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Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum: Certificate Programs

Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education

Program Overview

 

The certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) emphasizes the professional preparation of students at the graduate levels for a range of careers in early childhood education (children ages 0-8) within diverse community contexts. The completion of six Early Childhood Education graduate courses provides preparation for working with young children and their families and communities. This program prepares candidates for a highly specialized role and offers a dynamic combination of state-of-the-art theoretical courses and practical application of learning in field education. You can learn more about the program from the Graduate School.

Graduate Certificate in TESOL

Program Overview

 

The Graduate Certificate in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) provides students with advanced knowledge in the education of ELLs (English Language Learners) of any age. The completion of six TESOL graduate courses awards a candidate a TESOL certificate from the University of North Florida, and qualifies a candidate to apply for the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement to be added to the candidate's existing Florida teacher's certificate. Coursework covers the ESOL domains of linguistics, assessment, culture, methods, and curriculum. You can learn more about the program from the graduate school.

The Whole Child Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

 

The Whole Child Graduate Certificate emphasizes the professional preparation of students at the graduate levels for a range of careers in education and nonprofits within diverse community contexts. The Certificate's playful learning pedagogy supports literacy, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning as well as social, emotional, physical development, and service learning.

 

The five graduate courses include study of the child-centered educational models of Montessori, Waldorf and Public Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia. Students in the Certificate program have an opportunity to work in UNF's state-of-the art Solve, Tinker, Explore, Play (STEP) Early Learning Lab. Additionally, the Early Childhood program's service learning and study abroad opportunities include visits to schools across England and Perugia, Italy, home to Maria Montessori's first laboratory school, as well as a Reggio Emilia school.

 

The Whole Child Graduate Certificate Coursework may be applied to a graduate degree with a focus in Early Childhood, with the approval of an advisor. For more information, contact Dr. Christian Winterbottom, program area leader c.winterbottom@unf.edu or Dr. Katrina W. Hall khall@unf.edu.

 

Courses reflect the Recommendations for Core Components for Public Waldorf Teacher Preparation from the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education

 

Two students in Whole Child Certification program working on a project Little girl using chalkboard in the UNF STEP Lab UNF student teaching children in a classroom setting

Teacher Leadership and Mentoring Certificate

Program Overview


Purpose  

The Graduate Certificate in Secondary Teacher-Leadership and Mentoring emphasizes the professional development of middle and high school teachers at the graduate level as teacher mentors. The completion of five graduate courses in Foundation and Secondary Education and Educational Leadership prepares in-service teachers to become effective clinical mentors to support in-service novice colleagues. The program prepares candidates who desire to become successful teacher-leaders and mentors or district teacher coaches by integrating core UNF teacher education theories (e.g., explicit analysis of practice through personal practical theorizing, facilitation of research-supported teaching practices) and secondary classroom practices (e.g., accountability measures, top-down models of curriculum development).

 

 

Prerequisites

At least three years of teaching experience and meets Graduate School requirements. The courses for this certificate can be used towards a leadership master's degree. This allows candidates to seek a graduate degree of education at UNF upon completion. As a result, candidates should meet the application requirements of the Masters in Educational Leadership (concentration in Advanced Teaching and Learning). Visit this page to learn more.