Early Childhood Paraprofessional Educator Certificate

Program Description

The Early Childhood Paraprofessional Educator Certificate provides students with the fundamental courses that are part of the Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education AAT degree program. This certificate provides students with the minimal required courses and number of credits for employment as a paraprofessional in an early childhood education setting (pre-K to grade 3) in the state of Maryland.

Students learn about developmental and learning theories and how these impact diverse children, families, and classrooms. Students plan lessons with developmentally appropriate learning activities, suitable for a multicultural environment, as well as measure children’s mastery of learning. Finally, students also demonstrate dispositions and behaviors consistent with professional and ethical standards.

This is a recommended program of study for students with the goal of gaining employment as a paraprofessional in an early childhood education (pre-K to grade 3) or early childhood special education (Birth-grade 3) setting in the state of Maryland, and/or students who are currently employed as paraprofessionals and would like to begin work toward their Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education AAT degree. 

Students may transfer all courses earned in this certificate to an Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, with the goal of teaching early childhood education, pre-K – grade 3 or early childhood special education, Birth-grade 3.

Students in this program are required to submit to a  criminal background check in order to participate in the required fieldwork courses. More information about the procedure, cost, timeline, etc. can be obtained through the Education Department Advisor.

Participation in the required fieldwork courses is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the criminal background check. If a student is denied a fieldwork placement (which is required to complete the program) due to a  background check result, the student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss options, which could include dropping the course and changing program of study.

Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses in this program.

Program Outcomes

• Identify developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum for specific and groups of children, using knowledge of child development and learning theories
• Design lessons and activities for a variety of purposes and groups of children
• Plan, implement, assess, and evaluate student learning outcomes for a variety of purposes
• Apply multicultural principles and strategies to the planning, instruction, pedagogical, and assessment processes in a classroom

Required Courses (in expected order)

• EGL-1010 Composition I: Expository Writing Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• PSY-1010 General Psychology Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• TED-1100 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3 (Program Requirement; Critical Course)
• TED-1200 Child Growth and Development Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• MAT-1050 Elements of Numbers and Operations Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• EGL-1020 Composition II: Writing About Literature Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• TED-1300 Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• TED-1400 Introduction to Multicultural Education Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• BIO-1010 General Biology Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• HST-1410 History of the United States to 1877 Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• EGL-2230 Children’s Literature Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• MAT-1060 Elements of Geometry and Measurement Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• ART-2730 Integrated Arts Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)
• PSC-1200 Exploring Chemistry and Physics Concepts Credits: 4 (Program Requirement)
• TED-2100 Processes and Acquisition of Reading Credits: 3 (Program Requirement)

Program Total: 49 Credits

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