Early Childhood Educator Certificate

To Apply

• Complete the online application 
• Submit two character references
• Submit program participation agreement
• Submit high school transcript (official or unofficial) or equivalency with posted date of graduation or completion OR submit college transcript (official or unofficial)

Butler faculty will review program applications, and all applicants who meet application requirements will be accepted, in order of application date. If the number of accepted applicants exceeds the next cohort’s capacity, accepted applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

Deadlines

The program has the following available start dates:

• January 6th 2025 — Last day to submit application materials for January 27th 2025 start date.
• August 20th 2025 — Last day to submit application materials for September 8th 2025 start date.

• What are the requirements to apply?
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Currently employed in an early childhood setting or have access to an early childhood classroom
  • The early childhood setting that you will be utilizing agrees to participate in the program
  • Access to the technology needed to complete the course work
• How do I apply?
  • Confirm your early childhood setting is willing to support your participation*
  • Identify a Cooperative Teacher
  • Complete the online application
  • Submit high school transcript (official or unofficial) or equivalency with posted date of graduation or completion OR submit college transcript (official or unofficial)
  • Ask your Cooperative Teacher to complete their online application
  • Submit program participation agreement
• What happens after I apply?
  • You will receive an email with instructions to set up your student status page. This is where you can see the latest information about your application.
  • Butler staff will review your application to ensure that it’s complete. If anything is missing, you will receive an email.
  • Once your application is complete, you will receive an email confirming that it is complete and being reviewed.
  • You should receive a decision within two weeks of your application being complete.
  • Your early learning childhood setting will be notified of your application status.
  • If you are self-pay, you will need to select a payment method and complete an initial payment.
• What happens if the program is full for the start date that I selected?
  • If you complete your application and you are found to be admissible but there is no space in the program for the start date you selected, then you will be placed on a waitlist and sent an email. We will ask you to reply to the waitlist offer to indicate if you wish to remain on the waitlist.
• If you reply Yes, we will admit you to the cohort if space becomes available. If space does not become available, then we will change your start date to the next available cohort and email you to let you know this.
• If you reply No to remaining on our waitlist, then we will withdraw your application. If you would like to reactivate it for a later start date, please email us at eccert@butler.edu.
• What are my next steps once I receive my offer of admission from Butler?
  • Reply to the offer of admission
  • Access your new Butler account
  • Review Program and University Policies
  • Complete your online orientation
  • Access your course on the scheduled start date
• Will my early childhood setting receive updates on my application status as well?
  • Yes, your early learning setting will receive an update if you are admitted, denied, or placed on a waiting list.

$833 per course (12 courses)

Thanks to the generous support of Early Learning Indiana, current applicants can also elect to be considered for a full program scholarship.  Applicants can apply for both the program and the scholarship in a single application. When you apply for the program, simply let us know you’re interested in the scholarship, and you’ll automatically be considered for both.

• Is this program eligible for federal financial aid? 
  • No, this program is not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Is there additional funding or scholarships available for this program?
  • AmeriCorps
    • AmeriCorps Alums: Your Segal Education Award can be used towards the cost of the Early Childhood Educator Certificate. Use the MyAmeriCorps portal to request a payment from your award to Butler University or visit Education Award find out more | AmeriCorps for more information about managing your award.
  • Next Level
    • Early childhood centers are eligible for employer training grants through next level jobs: Eligible Occupations | Next Level Jobs
    • Early childhood centers can apply for a reimbursement grant to $5,000 per employee who is trained, hired, and retained for six months, up to $50,000 per employer.
    • Information on the grant and how early childhood centers can request access to the employer portal is here: DWD: Next Level Jobs – Employer Training Grant
  • IYI grant
    • The Indiana Youth Institute offers Professional Development Grants to youth workers up to $750 per fiscal year.
    • Information on the grant criteria and how to apply can be found here:
  • Check with your center for full or partial funding options.
  • Thanks to the generous support of Early Learning Indiana, applicants can also elect to be considered for a full program scholarship.  Our streamlined application process, allows applicants to apply for both the program and the scholarship in a single application. When you apply for the program, simply let us know you’re interested in the scholarship, and you’ll automatically be considered for both.
• Are there payment plans available?
  • Students can select from three program payment options at registration:

1. Pay the program tuition in full
2. Pay the tuition for each course individually
3. Pay the tuition for multiple courses together

• What is the cost of the program?
  • $833/course (12 courses) or $9,996 (full certificate)
• How do I make my tuition payment?
  • Tuition payments can be made online using a debit or credit card at the time of registration.
  • To make a tuition payment by check:
    • Make check payable to Butler University
    • Include the student’s full name and the program name “Early Childhood Educator Certificate” in the memo
    • Mail the check to:

Office of Continuing and Professional Education
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208

• Is this program geared towards just team leads? No, all teachers in an early childhood setting are eligible and encouraged to apply.
• Could this program be for people who are not yet teachers? Yes, this program is also for people who are trying to advance in their careers and have access to an early childhood classroom, but are not yet teachers.
• Why should I apply?
  • The Early Childhood Educator Certificate prepares you to lead an early childhood classroom. Upon completion, you will be able to:
  • Implement an equity framework for culturally responsive teaching that builds on the strengths and brilliance of the child through play and inquiry.
  • Create “identity affirming” spaces* for learners that nurture children’s identities, develop their minds and bodies, and foster social emotional health and happiness.
  • Use developmentally appropriate strategies and tools for teaching and assessing reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies that supports children’s meaning-making.
  • Develop identity as an early childhood professional, aspiring teacher-leader, and life-long learner.

• Currently in a lead teaching role in an early childhood setting
• Models exemplary teaching practice
• Employed by the early childhood setting that you will be utilizing
• Willing to facilitate program-related learning in the classroom
• Ability to spend one-hour weekly on debriefing, planning, and sharing insights related to classroom experience

If you do not have a Cooperative Teacher when you apply and you are admissible, you will be placed on a waitlist until you identify a Cooperative Teacher and their application is submitted and approved. After your Cooperative Teacher is approved, you will be admitted to the program if there is still space available.

Students move through the Early Childhood Educator (ECEC) program in sequence; all courses must be taken in the order defined by the program and completed on time. To maintain an effective pace, afford opportunities for growth, and allow for timely feedback, it’s important students adhere to the assignment due dates in each course.

The program takes approximately 15 months to complete.

Students can expect to spend approximately 20 hours per week on the program – this includes all required reading, course videos, assignments, class observations, and meetings with the cooperative teacher.

Students can expect approximately 80% of the program to be online content including readings, course videos, and assignments.

Butler University is in the process of creating a pathway from the Early Childhood Educator Certificate to the Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development.