Academic Program
Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Science Degree
The comprehensive early childhood education program prepares graduates to become effective teachers of children in a variety of pre-kindergarten through grade three settings, including preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers, public schools and related programs for children. Program faculty are committed to preparing committed, caring and competent educators who support each individual child’s learning and development through an ongoing process of information gathering and specific instruction that will result in a positive evaluation of the child’s accomplishments, as seen by the teacher, the parents and the child.
Candidates in the early childhood education program complete a bachelor of science degree, which includes extensive experience in preschool, kindergarten and primary grade classrooms. After passing Praxis II exams, candidates are eligible to apply for an initial state of Ohio teaching license valid for teaching children who are typically developing, gifted or at risk, or who have mild/moderate educational needs (but not a special education license) in preschools, kindergartens or the primary grades.
Freshman Admission Requirements
All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:
- Graduate in the top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
- Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
- Graduate in the top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT
Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including:
- College-preparatory English (4 units)
- College-preparatory math (3 units)
- Science (2 units)
- Social science (2 units)
- Foreign language (2 units same language)
- Fine arts (1 unit)
- Additional units from above (2 units)
Advancement in all education programs consist of a two-step process. The first step is admission as an education major, typically as an entering freshman or transfer student. The second step involves application to the Professional Cohort, which occurs during the second year for all Early Childhood, Middle School, or Special Education majors. Secondary Education students apply to the Professional Cohort during the third year. During the Professional Cohort, additional documentation must be submitted to faculty prior to placement in an internship.
Transfer Admission Requirements
All transfer students must have completed the high school course requirements listed above.All transfer students must apply and be admitted to the college and, separately, to the professional cohort.
- All transfer students must meet the GPA requirement of 2.8.
- All transfer students who have accumulated more than 90 credit hours and who meet the transfer requirements must also apply to the professional cohort. (Students apply during the academic year prior to their cohort year.)
Application Information
Program Code: 18BSED-ECE
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter - June 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.
Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.
Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to Raymond Walters College or Clermont College.
UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.
Program Requirements
Duration
Full-time program duration: 4 years
Majoring Details
The four-year program enables undergraduates to earn a baccalaureate degree. Students take general education courses during the first two years of the program. During the third and fourth years (also known as the professional cohort years), students take courses in early childhood philosophy and practices along with methods courses and get extensive classroom experience in preschool, kindergarten and the primary grades.
Advancement in the program consists of a three-step process. The first step is admission to the college as an education student. The second step involves admission into the professional cohort, which occurs during the second year (i.e., sophomore status or its equivalent). For more information about the cohort selection process, please contact an academic advisor. During year two, education students who meet requirements for advancing in the program must attend a mandatory information meeting during fall quarter and in early winter submit a completed application for admission to the special education cohort that begins the following fall quarter. Enrollment is limited; admission is competitive.
Once admitted into the cohort, students take their professional education courses. During the third year, students also complete a practicum. The third step of the admission process occurs during this year. During the fall quarter of the third year, students must attend a mandatory information meeting. In late winter, students must submit a completed application for admission to the internship that begins the following fall quarter.
Upon successful completion of the undergraduate program requirements, students earn a bachelor's degree from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). After passing state required Praxis tests, students are eligible to apply for a state of Ohio early childhood teaching license.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:
- Complete all required course work and program requirements.
- Attain at least a 2.8 grade point average.
- Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
- File formal application for the degree by the posted quarter of graduation deadline.
Accreditation
The educator preparation programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition, the early childhood education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This program has been determined to meet the Ohio reading mandate and is aligned with the Ohio content area standards.Student Success Factors
Successful candidates are those who:
- understand how young children develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially;
- demonstrate pedagogical and philosophical knowledge of and commitment to early childhood education concepts, principles and values;
- manage the social and physical environment of diverse learning environments;
- use and develop materials appropriate for young children;
- collaborate effectively with others;
- use technology to support their practice;
- use assessment to inform their classroom practices;
- exhibit responsible, caring, fair and honest behavior;
- demonstrate leadership through family and community involvement;
- address issues of diversity with equity; and
- commit to social justice.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of the early childhood education program are prepared to teach in a variety of settings. In public or private schools, they may teach kindergarten or the first, second and third grades, including young children with mild to moderate disabilities. They may also teach in preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers or related programs.Core Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. 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 enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| English Composition I, II | 15-ENGL-101, 102 | 6 |
| Intermediate Composition | 15-ENGL-289 | 3 |
| Literature elective | 15-ENGL-___ | 3 |
| Mathematics electives | 15-MATH-___ | 12 |
| Natural science electives | 12 | |
| Diversity & culture (Requirement met in licensure course work) | ||
| Social & ethical issues (Requirement met in licensure course work) | ||
| Free electives | 6 | |
| Academic electives | 18 | |
| Distribution areas (HP, HU, FA, and SS) | 12 | |
| Pre-Cohort Courses | ||
| Computer Tools for Teachers | 18-CI-247 | 4 |
| Schooling and Teaching in America | 18-EDST-201 | 4 |
| Human Learning & Development in Education | 18-EDST-275 | 4 |
| Foundation and History of Special Education | 18-SPED-250 | 4 |
| Human Dev: Early Childhood | 18-EDST-301 | |
| OR | 3 | |
| Child Development | 18-ECE-276 | |
| Human Dev: Adoles. | 18-EDST-302 |
|
| OR | 3 | |
| Child Development II | 18-ECE-277 | |
| Cohort Courses - Year 3 | ||
| Developmental Concerns in ECE | 18-ECE-400 | 3 |
| Foundations of Literacy | 18-ECE-415 | 3 |
| Teaching Reading Through Children's Literature | 18-ECE-480 | 3 |
| Assessment and Evaluation in ECE | 18-ECE-506 | 3 |
| Integrating Art, Music, Creativity in ECE | 18-ECE-540 | 3 |
| Accommodations and Adaptations | 18-ECE-401 | 3 |
| Play and Development | 18-ECE-411 | 3 |
| Math and Science in ECE | 18-ECE-490 | 3 |
| Preschool Practicum | 18-ECE-500 | 6 |
| Classroom Management | 18-ECE-430 | 3 |
| Phonics I | 18-ECE-468 | 3 |
| Teaching Reading and Writing I | 18-ECE-501 | 3 |
| Kindergarten Practices | 18-ECE-504 | 3 |
| Integrating Social Studies in ECE | 18-ECE-560 | 3 |
| Cohort Courses - Year 4 | ||
| Phonics II | 18-ECE-470 | 3 |
| Teaching Reading and Writing II | 18-ECE-502 | 3 |
| Integrating Math in ECE | 18-ECE-551 | 3 |
| Integrating Science in ECE | 18-ECE-570 | 3 |
| Opening School Experience | 18-ECE-575 | 2 |
| Primary Practicum | 18-ECE-576 | 3 |
| Senior Seminar | 18-ECE-582 | 3 |
| Internship in ECE | 18-ECE-577 | 12 |
| Personal Stories of Teaching | 18-ECE-495 | 3 |
| Families in Early Childhood Special Education | 18-ECE-402 | 3 |
| Curriculum | 18-ECE-580 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 180 | |
The curriculum provided herein is for the guidance of students. The college, however, reserves the right to change course curriculum without prior notice.
The provisions of this listing do not constitute an express or implied contract between the college and any member of the student body, faculty or general public.
The displayed information is the latest available from the academic program which is maintained by the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Student Services Center.
Focus Areas
There is no minor offered in early childhood education.Opportunities
Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:
- accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education;
- a number 78 ranking in U.S. News & World Report;
- the Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE); and
- consistently high scores by candidates on state mandated licensure exams -- 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis II licensure tests.
The early childhood education program provides small classes, talented and experienced faculty, and extensive field-clinical experiences in pre-school, kindergarten and primary grade settings. The program may be taken on UC's main campus or the Clermont College campus.