Description

Early Childhood Education Fundamentals microcredential badge

The demand for teachers and daycare workers will grow by 11-22% by 2026. This microcredential is designed for those who aspire to work with children birth to 5 years of age. Participants will learn about the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and interconnections between history, theory, culture, research and practice in diverse educational settings and document educational outcomes. Fieldwork is required. This microcredential aligns with the college coursework required for New York State Level II and III Teaching Assistant requirements.

Courses Required

EDU 14500 - Introduction to Teaching in a Diverse Society Pre-K - Grade 6

Description:
This is an introductory course for students interested in working in the field of early childhood/childhood education. This course focuses on the interconnections between history, theory, culture, research and practice in diverse education settings. Topics include an examination of a wide variety of programs available to serve a diverse population of children, historical and theoretical perspectives, teaching competencies and program management techniques. Emphasis is put on planning age appropriate learning activities for “the whole child” and his/her family. Fieldwork observations are required.

EDU 14700 - Early Childhood Curriculum: Math & Science

Description:
A hands-on experiential approach to theory, content and methodology of Early Childhood curriculum for children ages 2 through 8+ years. Special emphasis is placed on the integration of environmental and natural sciences with math and language arts activities to document learning for young children. Two full-day weekend off-campus outdoor education field trips are required each semester.

EDU 14900 - Infant and Toddler Development

Description:
Designed to help adults begin to understand the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. The social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs of children from birth to age 3 are examined. Students apply the work of major theorists and researchers to actual observations of children and their implications for appropriate child care. Completion of weekly observation and fieldwork participation hours are required.

Pre-requisite(s):  None

Method(s) of delivery: Online, in-person

Credit or Non-credit:  Credit

Minimum Grade Proficiency: B-

(Grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Students who meet the grade proficiency are eligible to earn the microcredential. If a grade is earned below the proficiency level, the course grade cannot be used toward the microcredential, but is eligible for graduation requirements.)

Credits Earned Upon Completion:  9

Eligibility Requirements

Anyone can register

Cost

Visit the Student Accounts page for information on tuition and fees.

Stackable to Degrees

(This credential is included in the educational opportunities listed below)

AS Teacher Education Transfer, Early Childhood Education

  • Art Track
  • Biology  Track (1 ECE Elective)
  • English Track
  • History Track
  • Language Track
  • Math Track (3 ECE Electives)

Eligible for NYS Teaching Assistant II Certification
Eligible for NYS Teaching Assistant III Certification

Learn more about our degree and certificate programs.

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

  • Career Management
  • Oral/Written Communications
  • Professionalism
  • Teamwork/Collaboration

More about NACE Career Readiness Competencies

Student Outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to observe, record and interpret the behaviors of infants and toddlers in a childcare/education setting.
  • Identify and analyze the research on the development of prosocial behavior, play skills, gender roles and cultural identity in infants and toddlers and describe caregiver skills for fostering this development.
  • Articulate what is meant by developmentally appropriate practice and current standards of excellence in early childhood/childhood education.
  • Examine how theorists have impacted education and apply this knowledge to design appropriate learning activities for children.
  • Design learning activities that utilize and apply basic early childhood math and science concepts and skills from the NYS Common Core Standards and Early Learning Standard.
  • Develop scientific inquiry and observation skills and utilize a variety of documentation tools in the classroom and natural environment.

Skills

  • Observation and Documentation
  • Communication Skills
  • Organization
  • Interpersonal/Teamwork Skills
  • Professionalism
  • Instructional Classroom Support Technique

Steps to Earning a Microcredential

Step 1: Getting Started Is Easy

New Students

If you want to earn a microcredential only, complete the Microcredential Enrollment Form. Search for the course(s) required (select term and then search for desired classes) and input under Course Information on the Form. (Students may register for more than one course if pre-requisites are met.)

If you plan to earn a degree or certificate and a microcredential and have not applied to the College, apply here. See the Web Registration Instructions to register for classes.

Current Students

If you are a current or continuing student, complete the Microcredential Add Form. You can register for courses in Self Service Banner in your myRCC portal. See the Web Registration Instructions to learn how to search and register for classes in Self-Service Banner. If you are registered for the required courses in the microcredential, you only need to complete the Microcredential Add Form.

Refer to the tuition and course fees page to determine the cost of your courses.

Step 2: Verification

When you have met and completed all of the requirements for the microcredential your credential will be verified.

Microcredentials open the door to career opportunities and to earn one of our degrees or certificates for career advancement. Students may utilize the courses passed in a microcredential toward a degree program pending the courses apply to the degree program selected.

Learn More About Microcredentials

In a highly competitive global economy and rapidly changing workplace, upskilling and reskilling is required by more employers to maintain viability in the workplace. New collar jobs are vastly growing in developing fields. The college has developed relationships with local, state and national industries to create a microcredential system to align with industry standards. It is also becoming a test of speed and relevance in a fast changing, technically oriented job market. Some of our credentials offer internships to provide you with real world experiences. Many students find that earning a microcredential helped them find the right career and continue on to degree completion.

We give you skills to succeed on the job. Candidates with strong soft skills are in high demand. Soft skills, also known as durable skills, are the attributes you need to succeed in the workplace. We offer you the opportunity to develop these skills and emphasize them on job applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviews. We offer several microcredentials in durable skills so you take your knowledge from backpack to briefcase.

Designed to meet you at your lifestyle. We are here to help you develop and accomplish your goals every step of the way. You may decide to on-ramp for a microcredential to obtain in-demand skills or microcredentials are also offered within degree programs. Skills badges can be earned singly or several courses can be stacked to lead to a professional microcredential. Badges are stackable credentials and more granular in scope. Achievement of a microcredential indicates that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved through bundled credit, non-credit, or non-credit to credit courses with embedded skills needed for today’s marketplace.

Badges and microcredentials are offered in-person, online, a hybrid format with flexible scheduling to meet you at your lifestyle. Visit the course schedule to identify the schedule that is right for you. Microcredentials are a digital form of certification indicating demonstrated proficiency in a specific set of skills. Embedded skills badges in some courses provide an added value to your e-portfolio.

Showcase your new skills and accomplishments. Employers want to know about your new skills. Upon successful completion and verification of a credential, you will receive a digital badge as evidence of attaining your new credential that can be shared in your e-portfolio with prospective employers and on social media platforms.

Our Industry Partners. The College works with industry partners and specialists to ensure information is current and we are meeting the needs of industry to create a pipeline of employable candidates. We listen to our partners’ needs to provide educated learners with the knowledge and skills to fulfill jobs and provide students with transfer opportunities to four-year institutions. Apprenticeship and internship partnerships benefit the employer and the student in gaining knowledge and hands-on or real world experiences.

Why RCC?  Higher educational institutions are well known to corporate CEO’s for the academic rigor required to demonstrate knowledge and skills proficiency and providing an excellent education.

The world of work has changed and we provide more options so that you can move ahead. Hundreds of jobs require employees to be prepared for new challenges and provide services that did not exist a year ago. Courses are offered in a variety of formats so you can accomplish your goals on your watch. Microcredentials open the door to earn one of our degree or certificate programs.

What are you waiting for?  Your future career starts with applying to the College or completing the Microcredential Enrollment Form.

Whether you need additional skills to navigate your entry into the competitive workforce, have a degree and are looking to expand your skills or are thinking about a degree, a microcredential from one of the leading colleges in the SUNY system is right for you.

Jump start your educational adventure with us.

Microcredentialing FAQs

Why should I earn a microcredential?

Whether you need additional skills to navigate your entry into the competitive workforce, have a degree and are looking to expand your skills, or are thinking about a degree, a microcredential from one of the leading colleges in the SUNY system is right for you.

Each microcredential or skills badge:

  • Focuses on in-demand knowledge and skills
  • Is backed by course curriculum
  • Includes student learning outcomes recognized by industry partners and specialists

How do I earn a microcredential or badge?

A microcredential certifies that a student has attained a specified competency or skill set by successfully completing a group of 2-4 related courses and skills as outlined on the webpage. Once the requirements of a microcredential or skills badge are verified, the student is issued a digital icon that can be embedded on social media platforms, an electronic resume or e-portfolio. These icons are linked to college pages with validating information about the microcredential that prospective employers and education institutions can view.

What does a microcredential do for me?

Microcredentials offer:

  1. Increased potential employment or promotions by certifying new competencies students have achieved and expanding their skill sets
  2. The opportunity to move to the next level of obtaining a certificate or degree to secure jobs upon graduation
  3. Opportunity to seek the next level of higher education
  4. Increased opportunity to advance your career
  5. Increased industry knowledge of emerging advancements for professionals already working in industry
  6. Recognizable highly competitive global market value

Can I use the credits earned in the microcredential toward my degree?

Microcredentials open the door to earn one of our degrees or certificates. Students may utilize the courses passed in a microcredential toward a degree program pending the courses apply to the degree program selected.

What if I do not achieve the grades for the microcredential?

It is important for employers to understand the proficiency level attained when earning a microcredential; therefore, a grade proficiency level has been set for courses included in a microcredential. Students earn grades for the courses taken and all grades appear on the student’s transcript. Students who pass the class but do not achieve the minimum grade proficiency listed on the webpage, will not earn the microcredential, but may utilize the courses passed toward a degree program pending the courses apply to the degree program selected.

Why are we different?

We have developed a program with various pathways to meet your needs. Skills and microcredentials are a pathway of accomplishing credit, non-credit, and non-credit to credit coursework that can be stacked to lead to updated industry skills, a professional microcredential, and degree. The College has developed relationships with local, state and national industries to create a microcredential system to align with industry standards. You will earn a credential from a reputable accredited college that allows you to put your skills right to work or continue on to a degree.

We support our students on their journey. We have many support services including tutoring, advisement that includes career planning, and financial aid. If you begin to struggle with your coursework, tutoring is available at no additional charge.

What does it cost?

The cost of each credential varies based on the number of courses required.