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Full Description

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Years Education and Care prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to plan and implement developmentally appropriate practices as they engage with young children. Coursework focuses on the unique needs and development of infants, toddlers and preschool children. Students who wish to pursue this degree program must possess a commitment to valuing all children, regardless of ability or background. In addition, they must have the ability to work collaboratively with the child's home and community.

Graduates of the degree program are eligible to apply for pre-kindergarten licensure through the State of Ohio. Graduates will be qualified for job positions as teacher assistants, child caregivers and family child-care providers in a variety of settings; including child-care centers, early intervention programs, hospitals, Head Start programs, home-based early childhood programs, private schools and public preschool and special needs programs.

The degree program articulates to the , from which graduates are eligible to apply for Ohio licensure to teach children in preschool to grade five. Completion of the associate degree does not guarantee admission to the bachelor's degree. Admission to the B.S.E. degree is selective.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, and the Twinsburg Academic Center, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.

For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

Program Learning Outcomes

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; and written and verbal communication skills.
2. Apply prior knowledge/experience to new learning environments.
3. Identify and use professional resources.
4. Integrate reflective and critical self-assessment with one’s own practice in early education.
5. Engage in informed advocacy for children and families.
6. Describe strategies to build positive, respectful and supportive relationships with families.
7. Support self-advocacy of the families in their communities through respectful and reciprocal relationships.
8. Identify young children’s typical and atypical developmental characteristics and needs.
9. Describe the multiple influences on child development and learning.
10. Create a healthy, respectful and challenging learning environment to meet the educational needs of all students in an equitable manner so all students may achieve their full potential.
11. Develop plans that build positive relationships and supportive interactions with children and their families.
12. Practice positive interpersonal communication with all constituencies involved in the education, development and care of young children.
13. Identify the goals, benefits and appropriate uses of various informal and formal assessment tools and approaches.
14. Identify and practice responsible assessment of learning and development.
15. Discuss the importance of core knowledge in the academic disciplines and how this relates to the education, development and care of young children.
16. Identify ways to engage in self-reflection in continuous and purposeful professional development.
17. Identify and uphold confidentiality, ethical standards and other professional and regulatory guidelines.
18. Engage in ongoing and collaborative relationships to enhance one’s own learning and practice.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Students must complete training in ALICE training, child safety training and CPR/AED before student teaching.

²

A minimum C grade in these courses is not required for the A.A.S. degree in Early Years Education and Care; however, a minimum C grade is required in these courses to earn the B.S.E. degree in Early Childhood Education.

³

3 credit hours are required for the Kent Core. This program requires a total of 6 credit hours to earn the associate degree.

⁴

Students continuing on to the B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education have specific Kent Core courses that are required under additional coursework. Students should meet with an advisor every semester.

Progression Requirements 

Students must successfully pass ECED 10120,  ECED 20101, EYEC 10121,  and the preschool block of coursework (EYEC 21005, EYEC 21010, EYEC 22000 and EYEC 22130) and related field experiences (EYEC 10192 and EYEC 20192) in order to register for preschool student teaching and related seminar  (EYEC 22140 and EYEC 22192).

Graduation Requirements

• A minimum grade of C grade is required in most courses; view the program requirements to see specific courses.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Salem Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus