Purpose of the Diploma Program
A diploma program is a coherent set of academic courses that do not lead to a degree, but are focused on a substantial area of study that is usually practically oriented towards skills and/or to meet special needs, especially those designed to provide specific competenticies or proficiencies within a limited time period. The award of a diploma means the holder has completed the required courses and related work at a specific level of academic achievement.

Program Description
The DECE program provides an educational and practical foundation for students interested in working with children from infancy through six years of age. In addition to theoretical principles, the curriculum offers practical skills and on-site training that will prepare students to work with families in such settings as daycare, head start, family daycare homes, kindergarten and home visitor programs. Graduates are also qualified to work as a daycare instructor, teacher or director in a daycare facility.

Program Objectives
On completion of the program, the student should be able to demonstrate the following competenticies:
1. Articulate concepts of childhood development including cognitive, language acquisition, social, emotional and physical development.
2. Articulate the relationship between the child's home, school and community and design learning to meet each of these settings for the child.
3. Design creative learning experiences.
4. Demonstrate ability to plan curriculum experiences, class organization for language, social studies, mathematics and basic sciences.
5. Demonstrate the ability to design learning environments that include facility usage, the appropriate equipment and materials.
6. Diagnose basic childhood problems and recommend basic steps to correct childhood behaviors.
7. Develop basic set of skills as a successful teacher and director.

Admission Requirements
Any person 18 years old or has a high school diploma or has passed the GED or high school proficiency test is eligible to enter the DECE program. If a student has not graduated from high school and does not have a GED or has hot passed the California High School Proficiency Test, but is 18 years old or older, a determination of that student's ability to benefit from participation in the program will be made by the program director. If the director decides to allow the student to enter the program, the student will be admitted to the program and allowed to demonstrate his/her ability to meet the program's performance standard.

Applicants for admission to the DECE program must provide the following information:
1. A completed admission application
2. Documentation of the highest level of educational attainment.
3. International students must submit a copy of their I-20 and proof of a current visa.
4. Pay the non-refundable application fee:
   $50.00 (US residents)
   $100.00 (International Students)
5. Pay the registration fee: $20.00

Test of Ability and Capacity to Benefit
from Instruction
In compliance with the California Education Code and the California Code of Regulations, all applicants to the DECE program are required to take and pass a pre-enrollment test, the Wonderlic or CPAT exam, to measure their ability to be successfully trained to perform the tasks or occupations or job titles to which the program of instruction is represented to be and whether they are qualified to practice the profession. Both tests are national standardized exams recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the Diploma in Early Childhood Education, students must satisfy the following requirements:
1. Complete all the coursework requirements for the program.
2. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all required courses for the diploma.
3. Meet the residency requirement: complete a minimum of 12 units of coursework at Stanton University .
4. File a Opetition for DECEO form in the university's office of Admissions and Records.
5. Pay any outstanding debts owed to the University