Credential Information for Institutions
Each credential in the Gateways to Opportunity System has certain components.
General Education
Depending on the level of credential, this may range from 12 semester hours in ECE coursework to a Master's Degree with 30 semester hours of ECE coursework.
Formal knowledge depending on the credential:
- Birth-8 formal coursework
- Specific Birth-3 formal coursework
- Specific Administration/Management formal coursework
Work and Practical Experience depending on the credential:
- Infant Toddler Experience
- Administrative Experience
Professional Contributions:
A Professional Contribution is an activity outside the workplace that contributes to the field of early care and education, or an activity in the work place that goes above and beyond a job description. As an entitled institution, the opportunity for completing professional contributions may be included as part of coursework or degree requirements. Each applicant must document a specified number of professional contributions related to infants, toddlers, and families, depending on the credential level for which he/she is applying. The Professional Contribution Areas are:
- Service in a Professional Organization
To become an entitled institution, all credential requirements must be met through your institution's coursework and student teaching opportunities, or by working with the student to understand other options to becoming credentialed. To see the frameworks for all credential requirements click on the following links: