Renewal of the Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential is required every five years from the credential issuance date. The intent of the renewal process is to ensure and validate the ongoing efforts of credentialed directors to strengthen their leadership skills and encourage their efforts toward continuous improvement in their leadership roles. Click here to check your credential expiration date. Please note the following:
Once you have purchased the Aim4Excellence Credential Renewal, you will need to show that you are continuing to build your leadership and management skills. To meet this renewal requirement you may:
Step 2: Online Application
Once you have your documentation of coursework that can be uploaded, complete the online application titled Aim4Excellence Renewal Application. Follow the instructions provided to satisfactorily complete the process.
APPROVED RENEWAL COURSEWORK AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
What types of college coursework can I complete to meet the renewal requirements?
One option is to take a college course in the area of leadership, management, business, or administration from an accredited college or university. The course must be at the 100-level or above and be a minimum of one (1) credit hour. The coursework can be specific to early childhood administration; general leadership, management, business, or administration coursework. A listing is provided within this document. Alternatively, you may opt to complete a combination of McCormick Institute online modules to meet the renewal requirement. Please revisit Step 1 in the “Overview” section above for additional details.
Can I request to send a college transcript from a higher education institution other than National Louis University that provides college coursework in the areas of leadership, management, business, or administration?
Yes, as long as the institution is an accredited college or university. The course catalog description and/or syllabus will need to be included to review course content and its application to the identified areas of required coursework. This can be easily obtained by contacting the higher education institution attended.
I have certificates documenting that I have completed trainings for clock hours or CEUs. Can I apply them toward renewal of my Aim4Excellence credential?
Only the specified course completion certificates which meet renewal criteria will be accepted to document stated renewal requirements.
What documentation of my college coursework is required?
An official, sealed, unopened transcript from the college or university is required and must be mailed directly to: National Louis University, Attention: Aim4Excellence Program Manager, 1000 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090-7201. Another option is to have the institution send the transcript electronically for a small fee. We recommend checking with the Office of the Registrar at your institution's website for more information or many schools use the Parchment service. When requesting transcripts, please make sure that you enter your information carefully as discrepancies between your transcript requests and your student records can delay your transcript delivery. Official electronic transcripts will be accepted if sent directly from the college or university to Aim4Excellence@nl.edu. Your transcript must demonstrate that you have completed the course with a grade of C or above.
Can I submit a transcript from a course I took more than five years ago?
The Aim4Excellence renewal process seeks to demonstrate that you have continued your professional development surrounding the topic of early childhood leadership and management. That said, only transcripts for coursework completed after your credential issuance date (or credential re-issuance date if you have renewed previously) will be accepted for verification purposes.
National Louis University (NLU) Courses Approved for Aim4Excellence™ Renewal
Below is a list of courses available for credit through NLU that meet the coursework requirements for renewal. Note that this list may not reflect all available courses that meet the renewal requirement nor are these courses guaranteed to be offered in the current term.
View current course schedule.
Register for NLU courses.
UNDERGRADUATE-LEVEL COURSES
BUS 101 | Principles of Business
Students discuss major functional areas of business, including marketing, accounting, business law and ethics, operations, and finance. Students also explore theories of management and assess their level of proficiency in management for future development and improvement. (5 credits)
BUS 430 | Management and Leaderships
This course examines management and leadership theories and practices by exploring the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of managing and leading in today’s fast-changing organizations. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection related to essential managerial competencies and leadership. (5 credits) Prerequisite(s): ENG 101; admission to an undergraduate business program, and completion of 75QH of undergraduate coursework; or permission of Program Chair or designate.
BUS 431 | Professional Communication for Managers
This course helps students enhance their professional and interpersonal communication skills. Students engage in writing business proposals and drafting a variety of reports; explore the mechanics of oral presentations; create effective visual and data displays; and discuss challenges and best practices in cross-cultural communications. (5 credits) Prerequisite(s): BUS 430; or permission of Program Chair or designate.
ECE 303 | Issues, Trends and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
This course builds competency for successful advocacy and leadership on behalf of children, families, and practitioners in the field. Participants learn how to maximize knowledge of systems, effective communication strategies, collaboration techniques, policies, and resources to support and enhance the work of birth to three leaders. Concepts of whole leadership and visionary leadership will be explored and practiced. Students will also engage in an exploratory leadership project of their own choosing over the course of the term. In addition, individual professional development planning will take place as well as identification of credentials or certifications that the student is interested in pursuing. (5 quarter hours)
ECE 311 | Administration I: Leadership for Program Success
This course explores advanced leadership and operational management in early childhood programs. Students apply motivation theory, coaching, mentoring, and performance appraisal practices to support staff engagement and professional growth. Emphasis is placed on fostering positive workplace cultures through communication, collaboration, shared leadership, and conflict management. Students examine succession planning, systems theory, and strategic planning aligned with program mission and long-term goals. The course also addresses legal compliance, emergency preparedness, risk prevention, business structures, budgeting, grant writing, marketing, and program sustainability. (5 quarter hours-Available Fall of 2027)
ECE 312 | Administration II: Managing Program Operations and Finances
This course develops leadership competencies essential for early childhood program effectiveness. Students reflect on leadership style, values, and the Whole Leadership Framework to strengthen administrative, pedagogical, and essential leadership skills. Students learn to create program vision and mission statements, address ethical dilemmas, and apply strategies to empower and inspire others. The course emphasizes workforce development through recruitment, evidence-based hiring, onboarding, and continuous staffing models. Students also explore program evaluation, continuous quality improvement, strategic planning, and advocacy to secure resources that support high-quality, sustainable early childhood programs. (5 quarter hours-Available Fall of 2027)
ECE 313 | Administration III: Administering Learning Environments and Family Partnerships
This course explores the design of culturally responsive, inclusive early childhood learning environments that support children’s development and well-being. Participants apply child development theory and research to create indoor and outdoor spaces, implement developmentally appropriate curricula, and use intentional technology to enhance learning. Emphasis is placed on health, safety, nutrition, assessment, and continuous program improvement through observation and data use. The course also highlights family-centered practices, including welcoming strategies, shared decision-making, and culturally responsive partnerships that empower diverse families to support children’s growth. (5 quarter hours-Available Fall of 2027).
GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSES
BUS 503 | Leadership and Organizational Behavior
This course focuses on contemporary leadership and organizational behavior perspectives. Students explore topics such as authentic leadership, emotional intelligence, and teamwork while examining the individual, group, and organizational factors that influence a leader’s ability to exert influence and enact change. Through self-assessment, simulation, and reflection, students achieve a heightened understanding of how they can enhance their own leadership effectiveness, contribute to the effectiveness of their organizations, and realize their professional aspirations. (3 credits)
BUS 577 | Small Business Management
This course examines the dynamics of family life, family challenges, family stresses, and their impact on child development. The course explores the ecological contexts in which children live, the relationships among families, child care settings, communities, and broader social and cultural systems, and the personal and cultural filters through which early childhood professionals view children and their families. Emphasis is on the current social, political, legislative, and economic status of children and their families and the crises they face. Students will study existing community interventions that support children and their families and discuss the issue of public policy and private advocacy. (3 semester hours) Pre-requisite(s): ECE 504. Co-requisite(s): None
ECE 510 | Child, Family, and Community
This course integrates the core concepts of entrepreneurship with the skills and knowledge required for managing a small business. Students review major areas of small business operations, such as legal setup and obligations to the government and employees, banking and financing, accounting, and financial statements. Additional topics covered in this course are staff hiring and human resource issues, marketing, technology, procurement, sales and customer service, location selection and facility management, partnerships, and outsourcing. Students also explore issues related to franchising, buying, and selling of small businesses. (3 credits) Prerequisite(s): Admission to the MBA program, or permission of Program Chair or designate.
ECE 515 | Financial and Legal Aspects of Early Child Care Management
This course examines the financial and legal issues pertinent to establishing and operating child and family service programs. Emphasis is given to the development of sound fiscal policy that adequately addresses the issues of quality, compensation, and affordability. The course includes a survey of laws and regulations pertaining to licensing, insurance, children’s records, affirmative action and employment provisions, inclusion of special needs children, parental rights, child abuse, and custody. Students will also analyze the legal requirements and tax provisions that relate to the operation of programs with differing legal status (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, or a not-for-profit corporation.) (3 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
ECE 525 | Strategies for Supervision and Staff Development
This course focuses on the human relations side of administering early childhood programs. It analyzes the objectives and functions of supervision and presents guidelines for recruiting, hiring, orienting, supervising and evaluating a diverse staff. Participants will examine different conceptual models for understanding job satisfaction and the career stages through which practitioners progress and explore various individual and organizational strategies for promoting optimal performance. The use of technology and media in supervision and staff development is also included. Opportunities for participants to apply models of supervision and staff development in their respective educational settings are provided. (.5 to 3 semester hours) Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None.
ECE 527 | Organizational Theory and Group Dynamics and Leadership Applications
Using Systems Theory as an integrating paradigm, this course is designed to deepen participants’ awareness of how they affect and are affected by others in different group situations. Personal assessment is continuous throughout the course as students examine different ways of working effectively in groups as both leader and group member. Topics include an analysis of leadership style cross-cultural communication, and an assessment of organizational climate in the context of early childhood programs. Opportunities are provided for participants to apply the concepts of organizational theory, group dynamics, and models of leadership in their respective educational settings. (.5 to 3 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
ECE 538 | The Early Childhood Administrator: Individual and Organizational Perspectives
This course will examine key issues in adult development and job socialization as they relate to the early childhood practitioner within the context of his/her workplace or other professional settings. Life-span and life-course literature from the fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology will provide the theoretical framework. Topics covered will include personal dispositions and temperament, culturally competent leadership practices, ethics and moral development, role perceptions, crisis and transition, autonomy vs. inclusion, and the changing nature of relationships over the life-span. (2 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
ECE 540 | Grant Writing and Fundraising for Early Childhood Programs
This course will examine grants writing and fundraising as an integral part of an organization’s strategic plan. Participants will develop short-range and long-range fundraising goals as they relate to program mission and philosophy. Topics included will be potential revenue sources and effective fundraising strategies for early childhood programs. Students will learn the components of an effective grant proposal and the reasons why many proposals fail to get funded. Field experiences will provide an opportunity for students to gain proficiency in conducting a fundraising event or writing a grant proposal for their early childhood program. (2 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
ECE 542 | Public Relations and Marketing of Early Childhood Programs
This course introduces the fundamentals of effective marketing, the strategic marketing process, strategic marketing planning, and the components of an organization’s marketing program. The importance of promoting and maintaining a positive public image to parents, supporters, and prospective donors will be stressed. Included will be strategies for writing effective promotional literature, handbooks, newsletters, and press releases. Field experiences will provide an opportunity for students to develop a strategic marketing plan for their early childhood center. (1-2 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
ECE 544 | Early Childhood Environments: Design and Facilities Management
This course focuses on the physical environment of early childhood education care centers and how facility design affects the behavior of both children and adults. The principles of environmental psychology will provide the framework for assessing both indoor and outdoor environments. Topics also include health and safety considerations and the importance of implementing effective facility management systems. Applied field assignment in an early childhood program will provide an opportunity for students to evaluate design elements of different facilities. (2 semester hours) Prerequisite(s): none
