Early Childhood Educator Certificate
The Early Childhood Educator Certificate (ECEC) program is an accessible and innovative pathway designed to support educators in deepening theoretical and pedagogical knowledge to strengthen their teaching, advance their careers, and improve outcomes for children. The Early Childhood Educator Certificate Program consists of 12 courses, each 4 weeks in length, totaling 960 hours, and can be completed in approximately 15 months. It incorporates inquiry-based, child-centered learning and responsive teaching methods. The program combines online learning with practical experiences in real classrooms, while also providing mentorship and support services to the candidates.
The College of Education at Butler University is committed to providing accessible, meaningful, and expansive professional preparation that enables educators to create conditions for individuals (even our littlest learners) to reach their full potentials and for schools and communities to thrive. This is precisely the intention of the ECEC program. We are positioned to complement and expand upon existing foundational credentials, while contributing to the ongoing innovation within the early childhood education ecosystem.
Dr Susan Adamson, ECEC Program Director & Faculty Emerita Butler University COE
Program Background
At Butler University’s College of Education, we believe in the power of collaboration to address critical challenges in early childhood education. Partnering with Early Learning Indiana and Butler University’s Office of Continuing and Professional Education (OCPE), we have developed the Early Childhood Educator Certificate program, an accessible and innovative pathway designed to enhance the skills of educators while directly strengthening early childhood centers.
Our program aligns with the shared mission of providing high-quality resources for early childhood education by combining on-the-job learning with practical, research-based instruction. Rooted in culturally responsive, Reggio-inspired, and inquiry-based teaching methods, this program equips educators with both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.
We recognize the importance of established credentials like the CDA and support their role in the field, while also acknowledging the need for additional professional development opportunities that offer deeper pedagogical preparation. We aim to complement and expand upon these foundational credentials, contributing to the ongoing innovation within the early childhood education ecosystem.
Together with partners like the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Ascend Indiana, Early Learning Indiana and Paths To Quality, we are committed to creating new pathways for aspiring and current educators that are responsive to the needs of our communities. By bridging education and practice, this program seeks to inspire and empower early childhood professionals, ensuring lasting benefits for children, families, and educators alike.