Early Childhood and Family Policy
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
12
Total Credits
$610
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Online Early Childhood & Family Policy Graduate Certificate empowers those who are committed to working on behalf of young children and their families domestically and internationally. This innovative curriculum provides optimum flexibility through online courses offered in 8-week sessions so you only have to focus on one course at a time. In just four courses, students develop essential policy skills and understand the interrelationship of early childhood and family policies from a range of systems such as health care, education, family leave, mental health, child abuse and neglect, incarceration of parents, and minimum wage.
Society and its policymakers are becoming more and more focused on the importance of the early years and the need for quality services that are distributed equitably and sustainably over time. This graduate certificate places individuals at the helm of framing a new era for early childhood policy.
Program Outcomes
Our cutting-edge program prepares you to evaluate, inform, create, and advocate for substantial, durable, and equitable policy changes that benefit young children. Courses are rich with experiential learning opportunities that include interactions with instructors, classmates, and professionals working in the field. This unique style of networking will help you find creative ways to honor diverse cultures and allow for multiple implementation approaches to infrastructure and policy.
This innovative 12-credit graduate certificate program includes four 8-week courses that can be completed in just two semesters. The curriculum will guide you through how to use data and research to advocate for constructive policies and understand the nuances of policymaking and its implementation processes.
Our Students are Passionate about Social Change
You don't need extensive experience or background knowledge about policy or early childhood education. You simply need to be passionate about advocating for social change and have a desire to improve the quality of life for all young children and their families.
This graduate certificate is ideal for those working in early childhood centers, elementary schools, social work, public health, public affairs, or political science. Whether you have a home daycare or are an administrator in a school district, this curriculum will teach you how education and family policies are organized and constructed, and how you can become an influencer at the local, state, or federal level.
Career Outlook
A graduate certificate in Early Childhood & Family Policy from Great Plains IDEA prepares you to be an advocate for those who cannot do it for themselves. It may also provide opportunities to advance into leadership positions like executive director, supervisor, program manager, or program developer.
The curriculum provides real-world applications that can benefit people working in a variety of fields such as:
- Local, state, or federal Departments of Education or Health and Human Services
- State or federal education policy organizations
- Legislative/congressional offices
- Judicial offices
- Social service agencies with advocacy departments
- Non-governmental agencies for education, health, mental health, housing, and legal services
- International agencies like the World Bank, United Nations, and the World Health Organization
- Family advocacy programs
- School districts
- Educational or family policy think tanks
- Philanthropic foundations
A Top-Ranked Education
- 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi
Director of GPIDEA's graduate programs
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi is the Graduate Director for GPIDEA's graduate programs in Youth Development and Family Community Services. Dr. Kiuchi teaches various undergraduate and graduate classes online and offline. He has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books both in English and Japanese.
Course Information
Students must complete the following requirements:
History, Child Development and Equity (3 credits)
Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues (3 credits)
Theory, Analysis, and Research (3 credits)
Policy, Leadership, and Policy Advocacy (3 credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV)
- A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
- A written academic statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- No GRE required
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application.
- Submit all admissions materials in the application portal.
- Request official transcripts to Michigan State University from all previous institutions.
Key Dates
Fall Semester
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring Semester
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$610
$610
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
Program Overview
The Online Early Childhood & Family Policy Graduate Certificate empowers those who are committed to working on behalf of young children and their families domestically and internationally. This innovative curriculum provides optimum flexibility through online courses offered in 8-week sessions so you only have to focus on one course at a time. In just four courses, students develop essential policy skills and understand the interrelationship of early childhood and family policies from a range of systems such as health care, education, family leave, mental health, child abuse and neglect, incarceration of parents, and minimum wage.
Society and its policymakers are becoming more and more focused on the importance of the early years and the need for quality services that are distributed equitably and sustainably over time. This graduate certificate places individuals at the helm of framing a new era for early childhood policy.
Program Outcomes
Our cutting-edge program prepares you to evaluate, inform, create, and advocate for substantial, durable, and equitable policy changes that benefit young children. Courses are rich with experiential learning opportunities that include interactions with instructors, classmates, and professionals working in the field. This unique style of networking will help you find creative ways to honor diverse cultures and allow for multiple implementation approaches to infrastructure and policy.
This innovative 12-credit graduate certificate program includes four 8-week courses that can be completed in just two semesters. The curriculum will guide you through how to use data and research to advocate for constructive policies and understand the nuances of policymaking and its implementation processes.
Our Students are Passionate about Social Change
You don't need extensive experience or background knowledge about policy or early childhood education. You simply need to be passionate about advocating for social change and have a desire to improve the quality of life for all young children and their families.
This graduate certificate is ideal for those working in early childhood centers, elementary schools, social work, public health, public affairs, or political science. Whether you have a home daycare or are an administrator in a school district, this curriculum will teach you how education and family policies are organized and constructed, and how you can become an influencer at the local, state, or federal level.
Career Outlook
A graduate certificate in Early Childhood & Family Policy from Great Plains IDEA prepares you to be an advocate for those who cannot do it for themselves. It may also provide opportunities to advance into leadership positions like executive director, supervisor, program manager, or program developer.
The curriculum provides real-world applications that can benefit people working in a variety of fields such as:
- Local, state, or federal Departments of Education or Health and Human Services
- State or federal education policy organizations
- Legislative/congressional offices
- Judicial offices
- Social service agencies with advocacy departments
- Non-governmental agencies for education, health, mental health, housing, and legal services
- International agencies like the World Bank, United Nations, and the World Health Organization
- Family advocacy programs
- School districts
- Educational or family policy think tanks
- Philanthropic foundations
A Top-Ranked Education
- 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi
Director of GPIDEA's graduate programs
Dr. Yuya Kiuchi is the Graduate Director for GPIDEA's graduate programs in Youth Development and Family Community Services. Dr. Kiuchi teaches various undergraduate and graduate classes online and offline. He has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books both in English and Japanese.
Course Information
Students must complete the following requirements:
History, Child Development and Equity (3 credits)
Examining Practices, Policies, and Key Issues (3 credits)
Theory, Analysis, and Research (3 credits)
Policy, Leadership, and Policy Advocacy (3 credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV)
- A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
- A written academic statement
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- No GRE required
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application.
- Submit all admissions materials in the application portal.
- Request official transcripts to Michigan State University from all previous institutions.
Key Dates
Fall Semester
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring Semester
Application Deadline
October 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$610
$610
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.