Early Childhood Education diploma

This guide has been prepared with the information you need to successfully register for your first year at UFV. Please review the information provided on this page thoroughly before contacting your academic advisor with questions.

Overview

After completing the certificate program students can continue their education and take advanced courses in more specialized areas. The diploma courses are offered in the evening (except practicum) giving students the option of working in the daytime. Two program options are available for diploma students. The two programs share a common set of core courses and each requires a different set of specialty courses. Completion of the three core courses and one set of three specialty courses leads to registration as a special needs or infancy (under-three) supervisor. Check the timetable or contact the program coordinator for information about the current offerings.

Program structure and requirements

Required courses

Special Needs specialty

Infancy specialty

Workload

Given that 3 classes correspond to approximately 20+ hours/week of schoolwork both in and out of the classroom, it is very important that you consider your workload capacity carefully.

It is much better to start with less and add more coursework in future semesters than to start out feeling overwhelmed in your first semester.

Ultimately, the number of courses you take each semester is up to you, below you will find a recommend schedule for first-year students:

Practicum

As part of the program, you also have one practicum to complete:

• ECE 243 — Infancy
• ECE 242 — Special Needs

Note: You must complete prerequisites and submit required documents to take practicum.

Questions about the practicum?
Visit the Practicum Centre or email Sandrine.Trichard@ufv.ca

Suggested course plan

Important:

• Not all courses are offered each semester, and you need to complete some courses in a particular order to continue in the program.
• You can take this program one course at a time but this will create a delay in practicum and graduation.

Meet with your advisor to create a completion plan for the remainder of the program.

Students who took the ECE certificate outside of UFV may need to take additional electives to meet the 60 credits required to graduate from the diploma.

Orientation

The Child, Youth and Family Studies department provides an orientation in March of each year for interested applicants and accepted students. Email CYFSinfo@ufv.ca to request your invitation.

The program information package can be found on the Child, Youth, and Family Studies website.

Next steps