Birth Through Five, Graduate Certificate

Students can begin the program in any semester and earn their certificate within 2 to 3 semesters depending on course load.

When applying to the Birth Through Five Graduate Certificate you will need to submit several documents for review:

• Online application
• Application fee of $50
• Goals statement (upload with the application – goal statement should be no more than two-typed pages double spaced that summarizes career goals related to early childhood education, previous work experience with children, anticipated contribution to the program, and ability to work in a team environment)
• Resume (upload with the application)
• Official transcript(s): minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA or a master’s degree required for admission consideration.
  • Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

The Birth Through Five Graduate Certificate program is a 12-month, fully online graduate certificate program. Prospective post-bachelor degree students receive advanced-level educational experiences focused on innovative research and equity-based professional learning best practices for the young learner.

Five three-credit-hour courses comprise the program. It serves as a pathway for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree within the Early Childhood and Elementary Education department. The courses are not sequential and are offered once per year in fall, spring or summer in lieu of a cohort model.

Specifically, students can use all 15 hours of the certificate program towards the Master of Arts in Creative and Innovative Education degree program.

Students in the Birth Through Five Graduate Certificate program will have the opportunity to collaborate with and engage in coursework experiences with local, state, national and international professionals and leaders in early care and education.

Students will also build a professional portfolio that demonstrates advanced foundational knowledge of key concepts in child development, educational equity and early childhood education.

Program of Study

• BRFV 7200 Introduction to Administration and Organization of Programs for Young Children (3)
• BRFV 7250 Professional and Ethical Practice: Birth Through Five (3)
• BRFV 7360 Child Guidance Birth Through Five (3)
• ECE 7990 Special Topics (3)
• ECE 8100 Children in Society (3)

Program total: 15 semester hours

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

While this program will not be offered using a cohort model, each course will be offered once per year (fall, spring or summer) to allow for 12-month completions. The courses are not sequential which will allow for three enrollment options per year. We project 25-30 participants each year. We expect a long lifespan of this program. Demand should increase with time given demographic shifts.

Goals and outcomes of this online graduate certificate include:

• Examining historical and contemporary theories and practices related to human development in childhood
• Identifying concepts of childhood from a variety of cultures and historical periods
• Developing knowledge and skills in planning, implementing and maintaining an effective early childhood program
• Demonstrating knowledge, skills and dispositions that enable effective professional work in a variety of settings with children aged birth through five years of age
• Demonstrating ability to design and implement in-school and out-of-school experiences that are equitable and culturally relevant, and promote children’s holistic development (physical, cognitive, cultural, social and emotional aspects of development and ways of collaborating with parents and the community)