The Early Childhood Development certificate program prepares students to work primarily in federally funded programs such as Head Start. This certificate also is designed for those currently employed who desire to make a career move and parents who want to learn more about the development of young children.

Admission into this program requires proof of high school graduation (or GED) and qualifying scores on SAT, ACT or the TTC placement test. Students who have transfer credits of C or better from an approved, regionally accredited postsecondary institution, may not need to take the placement test.

Program admission requires that students have a health assessment denoting good health, a negative tuberculosis skin test and compliance with technical standards. A clear criminal background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) also is required. In addition to SLED background checks, some child development centers and schools may require fingerprinting as well. Students entering these laboratory courses may opt to additionally be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting and a SLED background check are required for the Early Care and Education work force.