Early Childhood Education (ECED)

Early Childhood offers a program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Education, preparing teachers for Preschool through Grade 3 (ages three to age eight). The initial licensure program is designed to develop teachers who can teach effectively across the age span and meet variations in ability. Students pursue a program of study that involves liberal education requirements, college core requirements, and a five semester block of early childhood education courses that are integrated with field and clinical experiences. The program includes two student teaching experiences: preschool (300 clock hours) and kindergarten/primary (400 clock hours). In the remaining blocks, students complete a total of 546 additional field hours at the preschool, kindergarten and primary levels. This baccalaureate program is available at both the Kent and Salem campuses. The two year associate program is offered at the Ashtabula, Salem, and Tuscarawas campuses.

Degrees and Licensure Available

• Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) in Early

Childhood Education.

• Upon satisfactory completion of the Praxis II

examinations, graduates are eligible for Ohio

licensure.

  • Upon satisfactory completion of the degree, graduates will are eligible for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) Certificate in Teaching and Learning.

Admission Requirements

Freshman admission requires a minimum 2.75 high school GPA and 21 ACT (980 SAT) or 16 units of college preparatory curriculum. This is a selective admissions program. Students apply for admission in their sophomore year.

Scholarships/Awards

• Ethel Kotis Memorial: alternates with Middle

Childhood majors

• Jayne Kramer Memorial Book Scholarship

• Alice Sturgil Van Deusen

• Marion Van Campen Scholarship

Employment Opportunities

Students receiving licensure through this program are eligible to teach children who are typically developing, at-risk, gifted, and who have mild/moderate educational needs, ages three through eight, grades pre-kindergarten through three.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Education, there will be a need for two million new teachers by 2014. Many of these will be early childhood. Reciprocity agreements between the state of Ohio and other states are numerous. The IBPYP Certificate in Teaching and Learning prepares students to teach in the IB World Schools in 128 countries including the USA.

Accreditation

Kent State University ECED is recognized by

The Early Childhood Education Program is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Ohio Department of Education.

Contact Information

Dr. Janice Kroeger | email:
404 (L) White Hall
330-672-2580; 330-672-0617

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY I COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES