 250 | Health, Nutrition and Safety | 3 |
| ECE 252 | Child-Family-Community | 3 |
| EDU 219 | Students with Disabilities in School | 3 |
| Required General Education Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | 3 | |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Placement into college-level mathematics without support. See the math placement grid for more information.
Students interested in early childhood education may also be interested in:
For more information about teaching courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.