Emergent Inquiry
Knowledge and Skills
Be part of a learning community that explores the social, cultural, and educational history of emergent inquiry and Reggio-inspired early childhood education. Use scientific inquiry as an approach to teaching, learning, and problem solving in the early childhood classroom, as inspired by the Italian schools of Reggio Emilia.
The goals and objectives for the Early Childhood Emergent Inquiry Graduate Certificate are focused on emergent inquiry curriculum in the field of early childhood education in alignment with the vision of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for educating early childhood teachers and teacher leaders.
Candidates in this certificate program will demonstrate the knowledge and skills as described in the NAEYC Core Standards for Professional Preparation.
Creative Curriculum
This certificate provides a deeper dive into a type of early childhood programming where curriculum is designed in response to children’s social, creative and intellectual interests and capabilities. Children represent their learning in a variety of ways and the organization of learning environment is critical for guiding children.
The program is open to students everywhere who hold a bachelor or master's degree in Early Childhood or a related field (e.g. Psychology, Special Education, Elementary Education, etc.). Please note: This is not a prescribed curriculum approach, nor a teaching license program. Two years of experience working with young children (birth through 8 years) is preferred.
Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found on the Emergent Inquiry Cohort site or in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.
Coursework Designed to Encourage a Lifetime of Learning
Take courses in social development, creative development, designing physical environments, and language and literacy!
Cost
Credits to complete this program: 18 credit hours
| TN Residents | *eRate | Out of State |
|---|---|---|
| $672 per credit hour | $835.50 per credit hour | $1,513 per credit hour |
| - The *eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses. - Additional fees may be required. - Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. - The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details. |
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Steps to Apply
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Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account
Step 1 Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option
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Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal
Step 2 Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"
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Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields
Step 3 Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Certificate," term, then choose Emergent Inquiry and complete the remainder of the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What accreditations apply to this certificate program?
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. East Tennessee State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of East Tennessee State University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).
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What are the job prospects with this certificate?
Opportunities include but are not limited to the following: director of a Reggio Inspired School, teaching at a Reggio inspired school, pedagogical coach at a Reggio Inspired School, teaching at a preschool program that aspires toward guiding inquiry with children (schools interested in expressive arts and STEM), and atelierista (studio facilitator) at a Reggio inspired school or preschool.
This is a non-licensure program. Students seeking licensure to teach in public schools might consider the Early Childhood Development PreK-3 Initial Licensure Program. However, initial licensure programs at ETSU are only offered on-ground.
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Is a master’s degree required for admission?
No, a master's degree is not required for admission to this program. A student's undergraduate degree should be in either the early childhood field, a related field, or the student should have two years of experience working with children.
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Does this certificate require the GRE or GMAT?
Neither the GRE nor the GMAT are required for this program.
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Are the courses for this certificate asynchronous or synchronous?
All of the courses in this program are offered in an asynchronous format. There are no on-campus requirements, though some students have enjoyed coming to the ETSU Annual Early Childhood Conference. Students are encouraged to present at the conference.
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Are there any on-campus requirements?
There are no on-campus requirements. However, students are encouraged to participate in the ETSU Annual Early Childhood Conference.
Several of the courses do require field experiences in early childhood classrooms in the student’s local area as approved by the instructor (private PreK, not public school).
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Are scholarships available?
The department does not offer any scholarships for the certificate. ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships. Learn more on the ETSU Scholarship website. Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.