Early Childhood Education - A.A.S. Download to print

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Technology (ECET) is offered at the Salem and Tuscarawas Campuses. A minimum of 2.00 GPA (C grade) is required in each technical course and a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA is required for graduation. Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to apply for Ohio’s associate degree preschool license.

The coursework for this associate degree also is fully applicable to the baccalaureate degree in early childhood education at either the Kent, Salem or Tuscarawas campuses, although completion of the associate degree does not guarantee admission to the baccalaureate program. Students who wish to be admitted to the baccalaureate degree program at the Kent Campus need to check the Early Childhood Education section under the College of Education, Health, and Human Services for admission requirements and other information about this selective admission program.

The baccalaureate program at Kent State Salem and Tuscarawas is also selective, following standards established at the Kent Campus. To be considered for admission, students must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. This includes: completion of all required Kent State undergraduate coursework with a minimum cumulative 2.750 GPA and passing scores on the PRAXIS I tests. Students will also be required to attend a small group interview and complete a written essay as part of the admissions process. have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in all previous Kent State undergraduate coursework and have completed the ECET associate degree. The most qualified applicants will be accepted based upon the number of available student spaces and consideration of the above criteria.

For information about the Kent State Salem or Tuscarawas baccalaureate program, students should contact the Kent State Salem or Tuscarawas program director for early childhood education the semester before beginning the associate degree student-teaching experience. Because there are limited spaces available, meeting the minimum criteria listed above does not guarantee admission to the program. Students who successfully complete the baccalaureate curriculum are eligible to apply for an Ohio license, valid for teaching children in preschool through grade three.
 

Teacher assistants held 1.3 million jobs in 2006. About 3 out of 4 worked for public and private elementary and secondary schools. Child care centers and religious organizations employed most of the rest.
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Admission is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
 

Minimum 68 credit hours. Minimum 2.000 cumulative GPA and in major.
 

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills in: self-assessment, reflection and self-advocacy; mastery and application of foundational concepts from general education; written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate the ability to make connections between prior knowledge/experience and new learning. Identify and use professional resources.

2. Integrate reflective and critical self-assessment with one’s own practice in early education.

3. Develop an awareness of and engage in informed advocacy for children and families.

4. Understand and value family and community characteristics in order to enhance curriculum and family partnerships. Support self-advocacy of the families in their communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.

5. Understand young children’s typical and atypical developmental characteristics and needs. Understand the multiple influences on child development and learning. Use knowledge of child development to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.

6. Understand and develop positive relationships and supportive interactions with children and their families. Understand and practice positive interpersonal communication with all constituencies involved in the education, development and care of young children.

7. Understand the goals, benefits and appropriate uses of various informal and formal assessment tools and approaches. Understand and practice responsible assessment.

8. Understand the importance of core knowledge in the academic disciplines and how this relates to the education, development and care of young children.

9. Demonstrate professionalism by becoming knowledgeable about opportunities and resources for professional growth and development and by becoming actively involved in the profession. Understand and uphold confidentiality, ethical standards and other professional and regulatory guidelines. Engage in ongoing, collaborative relationships to enhance one’s own learning and practice.

10. Use own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum to promote positive learning outcomes for all children of varying abilities.

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