Early Childhood & Youth Education Certificate and Credential Programs

Preparing today's leaders in early care, after school care and youth programs.

Charter Oak's credential programs were designed for professionals and adult learners seeking continuing education and career advancement opportunities in the popular fields of early childhood education, after school care and education, and youth development.

• Certificate in Infant/Toddler Care
  A voluntary professional development certificate comprised of 12 credits and created through collaboration among Charter Oak State College and Connecticut Charts-A-Course along with local and statewide experts in the field. If you have at least one year's experience working with infants and toddlers in a licensed center based or family care program, current first aid and CPR training, then you may be an excellent candidate for this program.
• Early Childhood Education - Alternate Route to Certification
  A six month intensive teacher certification program with online and in-class weekend instruction. Designed for individuals with at least three years experience in early childhood education, and who already possess a Bachelor's Degree.
• Credential in After School Education
  Are you currently working in an after school program serving elementary or middle school students, and do you seek to advance your career opportunities and gain knowledge and skills to improve program delivery? The Credential in After School Education establishes educational and experiential competency standards for specialists in the care and education of children and youth outside of school hours. Credential requirements target teaching expertise, program management and professional skills to ensure a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to participant needs. All courses are offered online, in accelerated, convenient 8-week terms.
• Connecticut Directors' Credential
  Do you have supervisory and administrative experience in early care and education, but seek credentials that acknowledge your competencies in this important field? The Connecticut Directors' Credential, issued through Charter Oak State College, provides a voluntary system of credentialing with four levels of proficiency. Credential requirements are a combination of experience and education and incorporate core areas of knowledge for Directors. Applicants can meet these requirements through a variety of means: credit-based coursework, non-credit training, or portfolio assessment. Courses may be taken through Charter Oak State College or from any regionally accredited college or university that you choose.
• Connecticut Parenting Educator Credential
  The Connecticut Parenting Educator Credential, a collaboration between Charter Oak State College and the Connecticut Parenting Education Network (CT-PEN), establishes consistent criteria for the knowledge, skills and experience required for parenting educators including home visitors, trainers, facilitators and parenting education coordinators.
• Continuing Education Units (CEU) for Teachers Online
  We are pleased to offer professional development opportunities for teachers through Continuing Education Courses. Charter Oak is an Approved Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Provider #558 with the Connecticut State Department of Education.