ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To apply, you must have:
- Experience coaching adults in an early childhood or expanded learning opportunities settings for at least one year
- Attended some basic training related to practice-based coaching (such as the Early Achievers two-day coach framework training, the Expanded Learning Opportunities practice-based coaching training, Head Start Practice-Based Coach Training, etc.)
- Comfort with or willingness to learn to use online technologies. The course is fully online and will use the Canvas platform and the Coaching Companion website. Video recording, uploading and commenting online are critical elements of assignments.
Application requirements are specific and depend on whether the applicant falls into the Early Childhood category or the Expanded Learning Opportunities category.
CATEGORY 1: EARLY CHILDHOOD
To apply, you must have:
- At least one year of experience working in an early childhood-related field, such as a family childcare facility, preschool or childcare center
- Earned a score of “reliable” in CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) or ERS 3 (Environmental Rating Scales 3)
- Basic knowledge of:
- How young children develop and learn from birth to age 5
- What nurturing, stable and learning-extended adult-child interactions look like
- How to respectfully and effectively communicate across cultures
- Identified an educational or caregiving site(s) and at least three educators, staff and/or providers willing to collaborate and be video-recorded with the student on coaching certificate assignments
- A minimum of an associate's degree in early childhood education, child development or human development
Category 2: Expanded learning opportunities (ELO)
To apply, you must have:
- At least one year of experience working in a before- or after-school program or summer program
- Earned a score of “reliable” in YPQA (Youth Program Quality Assessment) and/or SAPQA (School Age Program Quality Assessment) or Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment
- Basic knowledge of:
- How youth develop and learn from school age to adolescence
- What nurturing, stable and learning-extended adult-youth interactions look like
- How to engage families in student learning
- How to respectfully and effectively communicate across cultures
- Identified an educational or caregiving site and at least one client willing to collaborate with the student on coaching certificate assignments
Some college experience is recommended.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you should have at least intermediate English skills to enroll. To learn more, see English Language Proficiency Requirements – Noncredit Programs.
International Students
Because this offering is 100 percent online, no visa is required and international students are welcome to apply. For more information, see Admission Requirements for International Students.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
You must have:
- Access to a computer with Flash and a recent web browser
- A microphone and portable device to video-record coaching sessions
- A high-speed internet connection is recommended
Earning the Certificate
You earn the certificate by adhering to the program's attendance policy and successfully completing all required courses. For more information, see Earning the Certificate.