University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 12
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$790.00
- UK Online
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- Graduate Certificates
- Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy
About this Program
Lead policy change that strengthens supports for children and families. The Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy is a 12-credit, fully online program that equips professionals to analyze, design, and advocate for equitable child and family policies. Through interactive, real-time online courses, you’ll learn how education, health, workforce, and social service systems intersect—and how leaders can align them to improve outcomes for young children and the adults who care for them.
Faculty bring national expertise in early childhood systems, family engagement, and policy innovation. Students connect research to real-world decision-making, gaining tools to lead change at organizational, state, or national levels.
Designed For
Early childhood educators and administrators who want to influence policy and systems change. Nonprofit or agency professionals working in child development, family services, or community health. Advocates and policymakers seeking to translate research into actionable, equitable solutions.
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Learn more about the Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy online program.
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Fill out this form to be sent information on the Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
Across four interdisciplinary courses, you will:
- Analyze how education, health, and social policies affect children and families.
- Design and evaluate policy solutions that advance equity and access.
- Develop advocacy strategies to move research into practice.
- Lead cross-sector collaboration to improve outcomes for young children and communities.
Classes meet in the evening in an engaging, live-online format designed for working professionals and supported by close faculty mentoring.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as:
- Policy or program analyst in childhood or family services.
- Advocacy coordinator or government affairs specialist.
- Director or manager in nonprofit, agency, or community partnerships.
- Consultant or leader in foundations and research organizations shaping family policy.
This certificate also serves as a stepping-stone to doctoral study or advanced leadership roles in education, health, or social policy.
Course Examples
- EDL 580 History, Development, and Equity in Shaping Child and Family Policy
- EDL 581 Using a Policy Framework to Examine Child and Family Services and Issues
- EDL 582 Policy Research in Child and Family Services
- EDL 583 Leading Policy Analysis in Child and Family Services
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Leadership for Early Childhood and Family Policy program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- 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 2.5 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
- Resume - Limited to 2 pages, providing your name and contact information as well as postsecondary education (all degrees, years awarded, institution names, emphasis area), work experiences, education certifications, professional memberships.
- Personal Statement: Please write 2 double‐spaced pages, using either Times New Roman 12‐point or Arial 10‐point, page numbers and your name in upper right corner about why you are applying to the program.
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Spring 2026
Fall 2026
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Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Connect with classmates and faculty during live lectures and discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
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.
Online Learning
This program denotes "Online in Real-time". What exactly does that mean?
The program is utilizing synchronous lectures for a large portion of instruction. This requires students to log on and attend class or activities at a specified time listed in the syllabus. This could be a weekly occurrence, or less frequent. To learn more about the schedule, reach out the the program contact listed on this page.
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.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
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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