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INFANT/TODDLER EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE

May 13, 2024

Next Start Date

6

Courses Required

$451

Cost Per Credit Hour

19

Total Credit Hours

Online Asynchronous

Learning Format

Help babies and toddlers under age 3 take their first steps.

The Infant/Toddler Undergraduate Certificate is a specialized curriculum designed for early childcare teachers and providers, Head Start teachers, WVU students and others who work with young children from birth to three years of age.

It prepares teaching professionals to work with babies and toddlers in preschools, daycare centers, community centers, healthcare settings, or in nonprofits or social service agencies.

The specific body of knowledge in the Infant/Toddler Certificate satisfies new state and federal mandates that teachers of very young children must have formal recognition of their training in order to obtain and/or maintain employment.

If you enjoy working with children and want to enter this field, or if you are already working in an educational setting for infants and toddlers, this certificate will give you the qualifications you need to advance in your career. It will prepare you to make a difference in the life of a child.


Female toddler smiling while sliding down a sliding board.

There are 19 hours in the Infant/Toddler Certificate program. The certificate can be completed alone or within a degree program.

After completing the certificate in Early Childhood Education, students will demonstrate knowledge of social, emotional, cognitive, language, motor, and physical development of infants and toddlers, as well as the best practices for facilitating infant and toddler growth in these domains.

They will apply the major theories of infant and toddler development to the home and classroom context and will be able to construct and create positive and enriched infant and toddler environments that optimize development in all domains and set the stage for lifelong learning.

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Infant/Toddler Education Undergraduate Certificate Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Admissions

Applicants should have a minimum 2.0 GPA. They must complete the online application and submit official transcripts for all previous institutions they attended or their official high school transcript if fewer than 20 college credits completed.

Application Requirements

  • Apply with the Online Application
    • Type of Student (please select the correct one):
      • Freshman (if you are a first time college freshman);
      • Transfer (if you have attended any other college or university after high school);
      • Readmit (if you have previously been enrolled at West Virginia University);
      • Change of Campus (if you are currently enrolled at WVU Morgantown, WVU Potomac State College or WVU Institute of Technology)
    • Program Applying To: Child Development and Family Studies B.S.
    • Start Term: The term you would like to begin the program
  • Pay undergraduate application fee
  • Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU), or high school transcripts if fewer than 20 college credits and send to:
    WVU Office of Admissions
    PO Box 6009
    Morgantown, WV 26506-6009
  • After you submit your application for admission, please email Ashley Martucci with your full name and that your application is for the Infant/Toddler Education undergraduate certificate.

The certificate can be completed alone or within a degree program.

Apply Now

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Students enrolled in certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. Visit Student Financial Support & Services for additional information.

Infant/Toddler Education Undergraduate Certificate requires 19 credit hours to complete. Cost per credit hour is $451.
$8,569 – Residents and Non-Residents

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Your future in Infant/Toddler Education

An undergraduate certificate in infant/toddler education allows you to turn your passion for young children into a rewarding career, helping babies and toddlers reach their full potential and giving them a great start in life with the educational structure and tender care they need at an early age that will benefit them as they grow and develop.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The certificate is free standing or can be taken with a degree program. Plus, pursuing your degree online gives you the flexibility to earn your degree while working full-time and/or managing family and personal responsibilities.

Career Paths

Career opportunities include non-profits and social service agencies, school and other educational institutions, health care, and state and federal agencies.

Required Courses

Course Title Credit Hours
CDFS 110 Families Across the Life Span 3
CDFS 211 Infant Development 4
CDFS 430 Best Practices in Pre-K Movement 3
CDFS 431 Infant Toddler Language and Literacy 3
CDFS 432 Early Socio-Emotional Development 3
CDFS 491A Professional Field Experience 3

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the projected job growth for infant/toddler education?

Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts growth in the infant/toddler education field to be 18% through 2030, which is much faster than all occupations.

What kind of jobs can I get with an Infant/Toddler Education Undergraduate Certificate?

There are many career paths a student could take with an Infant/Toddler Education Undergraduate Certificate, including:

Kindergarten Teacher
Projected Growth: 4-6%

Preschool Teacher
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Health Educator
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Childcare Worker
Projected Growth: 2-3% *Bright Outlook

Preschool and Childcare Center
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Educational Counselor
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Is an undergraduate certificate in Infant/Toddler Education worth it?

An undergraduate certificate in infant/toddler education can prepare you for the challenges of today's ever-changing workforce. Additionally, it can help you qualify for more senior positions within the field.

Earning your Undergraduate Certificate in Infant/Toddler Education means more professional opportunities, higher earning potential, and obtaining an advanced skill set that is in demand across a wide range of educational settings.

How do I get a career in Infant/Toddler Education?

Infant/toddler teachers in the United States have different education and training requirements, based on settings and state regulations. Earning your undergraduate certificate in infant/toddler education improves your teaching effectiveness and expands your career opportunities.

What are the career options in Infant/Toddler Education?

There are many career paths a student could take with an undergraduate certificate in Infant/Toddler Education, including:

  • Public or private kindergarten teacher
  • Community recreation facilities
  • Daycare center teacher
  • Infant/Toddler education specialist in community, corporate, and commercial settings

How long will it take to earn my Undergraduate Certificate in Infant/Toddler Education online?

It will take as little as two years to complete the program’s required 19 credit hours. Since it is online, students can take their time with each course based on availability.

Is an online Undergraduate Certificate in Infant/Toddler Education respected?

The Infant/Toddler Education Undergraduate Certificate curriculum is aligned with advanced teaching standards. It incorporates the West Virginia Core Knowledge and Core Competencies and the West Virginia Early Standards Framework: Infant/Toddler in order to include the most recent requirements set forth by West Virginia agencies responsible for overseeing teachers and providers working with children from birth through three years of age.

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West Virginia University
PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800


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Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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