This program builds essential skills in policy development, analysis, and communication related to early childhood and family policies. Students will develop an interdisciplinary lens to understand the impact of early childhood and family policies across systems that address issues relevant to young children and family.

Description

The Early Childhood and Family Policy graduate certificate program builds essential skills in policy development, analysis, and communication. Students will develop an interdisciplinary lens to understand the impact of early childhood and family policies across systems that address issues relevant to young children and family including health care, education, child care, family leave, mental health, child abuse and neglect, incarceration of parents, and minimum wage. The importance of the early years and the need for quality services that are distributed equitably and sustainably are integral to a just society.

All coursework for this certificate is completed online through Great Plains IDEA consortium.

Courses

Find courses at: https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/programs/grad-cert/#ECFP.

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
• Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

  If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

  After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

• If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.

  When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

• If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

• Resume
• Personal Statement addressing two questions:
  1. What personal and/or professional experiences have led you to want to pursue a graduate certificate in Early Childhood and Family Policy?
  2. What are your professional goals and how will this certificate help you achieve those?
• 1 Letter of Recommendation

Certificate programs are not considered degree programs, so international students should be aware that admission to this program is ineligible for immigration forms for an F-1 student visa.