Description

The Equity in Education One-Year Certificate of Completion provides skills and dispositions necessary to recognize and develop inclusive and culturally conscious practices. The program aligns with recommendations and guidelines from professional organizations dedicated to developmentally appropriate and culturally conscious practices in educational settings, such as Rise Up-Oregon's Early Learning System Plan, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Oregon Department of Education-Early Learning Division, and Teaching Tolerance.

The certificate is designed for students who are:

• wishing to work as early childhood educators in settings within diverse communities, such as Head Start, 
• working toward the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and seeking a focus in equity in education,
• early learning advocates and professionals with degrees and certificates seeking additional expertise,
• early childhood and elementary pre-service teachers intending to transfer to higher-education programs with a focus on equity and inclusive practices in educational institutions.

Additionally, this one-year certificate may be used as continuing education for licensed teachers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Examine and challenge systems of oppression that can exist within educational institutions.
2. Explain the implications of bias on children’s learning and development.
3. Assess curriculum and programming for bias and evidence of inclusive practices and access.
4. Explain the purpose and process of observing and documenting learning environments and programming components for developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive pedagogy.
5. Prepare for increasingly diverse classrooms by evaluating self and society for equitable practices that support children and families participating in education systems.
6. Apply effective communication skills and knowledge of professional standards, associations, licensures, and related laws governing early childhood education.

Entrance Requirements

Academic Entrance Requirements

Recommended:

• Complete ED 140 Introduction to Early Childhood Education before taking other Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses.

Other Entrance Requirements

Required:

• The ECE program requires a background check through the Oregon Employment Office-Child Care Division.
• Some field practicum sites may require documentation of current immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact the program director if you have any questions.

• Students should review the program's policies and procedures in the COCC Early Childhood Student Handbook before beginning their coursework. 

Additional Program Costs (Beyond Standard Tuition/Fees and Textbooks)

Material Costs

• Background check ($0 to $70)
• Cost of mileage to and from field placement/practicum sites

Course Requirements

Advising Notes

Students pursuing the ECE certificate should work closely with their academic advisor to align courses with additional certificate and degree goals, including the AAS, AAOT, and transfer goals. Students who are considering the Elementary Education Licensure program through OSU-Cascades may be able to apply several course. Please connect with your advisor to explore options as well as additional classes, such as college success courses, ED 243 Nutrition, Health and Safety for Young Children and LIB 100 Introduction to Finding Information, which may be of benefit. For students who speak a language in addition to English, we encourage the CLEP exam. Please connect with advisors or CAP Services to learn how to register.

For current and potential students who have obtained a Child Development Associate or Step 7 or higher on the Oregon Registry and who wish to apply this toward their AAS or certificates in Early Childhood Education, please speak with the program director, Amy Howell, to discuss options and next steps.

Performance Standards

• Academic Requirements:
  • Students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA to earn a COCC certificate or degree.
  • All courses in the program must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

• Additional Requirements:
  • Must provide evidence of background check clearance, preferably from the Central Background Check from the Oregon Dept. Early Learning and Care (DELC)
  • Adhere to the field placement contract; and
  • Adhere to confidentiality, health-related and no-smoking policies as
    they pertain to field placement settings.

Sample Plan