Early Childhood Education and Family Studies Career Pathway Certificate

Build bright futures: Start your early childhood education journey today

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families? Clackamas Community College's Early Childhood Education and Family Studies Career Pathway Certificate offers an opportunity to launch your rewarding career in this fulfilling field in less than one year.

• Shape young minds: Gain the knowledge and skills needed to nurture the intellectual, social and emotional development of young children in various early learning settings like preschools, child care centers and Head Start programs.
• Build strong families: Learn about family dynamics, child development and best practices for supporting families in fostering healthy and nurturing environments for their children.
• Thrive in diverse settings: Develop a strong foundation in early childhood education principles for early learning environments.
• Make a positive impact: Experience the joy of witnessing children learn and grow while contributing to their well-being and shaping their future.

Clackamas Community College's Early Childhood Education and Family Studies Career Pathway provides you with:

• Experienced faculty: Learn from dedicated educators who are passionate about early childhood education and committed to your success.
• Hands-on learning: Gain practical experience through coursework, observations and opportunities in real-world early learning settings.

Investing in your future in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies at Clackamas Community College opens doors to a fulfilling career filled with purpose and the satisfaction of knowing you are making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families.

Ready to take the first step? Contact Clackamas Community College today to learn more about this exciting program and embark on your rewarding journey in early childhood education.

Required classes for the Early Childhood Education and Family Studies Career Pathway Certificate

Fast-track your career as an educator

The demand for qualified early childhood educators is booming, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 17% increase in jobs by 2031. This translates to numerous exciting career opportunities in a variety of settings.

Ready to make a difference in little lives?

This program should equip you with the knowledge and skills to:

• Dive deep: Explore the fascinating world of child development — philosophies, approaches and theories that unlock the potential in young minds.
• Bridge the gap: Build strong, collaborative relationships with families, embracing their unique languages, cultures and backgrounds.
• Empower young learners: Discover positive guidance strategies that foster autonomy, self-regulation and a love for learning in young children.
• Become a safety champion: Understand the state rules and regulations that ensure the health and well-being of children in early childhood programs.
• Unlock potential: Learn to document and analyze children's development, gaining valuable insights to support their individual journeys.
• Design engaging experiences: Create stimulating learning environments and curriculum that are tailored to each child's needs and developmental stage.
• Champion inclusion: Discover how to cultivate equitable and inclusive opportunities for all children and families, fostering a diverse and thriving learning community.

This program is a stackable credential on the path to the  Early Childhood Education and Family Studies Associate of Applied Science Degree. These pathways provide a completion path for students who desire to work in the early learning field. In addition to the existing Associate of Applied Science Degree, this program is based on the Oregon Registry Core Knowledge Categories and completion of this certificate will enable the student to be on Step 8 of the Registry and qualified for a teacher position in early learning settings.

For more information on expected learning outcomes of successfully completing this program, view the course catalog.

Investing in your future

Clackamas Community College offers some of the lowest tuition rates in the Portland metro area. To begin building the cost for your program, you can start with the base estimate below. 

This estimate includes the cost of tuition and the general fees applied per class and per academic term. This estimate does not include additional fees required for many courses or the cost of course materials. Contact the program to learn more about additional costs that may apply. 

You can also find more information about the costs of attending CCC on the Tuition and Fees page.

Get help paying for college

Scholarships and grants (free money!) are available for students in this program. For help with financial aid and scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Resource Lab.