An administrator's certificate qualifies an individual to plan, implement and develop services and resources for a particular content area. Being a certified administrator means you are recognized as the best professional to administer programs and services in a chosen content area in Head Start.  HSU's certified administrator maintain a high standard of preparedness. They have exceptional access to resources.  They are skilled in several aspects of the content area chosen.  The certified administrator program focuses on helping professionals achieve this vision.  Student can get certified in eight core area:

1. Early Childhood Development

2. Health and Safety

3. Family and Community Development

4. Program Design and Management

   1. ERSEA Certification

5. Fiscal Management

6. Special Education Management

7. Human Resource Management

8. Technology Management

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A. Who should seek an administrator's certification? 

Certified Administrator's program is designed for current and emerging managers or leaders in the Head Start profession.  To achieve certification, employment in either a Head Start program, a delegate program or a state or regional association office is required. If you are a program manager, or an executive, or a supervisor or a department head or a deputy director or you are preparing yourself for this kind of position or responsibility in your agency and you are committed to maintaining high ethical standards of quality services and systems this this certification is right for you.

When you earn an administrator's certification, you are demonstrating your expertise with administration of current policies and procedures. HSU's professional certificate in administration aids you in program improvement of your agency's ability by preparing you to meet federal state and local Head Start requirements and the NEW requirement introduced by the 2007 Head Start Act. Being certified is the best way to stay up to date with compliance because—we continually update our certification program and measure it for relevance in the federal regulations.

B. What are the benefits of certification?

HS University's certification helps improve your agency's compliance. Head Start programs need to ensure their program is meeting federal requirements and these requirements changed with the passing of the HS Act of 2007.  Head Start employees simultaneously, need to ensure management that their skills will keep compliance issues from appearing in federal reviews.  HSU'S Certification exams are always relevant because they are continuously tested and revamped to reflect the most current Head Start trends. Head Start professionals review the exams before they are published, which allows us to always have a finger on the pulse. Our Certification exams are an efficient way to measure the skill set and they provide a reliable benchmark for ensuring compliance.

C. What are the certification requirements?

In order to meet certification program requirements, candidates must acquire a premier  certification level.  In order to accomplish this, you must:

1. Complete an application

2. Pay an fee

3. Attend a certification preparation course

4. Meet a certification program requirements

5. Take the exams

To earn your certification, you must pass several exams.   The exams are developed with the input of professionals in the Head Start system, the exams reflect how federal regulations and requirements must be implemented throughout the Head Start system.  The exams are administered by HS University professionals in locations around the US. 

D. What are the exam requirements? 

In order to meet certification requirements, candidates must acquire a certification level.  To accomplish this, you must complete an application, pay an annual fee, and meet a program requirements, attend a certification preparation course and take the exams.  To earn your HSCA certification, you must pass three core exams and one elective exam.   HSCA exams are developed with the input of professionals in the Head Start system, the exams reflect how Federal regulations and requirements must be implemented throughout the Head Start program.  The exams are administered by HS University professionals in locations around the US. 

E. What other types of certifications are offered? 

HS University's offers two other certification levels.  

Certified Professional program is designed for professionals qualifies an individual to plan, implement and develop services and resources for a particular content area. Being a certified professional means you are recognized as the best professional in a chosen content area in Head Start.  HSU's certified professionals maintain a high standard of preparedness. They have exceptional access to resources.  They are skilled in several aspects of the content area chosen.  The certified professional program focuses on helping professionals achieve this vision.

Certified Trainer program is designed for professionals who train in a particular area of Head Start. This certification program was developed with the input of Head Start professional and reflect how will deliver regulations. HSU's Certified Trainers (CT) candidates typically have 1 to 2 years training experience administering a training program in a Head Start. Certified Trainers (HSCTs) are qualified instructors who are certified by HSU to deliver HSU Official Curriculum (HSUOC) and yraining courses to Head Start professionals.

F. How do I get certified? 

HS University offers a four step procedure to getting certified

1. Decide which certification is right for you

2. Meet the certification requirements

3. Take the necessary certification training

4. Take your required exam(s).