Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

Division of Continuing and Global Education

24 Unit Early Education Certificate Program

Interested? Complete the contact form below or join us in one of our informational sessions on:
  • January 11, February 8, March 14, April 11 or May 9.
All info sessions will be held at 6:30pm on their respective dates, via Zoom. To join any of these informational sessions, please contact and RSVP to: ece-certificate-program@mail.fresnostate.edu

State of California Requirement

Under the purview of The California Department of Education (CDE), requires credentialed teachers who are first assigned to a TK classroom after July 1, 2015, to have one of the following by August 1, 2025; At least 24 units in early childhood education, or childhood development, or both.
Education Code Section 48000

Subject Matter Competence

Completion of 24-semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in early childhood education and/or child development. (Please visit the link below, bottom of page 6 of the handbook).
PK-3 Handbook

The 24 unit TK-ECE Certificate offers intensive preparation for teachers who have, or are obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and want to enhance their ECE qualifications for teaching in TK or K classrooms.

The program consists of 24 units of required coursework and is a learning community of ECE professionals who demonstrate knowledge, skills and dispositions that promote development and learning for children attending TK, Kindergarten, Preschool and other ECE programs; Create developmentally appropriate and responsive early learning environments that address common core standards for state-funded programs; Are responsive to ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity, and have expertise in English language development; Utilize strategies to include children with a variety of special needs; Apply current ECE research to ECE practice and implement the latest technology. Engage in reflection, documentation, self-assessment and life-long learning; Advocate for children, families and quality ECE practices.

Course Fees

The cost per unit for each course is $305, totaling $915 per course or $7,320 for completing the whole certificate program. Fees for each course are separate.

Instruction

All courses will be offered online - NO in person meetings! All courses are 3 units with approximately 10-12 hours of instruction per class, the rest is self paced online.

Payment Due Dates

50% of the fees are due by the first class meeting and the remaining 50% is due by halfway point of class.

Required Courses

The ECE 24-Unit TK Certificate Program has eight required courses offered through the Division of Continuing and Global Education (CGE). ECE graduate students admitted to Fresno State may be allowed to substitute some of the courses in their graduate studies leading to the MA degree as indicated in parentheses. Below, please see the schedule for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 courses. Please note that classes also have asynchronous work outside of the synchronous meeting days and times, and some courses start date is before the first synchronous meeting. All synchronous meetings will be via Zoom.

Tentative Schedule
Date Range Meeting Days and Times Course Description
10/2 - 10/31, 2023 Saturdays; 9:00am - 12:00pm LEE 101S Early Learning for School Success
11/1 - 11/30, 2023 Wednesdays; 5:00 - 7:00pm LEE 180T Family Partnerships and Positive Guidance
12/4 -12/22, 2023 Mondays and Wednesdays; 6:00 - 8:00pm LEE 180T Communicative Literacy in ECE
1/2 - 1/31, 2024 Wednesdays; 6:00 - 9:00pm LEE 180T Diversity , Inclusion, and Language Development in ECE
2/5 - 2/29, 2024 Tuesdays; 5:00 - 9:00pm LEE 171 Trends and Issues in ECE
3/1 - 3/31, 2024 Wednesdays; 5:00 - 7:00pm LEE 180T STEAM in ECE
4/1 - 4/30, 2024 Tuesdays; 6:00 - 9:00pm LEE 153 TK and K Learning Environments
5/1 - 5/31, 2024 Wednesdays; 5:00 - 7:00pm LEE 180T Communicative Literacy in ECE
5/1 - 5/31, 2024 No meetings, fully online (asynchronous) LEE 180T Field Experience in ECE

This introductory class examines research and best practices as recommended by the California Learning Foundations to support academic success. Course topics include: child development and learning, early literacy, adult-child interaction, early learning approaches, ECE environment, observational assessment, and early intervention strategies. 

This course explores ECE program and curriculum models that encourage partnering with families to support children's learning and development. Other topics include how to establish positive relationships, home visiting, home-based services and community resources. Positive guidance, healthy social-emotional development and stress reduction are covered. (3 units)

Play-based Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math inquiries and activities based on every day and active learning experiences take into account the developmental needs and learning styles of young children. California Common Core Standards for Math and Science, Next Generation Science standards and related resources for ECE classrooms, and pedagogical practices and documentation methods that inform curriculum development and instruction are highlighted. (MA course, LEE 233 may be substituted) (3 units)

A comprehensive study of the field of early childhood education, including principles of early childhood education, parent relations, use of community resources, and organization of programs in early childhood education.

Organizing the ECE classroom involves developing curriculum, selecting materials, designing indoor and outdoor environments, scheduling, grouping and working with other ECE professionals and parents. Participants will learn about the QRIS system and how to use observational- and evidence-based assessments such as ECERS-3, CLASS and DRDP to improve the ECE classroom environment, enhance interactions, expand learning opportunities and modify the learning environment for children with special needs. (3 units)

Literacy integrates spoken and written language, literature study and thematic topics to promote communication and literacy acquisition of literacy and address the multiple abilities of diverse learners while meeting California common core standards and TK and Kindergarten goals. The course includes the California Preschool and Kindergarten curriculum frameworks, Desired Results system, and developmentally appropriate assessment strategies to guide literacy instruction. (MA course, LEE 232 may be substituted)

Culture is interpreted broadly including: student family, ethnicity, language, the culture of the profession, and classroom culture. This course examines how culture, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of children can become resources for creating inclusive TK & K programs and creating responsive curriculum for young children with an emphasis on teaching strategies for English learners. (MA in ECE course, LEE 271 may be substituted)

This supervised ECE field experience in a preschool, TK, or K classroom Includes work with children and families, meetings and consultations with other ECE professionals in TK and K and related programs. Prerequisite: Completion of one of the required TK courses. (MA course, LEE 241 may be substituted if 45 hours of field experience are completed in a preschool, TK or K placement) (3 units)

Questions?

Contact ECE-Certificate-Program@mail.fresnostate.edu.

To learn more about upcoming courses, complete the contact form below:

State of California Requirement

This program fulfills the 24 unit early education/child development requirement for transitional kindergarten teachers in the State of California. For more information, visit the CA website.

Universal Prekindergarten FAQs