A teacher leans over and points at a book in front of a small child who is staring intently at the page with a pencil in hand.

Contact

Creative and Liberal Arts pathway icon

Cathy Collie-Robinson
Director/Instructor
Building 10, Room 303
919-536-7200, ext. 8057
collierobinsonc@durhamtech.edu

Plan of Study

(Courses by Semester)
Download 2025-2026 Plan of Study 
* This program is financial aid eligible.
* This program can be completed online.

Early Childhood Preschool Certificate

Short Term

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.

Employment opportunities include preschool teacher, child care provider in center-based care, family child care provider, and before/after school care provider.

Certificate course credits can be applied to the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Transfer and Non-Transfer programs.

Uncertain about which pathway is right for you? View the Early Childhood Education Program Decision Chart.

Apply Now

Estimated Tuition & Fees

$1,486

Location

Main Campus

Credit Hours

16

First-Semester Courses

Course Number Title Credit Hours
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood, Education 4
EDU-131 Child, Family, and Community 3
EDU-145 Child Development II 3
EDU-146 Child Guidance 3
EDU-153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3

Suggested Paths

Short Term

(12 months or less)

Elementary Education - Residency Licensure Certificate

Early Childhood Preschool Certificate

Long Term

(More than 12 months)

Early Childhood Education - Non-Transfer Associate Degree

Associate

Early Childhood Education - Non-Transfer Associate Degree

Associate

Early Childhood Education - Transfer Associate Degree

Associate

University Transfer

Birth to Kindergarten

Baccalaureate Transfer Option

Career Explorer

³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ in the Summer
headshot of Jasmine Cradle standing in front of brick

“The Early Childhood Education program will get me further along in life and it’s encouraged me to do more than I originally set out to do. My end goal is to own my own daycare center.”

—Jasmine Cradle