Early Childhood Education - Lead Teacher Advanced Courses

Courses in this program are open enrollment and you will pay for each course individually. You have the option to begin taking courses before committing to the program, to make sure it’s the right fit for you. We recommend starting with Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children EDUC X 321.26.

However, establishing candidacy in the program has its benefits:

• Receive tailored information to help you succeed in your program
• Access to exclusive certificate student benefits, such as UCLA Alumni Association membership
• Lock in the most current terms and conditions of the program, as curricula and requirements are subject to change
• Candidacy is required to receive your official UCLA Extension certificate upon completing your program

How to Apply

1. Click the Apply Now button below
2. Login or create a new student account
3. Once you are logged into the student portal, you can select “My Applications” from the left side menu at any time to return to your application. Click the yellow “Start” button to proceed.
4. On the Certificate Application page, follow the instructions and click save. Then submit your application. 
5. Proceed to checkout and pay the $75 nonrefundable candidacy fee to finalize your application. 
6. Begin enrolling in courses!

Benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students:

• Advising and support from a UCLA Extension academic advisor, to help plan your course of study.
• Access to Handshake, UCLA Career Center’s online job board, with access to thousands of job and internship postings
• Become a member of the UCLA Alumni Association (upon completing your certificate) and a nationwide network of Bruin family
• Join us for the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate all your hard work 
• Get access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate*
• Open an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card* for a number of student-related benefits
• Receive a printed certificate mailed to you after completion of your final class, plus notation of the certificate program on your UCLA Extension transcript.
• PLUS, all UCLA Extension students have access to UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops and networking events

Suggested Prerequisite

Completion of the ECE Associate Teacher certificate or equivalent is recommended for teachers with less experience before taking the ECE Lead Teacher Advanced Courses Certificate.

Observation

Students are expected to observe or participate with young children in assignments for every course. The state of California requires regular observers and volunteers in ECE centers to have a TB clearance and to be immunized against flu, pertussis, and measles. Please be prepared to present documentation to the center where you observe.

Grades

A letter grade of C or better in each course is required for California ECE Permits, as well as successful completion of the certificate. Course grades of C- or lower do not qualify toward the certificate or CTC permits.

Students must complete the certificate within 5 years.

English Proficiency

Professional-level English language proficiency in listening, note-taking, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and written expression is required. 

If you have completed previous coursework and wish to apply it toward this certificate, you may be able to transfer up to 25% of certificate units. Contact UCLA Extension’s Education department for approval.  Courses that are more than 5 years old will not be approved.

Individuals who have completed college or university coursework in early childhood education at a foreign institution, and wish to apply units to the certificate, must obtain an evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees, and other relevant documents prior to applying for the ECE Certificate. A foreign transcript evaluation is required even if the foreign coursework has been accepted by a college or university in the United States. 

Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by one of the approved organizations listed on the CTC Foreign Transcript Evaluation Leaflet Number CL-635 in order to be accepted. These organizations are private enterprises that charge a fee for their services. Individuals pursuing a foreign transcript evaluation must follow the procedures outlined by the organization providing the evaluation. In all instances, original, official documentation will be required when requesting the evaluation. For a list of the approved organizations, visit the CTC website.