University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 12
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
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- Graduate Certificates
- Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy
About this Program
The Early Childhood & Family Policy Graduate Certificate is a 12-hour graduate certificate that builds essential policy development and analysis skills. An interdisciplinary lens facilitates an understanding of the impact of child and family policies within a range of systems such as health care, education, 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. This graduate certificate places individuals at the helm of framing a new era for child and family policy. This innovative curriculum provides optimum flexibility through four online courses.
Designed For
This program is ideal for professionals in early childhood education, social work, or public policy, looking to advance their leadership skills and influence policy changes that benefit young children and families. They are passionate about improving early childhood outcomes through effective policy advocacy and are committed to making a positive impact on the broader community.
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What You’ll Learn
This program is designed to prepare students to evaluate, create, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit young children and their families.
This includes learning how to:
1) Evaluate the equity and effectiveness of child and family policies.
2) Propose and advocate for equitable and effective policies.
3) Communicate with a wide range of stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, educators, and advocates.
Through this program, students will be connected with a national network of individuals as part of an emerging field centered on the creation and implementation of coordinated, effective, and equitable policies, practices, and infrastructure that support children birth-through-8-years-old and their families.
Course Examples
- EDL 580 History, Development, and Equity in Shaping Early Childhood Policy
- EDL 581 Using a Policy Framework to Examine Early Childhood Services and Issues
- EDL 582 Policy Research in Early Childhood
- EDL 583 Leading Policy Analysis in Early Childhood
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Resume - Limited to 2 pages, providing your name and contact information as well as postsecondary education (all degrees, years awarded, institution names, emphasis area), work experiences, education certifications, professional memberships.
- Personal Statement: Please write 2 double‐spaced pages, using either Times New Roman 12‐point or Arial 10‐point, page numbers and your name in upper right corner about why you are applying to the program.
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
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Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Connect with classmates and faculty during live lectures and discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
This program denotes "Online in Real-time". What exactly does that mean?
The program is utilizing synchronous lectures for a large portion of instruction. This requires students to log on and attend class or activities at a specified time listed in the syllabus. This could be a weekly occurrence, or less frequent. To learn more about the schedule, reach out the the program contact listed on this page.
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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