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Child care continues to be a vital field in our society. Children and families in Missouri and throughout the nation rely on the expertise of early childhood programs staff — and the expertise of their leaders. Mizzou’s online Undergraduate Certificate in Child Care Director program prepares you to excel as the leader of an early childhood program or center.
This multidisciplinary certificate program prepares you to run early childhood programs and facilities. You’ll learn how to:
- Supervise and support staff.
- Manage daily facility operations.
- Maintain regulatory compliance.
- Oversee budgets, enrollment and program planning.
- Collaborate with families and communities.
- Advocate for quality early childhood education opportunities.
Please note: This program does not lead to teaching certification.
About the child care director program
This program is ideal for working professionals seeking leadership positions in child care. It is fully online and offered by Mizzou’s Department of Human Development and Family Science within the College of Education and Human Development. The undergraduate certificate program is 12 credit hours and requires no campus visits. Program graduates within Missouri will meet state licensing requirements for administrative positions within early childhood settings. The skills you learn through this program are broadly applicable, but other states may require additional courses or training. Check with the relevant licensing body if you do not intend to work in Missouri.
Interested in continuing your education? Apply credits from this certificate to Mizzou’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society or Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Family and Lifespan Development.
Quick facts
Official name
Undergraduate Certificate in Child Care DirectorCampus
Program type
Undergraduate certificateAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Human Development and Family ScienceDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
12Estimated cost
$7,171.20*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Graduates of this program can obtain the following titles:
- Early Childhood Programs Administrator
- Assistant Administrator
- Site Supervisor
- Preschool Administrator
- Family Child Care Program Owner/Operator
Program structure
This undergraduate certificate program is completely online and requires 12 hours to complete. No campus visits are required.
Coursework includes:
- Technology use with young learners
- How to supervise early childhood settings
- Being an advocate for children and families
- Understanding a variety of familial contexts
Review all requirements for the online Undergraduate Certificate in Child Care Director program.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2 semestersTypical course load
2 classes each semester (spring and fall)Accreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Faculty spotlight
So Young Park is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Missouri. Dr. Park’s research examines the impact of family law and policy on families during critical transitions (e.g., divorce, childbirth, economic recession). She also researches families in the justice system who have experienced domestic violence.
Shinyoung Jeon is an assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri. Dr. Jeon’s work has revolved around evaluating the effectiveness of programs on children’s school readiness. She has also partnered with public school districts to examine the longitudinal developmental outcomes of high school children.
Aileen Garcia is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri. Dr. Garcia’s research interests include cultural influences on parenting and caregiving, early childhood education and care, and quality of life among ethnic minorities and immigrants in the United States. Her goal is to improve early childhood education and care outcomes for all children and alleviate parenting stress while increasing parental involvement.
Michelle Mathews is an associate teaching professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Missouri. Dr. Mathews has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education. She has served as director of the MU Child Development Lab for eight years, from 2014 to 2022. Her courses focus on socialization in early childhood and the role of technology in early childhood education.