In partnership with UC Berkeley’s Institute of Human Development (IHD), the Goldman School of Public Policy announces the launch of the Early Learning Science and Child Policy Graduate Certificate. The certificate will prepare UC Berkeley graduate students to leverage the latest research in early childhood to inform practices, policies, and interventions to address challenges facing children and their families. The certificate is funded through the Early Childhood Policy in Institutions of Higher Education (ECPIHE) Initiative, which selected UC Berkeley as one of five U.S. research universities to develop a graduate program to train the experts needed for this exciting and burgeoning policy area.

“New research shows definitively that early experiences can have long-lasting and wide-ranging effects on children’s learning and development and their health and happiness as adults,” said Professor of Psychology Alison Gopnik. “This certificate will help connect UC Berkeley's research rigor and public-service orientation to the emerging field of early childhood policy.”

Recent scientific advances have underscored the critical learning and development that happens in a child’s first eight years. Promoting healthy learning and development early in a child’s life can positively impact that child’s life trajectory and provide an excellent return on investment for society. This understanding has spurred a dramatic increase in public investment. For example, California’s 2022-23 budget allots $12 billion for child-care and preschool programs. With this investment comes an increased need for researchers and practitioners who will help create and implement coordinated, effective, and equitable policies, practices, and infrastructure that support children birth-through-8-years-old.

Berkeley graduate students enrolled in the certificate program will work in transdisciplinary teams to develop, analyze, and advocate for policies that benefit young children and their families. This interdisciplinary and collaborative research will integrate policy and developmental science with the complexity of influences and interactions experienced by young children in their diverse contexts.

“There’s incredible work being done at UC-Berkeley about how to support our youngest children’s learning and well-being,” said Public Policy Professor Rucker C. Johnson. “This is our opportunity to bring the latest research from across campus—together with the best people—to develop policies that meaningfully address the vexing challenges of unequal opportunity facing young children today.” 

“We are proud to collaborate with IHD and to be one of the few universities chosen to develop this innovative program,” said Goldman School Dean David C. Wilson. “The graduate students trained by this initiative will use cutting-edge science to inform how we create the most effective policies for our children. This kind of strategic, evidence-based innovation is the heart of what the Goldman School is all about.”

To pursue the certificate, Berkeley graduate students complete a minimum of three courses and an early childhood policy internship. The courses include the early childhood policy seminar (EDUC264), as well as two approved electives from public policy, education, public health, psychology, or social welfare. In addition, graduate students complete a 150-hour early childhood policy internship in the community. 

“An essential part of learning how to improve (and evaluate) policies that impact young children is gaining a broader understanding of scientific advances—not only about learning and development but also about the role of social learning and social contexts that can promote positive developmental trajectories and how to leverage these insights in ways that can be implemented in our neighborhoods and preschools,” said Dr. Ron Dahl, Director of the Institute of Human Development and Professor in Public Health.

Graduate students from across the UC Berkeley campus whose career pursuits pertain to early childhood and the application of developmental science are encouraged to enroll.

Read more about the Early Learning Science and Child Policy Graduate Certificate on the IHD website.