Child, Youth, and Family Studies

Early Childhood Education certificate

UFV offers a certificate program at both the Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses leading to registration in British Columbia as early childhood educators.

The certificate program includes basic courses in communications, interpersonal relations, child growth and development, working with children, and the early childhood curriculum.

Before taking practicum students will need a completed criminal record check. They may also be required to obtain a TB clearance and Rubella clearance (as per Community Care Facilities Licensing Legislation).

After completing this program, graduates can be licensed as early childhood educators by the Provincial Licensing Board, with an additional 500 hours of supervised work and a first aid certificate.

Following completion of the certificate, students who wish to continue their studies can continue into the ECE diploma programs specializing in special needs and/or infancy.

Entrance requirements

1. Suitability to work with children.
2. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
3. Prerequisites for ENGL 105.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall semester only. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
   • ECE admission questionnaire (available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms).
   • Letter of intent (250 words) articulating applicants' strengths, interest in the ECE field, how they have prepared, and why they feel suited to work with young children).
   • Prerequisites for ENGL 105. (If the prerequisite is being met through a college or university course, an official transcript is required.)
   • Medical endorsement form.
   • Immunization record.
2. After complete applications are received and reviewed, the Office of the Registrar will forward them to the Child, Youth, and Family Studies department. The department will notify applicants of an orientation session that they must attend. If applicants do not attend, they must make arrangements with the department to be eligible for admission to the program.
3. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees. If applicants do not register for courses and pay course deposits, their place will be given to the next person on the program waiting list and they must reapply to the program.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Admission decisions will be made in April and notifications sent out in early May.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Book and additional supplies cost approximately $500 per semester. Students must also have their own means of transportation. Up to half of their program time will be spent working in early childhood centres in the community. UFV takes no responsibility for students' transportation to field sites.

For information on loans, bursaries, and work-study options, students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid and Awards office.

Dates and location

The program is offered over four semesters, and is run in Chilliwack and Abbotsford in alternate years. Contact advising@ufv.ca for more information.

Program outline

Non-ECE requirements

ECE requirements

Students are required to complete the ECE requirements in the order indicated below.

Semester I (Fall)

Semester II (Winter)

Semester III (Fall)

Semester IV (Winter)

Practicum regulations

The department head reserves the right to approve any agency or institution that provides placements for student practica, and to change any placement assigned to a student. Students are placed in a practicum setting in accordance with their professional background and current learning needs. Students have the right to be informed in writing of the reasons for any change in placement. Students may be required to withdraw from a practicum course if none of the available practicum agencies will accept them.

A criminal record check is required prior to practicum placement. Upon admission to the program, it is the responsibility of students to initiate, pay for, and ensure the form is submitted in a timely manner to the Ministry of Justice (at least a month before Practicum is suggested). These forms are available from the department assistant. This will ensure the criminal record check clearance is processed before classes begin.

Program continuance

Students in the ECE certificate program must maintain semester and cumulative grade point averages of at least 2.33 (C+ average) in order to be awarded the certificate. Students who do not maintain the required cumulative GPA will be placed on program warning for one semester. If they do not attain the required GPA, they will need to meet with the department head before continuance in the program, and may need to withdraw from the program.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.