Undergraduate Online Certificates
WKU Online is proud to offer seven undergraduate certificates from a variety of fields—including the health sciences, social sciences, management, technology, and human services. Explore your options below:
The Kentucky Early Childhood Director Credential and Certificate are available to you while taking college courses in either the Early Childhood Education
program, or the Child & Family Services program. The purpose of the credential and
certificate are to provide individuals with the education and skills necessary for
managing an early childhood program. This program is entirely online.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes of the certificate program include an understanding of and the ability to apply the following in the early childcare setting
- State and national regulations and laws pertaining to the education of young children.
- Ethics and the National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethics.
- Programming for families and children.
- Supervision and staff development.
- Health and safety for young children.
- Financial management and marketing in the early childcare setting.
- Community collaboration/resource management to benefit young children and their families.
Few universities across the country offer the unique educational opportunity of the Family Home Visiting Certificate. This program prepares students to provide in-home services to families who are engaged in a variety of programs designed to strengthen the family, or assist a child with a specific need. Select examples of home visits includes working with families:
- At risk for child abuse and neglect
- Who need additional parenting skills
- Whose children are involved in First Steps
- Who are adopting a child
- Whose children attend Head Start
Home visiting occurs in a variety of fields, including:
- Early Childhood Education
- Child and Family Studies
- Education (Elementary, Middle, and High School)
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Gerontology
The online Long Term Care Administration (LTCA) Undergraduate Certificate is a NAB Academic Accredited Program when combined with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration. It is the only NAB Accredited Program in Kentucky and only one of 11 in the United States!
The LTCA Certificate is a 15 hour program and an excellent addition to aspiring leaders in nursing, finance, accounting, social work, dietetics, management, healthcare and information technology. As career opportunities in long term care continue to grow, there is a greater demand than ever for individuals with some preparation for leadership roles in national long term care organizations.
The certificate program in Occupational Safety & Health requires 15 hours and is designed to provide training for careers focused on the protection of human health from occupational hazards in the built and natural environments. Courses will require application of basic Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles and challenges, which will prepare students for diverse opportunities in safety and health, environmental management, and business careers.
Earning an Undergraduate Certificate in Applied Data Analytics will prepare you for or enhance your current employment using data in meaningful ways:
- Improve decision-making
- Enhance productivity
- Realize significant cost savings
- Capitalize on emerging trends
Students will engage in applied learning to acquire skill sets in data extraction, analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
Built in flexibility allows each student to customize the program with electives. Additionally, students who have already taken courses in information systems, statistics, or areas related to data management can work with their advisor to apply as many as six semester credits toward their credential.
The online Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a 20-hour program that is designed to provide students with the practical skills necessary for success in a variety of careers.
This certificate program is designed for disciplines that involve the analysis and mapping of geographic data. Students who complete the program will have a solid foundation that spans the collection, management, analysis, and display of data using GIS technology. Students gain practical experience by completing projects that require the use of sophisticated GIS functions. Finally, students learn how to develop and implement customized GIS applications.
Since the events of September 11th and other natural, technological, and human-caused disasters, the focus on emergency preparedness has grown. The 100% online Undergraduate Certificate in Emergency Management Disaster Science (EMDS) provides students with the knowledge and skills critical for planning and responding to complex emergency management situations.
The EMDS certificate is a 12-credit hour program that can be completed in as little as six months and is ideal for leaders in all professions committed to protecting and serving their organization and local community.
Students will have the opportunity to connect with industry experts in the field of emergency and disaster management, and expand their understanding of incident management, risk identification, emergency planning, and emergency management program evaluation.
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