This program develops attitudes and values in students that are indicative of caring, competent and committed early childhood education professionals. The curriculum includes both class and laboratory experiences planned to increase the student’s knowledge and skills in programs concerned with the development of young children. During the practicum experience, students work with a qualified cooperating teacher in a prekindergarten setting.
Department of Teacher Education and Human Services
Accreditation
The current accreditation term runs from March 31, 2022 through March 31, 2024
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
1401 H. St. NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Web address: www.naeyc.org
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Program Approval
This program is approved by the Ohio Department of Education to offer the Pre-Kindergarten Associate teaching license to students who are recommended for licensure.
Ohio Department of Education
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215-4183
Phone: 877-644-6338
Web address: education.ohio.gov
Career Interests
Graduates will be prepared for placement in child care centers, Head Start Centers, public schools, preschools, public preschool paraprofessional programs or other programs involved in the care and guidance of prekindergarten children and their families.
Licensure and Certification
Program graduates who meet licensure requirements are eligible to apply for the Pre-Kindergarten Associate License, a voluntary teaching license available from the State of Ohio Department of Education. License recommendation requires the approval of the Department Chair.
Owens Community College does not assert eligibility of the Associate of Applied Science Early Childhood Education Technology program for licensure in any state other than the State of Ohio. Students should consult the Department of Education in the state in which they intend to be employed regarding specific licensure requirements.
Student Advisement
Students shall be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the State of Ohio Department of Education, and may prevent placement in a field site. Students should consult the Ohio Department of Education corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at the College does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in relevant occupation. For additional information contact the Teacher Education Office FH 1118.
Admission Requirements
Each student must complete the Owens Community College admission application and the college assessment tests for reading, writing, and numerical skills prior to enrolling in the first semester. Students will be accepted into the Early Childhood Education program and allowed to register for Early Childhood Education classes with child contact when the above requirements are completed.
Additional Requirements:
Students will be required to create an account with OCCRRA (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association) as part of the ECE 100 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education course. As part of completion of the OCCRRA account, still are required to submit the following:
- Employee Medical Statement (J.F.S. form 01296) completed and signed by a licensed physician within one year prior to application.
- Completed Statement of Non-Conviction for Child Care Centers (J.F.S. form 01328).
- BCI & I and FBI Background check.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct
This code offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principle ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education. Students are expected to follow these guidelines when working with young children, families and coworkers, and demonstrate sound physical, emotional and mental health. Students can download the Ethical Code of Conduct from the Teacher Education and Human Services Students Blackboard site and will also receive it in their applicable courses.
Background Check Requirements
According to the Ohio Senate Bill 38, as enacted October 29, 1993, all individuals engaged in child care activity must complete a background check by the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I) and Identification and must complete a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) check. These background checks must reveal no convictions for any of the criminal offenses listed in the Ohio Senate Bill 38 in order for the student to be accepted into the program. The student assumes the cost for background checks. For more information regarding background checks visit the following websites:
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCI & I), www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov; Background Check FAQs
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), www.fbi.gov; Fingerprinting Information
Progression/Completion Requirements
Progression Level |
Courses |
Developmental (Level 1):
Prior to entering or enrolling in any Early Childhood Education Program courses, students must have successfully completed all developmental courses into which they have tested.
Student will advance to the next level if developmental courses are not required.
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MTH 091 , MTH 096 , or ENG 097 |
Preliminary (Level 2):
Students testing at college level may move to the Preliminary (Level 2) courses. Upon completion of the developmental coursework the student may register for Preliminary Level 2 coursework in the ECE program.
Successful completion of Preliminary (Level 2) course work and the items associated within the creation of the OCCRRA account will allow students to enroll in the Novice (Level 3) courses.
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(ECE 100 or EDU 100 ), EDU 101 ,
All ECE and EDU courses must be completed with a “C” or better to progress to Level 3. Students must also receive a passing grade in (ENG 111 or ENG 111P )
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Novice (Level 3):
Students must earn a minimum of a “C” or better in all Level 3 courses to progress to the Practicing Candidate (Level 4a) program section. Additionally, students may complete the Professional Candidate (Level 4b) courses simultaneously with Novice (Level 3) and Practicing Candidate (Level 4a) courses pursuant to the applicable prerequisites and corequisites.
Students who do not earn the minimum grades must participate in a mandatory review of their progress with the Department Chair to assess their potential and aptitude to meet ECE standards and State Licensing requirements. Courses may be repeated one time to meet ECE Department standards. Students who successfully complete this level of study move to the Practicing Candidate (Level 4a).
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(ENG 112 or HON 201 ), ECE 104 , ECE 106 , ECE 109 , PSY 101
All courses must be completed with a “C” or better to progress to Level 4a.
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Practicing Candidate (Level 4a):
Students who have successfully completed the Practicing Candidate (Level 4) with a “C” or better in all ECE and EDU courses may apply for the final capstone experience of the ECE program: ECE 298 Practicum and Seminar. Students who do not earn these grades must meet with the Department Chair to assess their potential and aptitude to meet ECE standards and State Licensing requirements. Courses may be repeated one time to meet Department standards.
Professional Candidate (Level 4b):
These courses may be taken in conjunction with Novice (Level 3) courses, and simultaneously with ECE298. Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses in order to graduate from the program.
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Level 4a:
ECE 201 , ECE 202 , ECE 203 , EDU 210 , ECE 298 (capstone experience).
Note: Students must earn a “B” or better in order to be recommended for the Pre-K Associate license.
Level 4b:
Note: These courses may be taken in conjunction with Novice: Level 3 courses pursuant to applicable prerequisites.
EDU 215 , ECE 216 , ECE 221 , EDU 280
All courses must be completed with a “C” or better to graduate from the program.
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Interdisciplinary Core Courses:
In addition to the courses outlined above, students in the Early Childhood Education Technology Program must complete interdisciplinary courses in biology, mathematics, and sociology.
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BIO 101 , MTH 133 , SOC 220 |
Grades
All students enrolled in this program must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all Early Childhood Education courses (ECE and EDU) and (ENG 112 or HON 201 ). Students who do not earn a grade of “C” in Early Childhood Education courses may repeat those courses one time. The Department Chair must approve additional course repetition.
Recommendation for Licensure
The faculty has the responsibility to both the public and the teaching profession to award a degree or license only when the candidate has demonstrated a satisfactory level of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions. Students in ECE are specializing in a professional area, and recommendation for teacher licensure does not merely attest to the accumulation of the specified number of hours in the classroom, but also to the demonstration of professional knowledge, skills and dispositions. Further, candidates must exhibit integrity and character consistent with the standards of ethical principles set forth by appropriate professional associations and Ohio law.
Students who have achieved a grade of “B” or better during ECE 298 Practicum and Seminar will be recommended for the Pre-K Associate license. Upon completion of the degree, those students may apply to the granting agent, the Ohio Department of Education, for this license. Consult the Ohio Department of Education for current license exam requirements.
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