Antioch University

Programme overview

Antioch University New England’s Certificate in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education is a professional development pathway delivered over four semesters (13 months) with a summer or spring start. Courses are offered as continuing education or as graduate credits (12–15 credits if taken for credit). The curriculum emphasizes practical outputs that participants can use directly in their work: program brochures, policy manuals, business plans, curriculum documentation, grant proposals and parent communications. Coursework includes selected face-to-face weekend sessions and required intensive in-person July classes in Keene, NH, with some electives available online.

What you'll study

Instruction focuses on nature-preschool and forest-kindergarten pedagogy and program development. Each course expects students to produce tangible materials that serve practice and program launch: marketing and parent materials, policy and administrative documents, curriculum documentation in the spirit of Reggio approaches, business planning and grant proposals. Students generally take 6–8 courses across four semesters, enrolling for 3–6 credits per term.

Entry requirements

Applicants complete an online application with essay questions, a resume/CV, a non-refundable $50 application fee, and official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (emailed or mailed to AUNE Admissions). Two professional or academic letters of recommendation are required (not from relatives). Selected applicants will interview with a faculty member in person, by phone, or via Skype. Master’s and certificate applicants are not required to submit GRE or other standardized test scores. Additional requirements apply for international applicants and for those without a bachelor’s degree.

Career prospects

The program prepares classroom teachers, program administrators and entrepreneurs to teach in or to found nature preschools and forest kindergartens, or to integrate more outdoor programming into existing early childhood settings. Learning outcomes include developing models and documentation, creating resources for parent education and program policy, and building regional networks to support visitation and program development.

Scholarships & funding angle

AUNE provides financial aid advising and most students use some form of aid. The published tuition rate for the certificate is $840 per credit; the Nature-Based certificate is listed at 12 credits when taken for credit. Antioch also offers a 10% discount when three or more students from the same school or district attend AUNE Education MEd or certificate programs together, subject to limitations and conditions.