University of Kentucky®
External Certification in
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 33
CREDENTIALS Certification
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- External Certifications
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
About this Program
Gain skills to work in educational environments with children beginning formal education. In this online program, you will be prepared to work in a variety of settings such as preschools, kindergarten, early intervention (First Steps), childcare, research programs, state and local government agencies, hospitals and other private or publicly funded programs such as Head Start, Early Start and Kentucky's HANDS program.
The program is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but wish to teach in IECE settings requiring certification.
KY Option 6 Program
Kentucky’s university-based alternative route to certification known as Option 6, students may work in a full-time teaching position within a Kentucky-accredited school while enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education graduate-level initial certification program. Students would obtain a temporary provisional certificate (Rank III) valid for one year. The provisional certificate must be renewed each year, up to a total of three years.
Designed For
This program is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but wish to teach in IECE settings requiring certification.
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What You’ll Learn
The Graduate Certification Only program in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) is a 33 credit hour program that leads to Rank III certification in Kentucky. The program is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree, but doesn't meet the IECE requirements.
In the program, students will complete 12 hours of Pre-Admission Professional Courses. During the completion of these courses, students will apply for admission into the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Following admission into TEP, students will complete 21 hours of coursework including 9 hours of Practicum in IECE.
After completing all coursework work, students must take and pass the IECE Praxis II Test for approval by Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board to receive initial certification in IECE.
Course Examples
- IEC 552 Children and Families
- IEC 557 Infant Development
- IEC 659 Advanced Child Development
- EDS 600 Survey of Special Education
- IEC 507 Assessment in IECE
- IEC 508 Curriculum Planning in IECE
- IEC 509 Intervention Planning in IECE
- IEC 552 Administration and Supervision
- IEC 623 Practicum in IECE
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
During the completion of 12 hours of pre-admission professional courses, students will apply for admission into the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Following admission into TEP, students will complete 21 hours of coursework.
Students complete 9 hours of practicum in IECE as part of the TEP requirements.
To be admitted into the TEP program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Passing PRAXIS I or GRE test scores
- Code of Ethics and Character and Fitness Review
- Completed Admissions Portfolio
- Successful TEP interview
After completing all coursework, students must take and pass the IECE Praxis II Test for approval by Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board to receive initial certification in IECE.
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
The graduate certification program in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) is a 33 credit hour program that leads to Rank III certification in Kentucky.
The Graduate Rank III Certification Only program requires admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) after 12 hours of pre-admission coursework.
The following are application requirements:
- CV
- Writing Sample
- Should include the applicant's Philosophy of Education and Goals Statement.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
This program denotes "In-person Requirements." What should I expect?
This program requires students to complete some portion of the program in-person. These are usually infrequent, and are pre-scheduled. This does not necessarily mean that students need to come to UK's campus. Some examples of in-person requirements are:
- Internships that need to be completed in person in your own community.
- Clinical skills instruction or assessment
- Required retreats or conferences
- Dissertation presentation/defense
Reach out to the program contact listed on this page to better understand the in-person requirements for this program.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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