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Early Childhood Care & Education

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), "The demand for early childhood care and education programs continues to increase, not only in response to the growing demand for out-of-home child care, but also in recognition of the critical importance of educational experiences during the early years" (www.naeyc.org/). This associate degree program in early childhood education prepares professionals who can provide high-quality educational experiences for their community’s youngest children. Students are usually practitioners working in preschools and other child-care and educational settings.

Graduates will be able to implement developmentally appropriate integrated activities and materials across the domains, including visual arts, music, movement, science and math, and early language development. The program also emphasizes working with young children and their families from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Student must also submit two letters of professional reference/recommendation. Students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

All transfer students must have a 2.25 cumulative GPA and submit two letters of professional reference/recommendation.

International Admission Requirements

International students should contact the University's Office of Admission for details. 513-556-1100

Application Information

Program Code

18AAS-DL-ECLC

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester

Freshmen:

• Application Deadline: Feb. 1*
• Confirmation Deadline: May 1

* Your application must be complete by this date in order to be considered for scholarships and the Honors Program.

Transfers:

• Application Deadline: July 1
• Confirmation Deadline: Aug. 1

Spring Semester

Freshmen and Transfers: 

• Application Deadline: Nov. 1
• Confirmation Deadline: Dec. 1

Summer Semester

Freshmen and Transfers: 

• Application Deadline: March 1
• Confirmation Deadline: April 1

Program Details

Program Requirements

Duration

2 years

Program Details

The associate degree in early childhood education is offered through the School of Education in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). The main goal of the program is to provide each student with an ethical and thorough understanding of early childhood theory and its application to the educational setting.

Each course teaches the relevant early childhood theory and developmentally appropriate practice. Classes are taught by faculty with experience as preschool, infant and toddler teachers and directors, so assignments allow professionals to apply their new knowledge in their own classrooms and reflect on their own teaching practice.

The associate degree requires a combination of general education courses along with early childhood courses. All degree requirements may be met online; no on-campus visit is necessary.

Almost all courses have at least one fieldwork assignment that requires access to children. For that reason, this degree option is highly desirable for working practitioners who can complete most fieldwork assignments as a part of their job duties. Likewise, the student teaching practicum and internship may be completed in the teacher’s own classroom, subject to approval by the program supervising faculty. Students videotape their own teaching and are mentored by a UC faculty and an on-site mentor who has been approved by program faculty. Students must log significant time in a preschool or an infant/toddler classroom during the internship. A video camera is necessary because video assignments must be completed and subsequently mailed to the ECLC offices for faculty review.

The successful completion of student teaching and all degree requirements may lead to faculty’s recommendation for Ohio’s pre-K license. (The minimum GPA for recommendation for an Ohio pre-K teaching license is 2.5, with grades of "C" or higher in all required education courses.) Out-of-state students should consult with their own state’s department of education to determine reciprocity, if out-of-state licensure is desirable.

Transfer credit is awarded from regionally accredited institutions only if it is equivalent to degree requirements. Application of all transfer credit is not guaranteed, even if it is acceptable to the university’s transfer center. 

Students may begin the program any semester during the academic year. Each student is assigned an advisor who can assist with an academic plan based on the student’s transfer credit and career goals. Completion of the program will vary depending on each student’s course load and work schedule; most students are employed full-time and enroll in two courses per semester.

Significant student support is offered through the CECH Student Services Center and the distance education support office in the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 30 semester credit hours.
• Submit formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The early childhood education program is accredited by the following:

• Higher Learning Commission
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Ohio Department of Education

Student Success Factors

Students who are successful demonstrate a passion for the field of early childhood education and a desire to master new challenges. Students must pass a background check, if not already required by their employer. Early childhood professionals must respect diverse children and families and be able to communicate effectively with children, parents, co-workers and supervisors. Computer skills are essential.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major pursue careers such as:

• Head start teacher
• Preschool teacher
• Infant/toddler specialist
• Program administrator in an early childhood setting

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Curriculum Guide Versions:

Fall 2012

Predominant Program

General Education Courses
• ENGL1001, English Composition, EC, 3
• ENGL2089, Intermediate Composition, EC, 3
• XXXXxxxx, Student must select one 3 credit hour college level mathematics course, , 3
• XXXXxxxx, Student must select one 3 credit hour Natural Science course, NS, 3
• XXXXxxxx, Student must select one 3 credit hour Free Elective course, , 3

Early Childhood Education Core Coursework
• CI1001, Educational Technology, TI, 3
• EDST1001, Introduction to Education, DC, HP, 3
• SPED1001, Individuals with Exceptionalities, DC, SE, 3
• EDST1002, Educational Psychology, SS, 3
• ECE1005, Learning Early Care & Education Online, , 3
• ECE1020, Health, Safety and Nutrition, , 3
• ECE2000, Introductory Child Development, SS, 3
• ECE2025, Families, Communities, and Schools, DC, 3

Focus Area (Choose One)
• XXXXxxxx, Students must select a focus area in either Preschool Care and Education Grouping or Infant and Todd, , 21

Groupings:

Preschool Care and Education
• ECE2010, Classroom Organization and Guidance, , 3
• ECE2015, Language Arts & Literacy in Early Care and Education, , 3
• ECE2020, Creative Arts in Early Care and Education, , 3
• ECE2040, Infant and Toddler Care and Education, , 3
• ECE2080, Preschool Student Teaching, , 3
• ECE2085, Preschool Internship, , 3
• ECE3010, Foundations of Math and Science, , 3

Infant and Toddler Care and Education
• ECE2045, Physical, Cognitive, and Language Development in Infant and Toddlers, , 3
• ECE2050, Social Emotional Development and Guidance for Infants and Toddlers, , 3
• ECE2055, Infant and Toddler Learning Environments, , 3
• ECE2060, Responsive Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, , 3
• ECE2065, Leadership and Professionalism in Infant Toddler Care and Education, , 3
• ECE2083, Infant Internship, , 3
• ECE2084, Toddler Internship, , 3

Minor Details

There is no minor in this program.

Special Features

Special Opportunities

This educational opportunity is only available online. The Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC) supports over 600 students from every U.S. state and several foreign countries.

ECLC has become a worldwide model for online education in the field of early childhood; conferences sponsored by national organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) have featured ECLC as a model for effective online practices. In addition, several articles have been written and published about the student support system and the student teaching experience.

The online nature of this program has required an individualized approach to student support. Each student receives toll-free phone assistance prior to enrollment. After a student decides to enroll, an orientation specialist leads each student through a program orientation and a technology orientation, so students learn Blackboard before they begin online courses. Each student is also assigned an advisor who is available via e-mail and phone for admission and registration advice and consultation.

ECLC’s website may be accessed at cech.uc.edu/programs/eclc/ for additional information on deadlines, registration and a complete list of articulation agreements.

 

Contact

Early Childhood Learning Community

Email: eclc@uc.edu
Phone: 513-556-2336

361 Dyer Hall
PO Box 210105
Cincinnati,OH  45221-0105