Nov 24, 2024

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Illinois Early Childhood Education (ECE) Credential Certificate-Levels 2-5 (15-39)

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Certificate of Undergraduate Study

This certificate is designed to meet the standards for the Illinois ECE (Levels 2-5) of the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). The ECE Credential Levels 2-5 is recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) teachers’ criteria for NAEYC Accreditation and by ExceleRate Illinois for quality recognition among early learning providers. Upon successful completion of the required credential course work, students will be eligible to apply for the ECE Levels 2-5 from INCCRRA.

Applicants for the ECE certificate levels 2-5 must major in Child Development and must meet INCCRRA ECE credential requirements for levels 2-5. To earn the certificate, students must maintain a good academic standing in the university, achieve a minimum grade of C in each certificate course, achieve a GPA of 2.50 in all certificate courses, and complete all certificate course work within five academic years.

Core Course for Level 2 (15)

HDFS 230 - Child Development Credits: 3
HDFS 231 - An Observational Approach to the Study and Assessment of Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 284 - Introduction to Family Relationships Credits: 3
HDFS 330 - Principles of Guiding Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 384 - Asian American Families Credits: 3
Completion of 25 hours of approved community service in a child development agency

Core Course for Level 3 (27)

HDFS 230 - Child Development Credits: 3
HDFS 231 - An Observational Approach to the Study and Assessment of Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 284 - Introduction to Family Relationships Credits: 3
HDFS 330 - Principles of Guiding Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 332 - Inclusive Program Planning for Children 3-8 Years of Age and Their Parents Credits: 3
HDFS 384 - Asian American Families Credits: 3
HDFS 399 - Professional Orientation: Issue and Trends in Working with Young Children and Their Families Credits: 3
HDFS 488 - Working with Ethnically Diverse Children and Families in the U.S. Credits: 3
NUTR 405 - Child Health and Nutrition Credits: 3
Completion of 50 hours of approved community service in a child development agency

Core Course for Level 4 (39)

HDFS 230 - Child Development Credits: 3
HDFS 231 - An Observational Approach to the Study and Assessment of Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 284 - Introduction to Family Relationships Credits: 3
HDFS 330 - Principles of Guiding Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 332 - Inclusive Program Planning for Children 3-8 Years of Age and Their Parents Credits: 3
HDFS 384 - Asian American Families Credits: 3
HDFS 399 - Professional Orientation: Issue and Trends in Working with Young Children and Their Families Credits: 3
HDFS 488 - Working with Ethnically Diverse Children and Families in the U.S. Credits: 3
HDFS 490 - Practicum in Infant and Child Development Laboratories Credits: 1-9
Students must complete 9 semester hours in this course.
NUTR 405 - Child Health and Nutrition Credits: 3
Completion of 50 hours of approved community service in a child development agency

Core Course for Level 5 (39)

HDFS 230 - Child Development Credits: 3
HDFS 231 - An Observational Approach to the Study and Assessment of Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 284 - Introduction to Family Relationships Credits: 3
HDFS 330 - Principles of Guiding Young Children Credits: 3
HDFS 332 - Inclusive Program Planning for Children 3-8 Years of Age and Their Parents Credits: 3
HDFS 384 - Asian American Families Credits: 3
HDFS 399 - Professional Orientation: Issue and Trends in Working with Young Children and Their Families Credits: 3
HDFS 432 - Theories of Child Development Credits: 3
HDFS 488 - Working with Ethnically Diverse Children and Families in the U.S. Credits: 3
HDFS 490 - Practicum in Infant and Child Development Laboratories Credits: 1-9
Students must complete 9 semester hours in this course.
NUTR 405 - Child Health and Nutrition Credits: 3
Completion of 50 hours of approved community service in a child development agency