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Early Childhood Leadership CGS
Advance your career with an in-demand certificate that primes you for leadership.
Make meaningful community change in a fulfilling Early Childhood Leadership role.
Our Early Childhood Leadership Certificate of Graduate Study prepares you to be a passionate, motivated, leader – ready to innovate early learning policy, practice, programs, and systems to transform lives. If you're an Early Childhood Education (ECE) professional looking to move into a leadership or advanced role, this program will provide you with the necessary tools and skillsets.
Prepared for Elevated Positions
We'll equip you to work in a variety of early learning and development settings, including schools, childcare centers, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, museums, and government agencies. Roles to pursue include:
- Preschool/Child Care Center Administrator
- HeadStart Director
- ECE Center Program Director/Manager
- ECE Policy Coordinator
- ECE Instructional Coach/Lead Teacher
- ECE Curriculum Development Specialist
- ECE Educational Consultant
- Early Childhood Center Owner
Why Early Childhood Leadership at Â鶹Դ´?
- The Early Childhood Leadership CGS is a high-need, sought-after graduate level certificate in Rhode Island.
- Our program utilizes the Whole Leadership Framework – empowering and equipping emerging and current ECE leaders with pedagogical, administrative, and essential leadership skills.
- We offer flexibility for working professionals with 15 credit hour hybrid coursework.
- These certificate credits are stackable toward a master's degree in Advanced Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Teacher Leadership. (15 credits from this CGS program + 15 core credits in Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning)
Our cohort model and outstanding faculty foster a supportive community to develop empathetic, innovative, and culturally responsive leaders who advocate for children, families, and communities.
Dr. Karen L. Capraro
- Professor
Dr. Natasha J. Feinberg
- Associate Professor
Dr. Nandita Gurjar
- Assistant Professor
Dr. Maria E. Lawrence
- Professor
Dr. Carolyn H. Obel-Omia
- Professor
Beth M. Pinheiro
- Interim Associate Dean of the FSEHD
Dr. Leslie A. Sevey
- Professor
Ensuring that You'll be Ready
Nandita Gurjar
"We empower our leadership candidates to serve and advocate for children, families, and communities by developing culturally responsive, enriching, and sustainable early learning systems that are built on the foundation of care, collaboration, and community."
Program Director
Program Details
How to Apply
- by first creating an account. If you already have an account, please navigate to the Log In tab.
- Once logged in, you will be directed to the Online Graduate Studies Application Menu. Click on "Apply Online" to begin your application.
- Complete all required fields with your personal information. Please note that you will not be able to proceed if any required information is missing.
- On the second page, select your Program Choice for Graduate Studies at Â鶹Դ´. For this program, please choose "Early Childhood Leadership, C.G.S."
- Indicate the term in which you wish to begin your studies, such as Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
- The subsequent pages will contain the application that must be fully completed prior to submitting your application, along with the nonrefundable fee of $50.00.
- Please carefully refer to all program admission requirements when applying.
Course Requirements
- ECED 500: Foundations in Business Management in ECE (3 credits)
- ECED 515: ECE Leadership and Supervision (3 credits)
- ECED 525: ECE Systems Thinking and Organizational Culture (3 credits)
- ECED 535: ECE Internship and Community of Practice (3 credits)
- ECED 545: Professional Development in Early Childhood Leadership (3 credits)
Program/Learning Goals
Students completing the Early Childhood Leadership CGS will:
- develop intrapersonal and interpersonal leadership skills utilizing culturally responsive practices
- develop pedagogical leadership knowledge and skills to facilitate effective community building strategies and advocacy to strengthen children and families
- develop administrative leadership knowledge and skills to support high quality programs utilizing effective organizational systems
Take the Next Step!
Feinstein School of Education and Human Development
The Feinstein School administers and coordinates all professional education programs at Â鶹Դ´. We offer a range of programs, including early childhood, pre-K-12, counseling, school psychology, youth development and health and wellness.
- phone401-456-8110
- placeHorace Mann Hall 241
