Early Childhood Education (ECE)
The Early Childhood Education program at Cincinnati State seeks to prepare early childhood educators with the content knowledge and skills required to care for and educate young children though a robust curriculum aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards and Competencies.
Through experiential, progressive, and reflective learning experiences, future early childhood educators recognize the importance of collaboration among families, communities, and other professionals in the life of the child.
The Early Childhood Education associate's degree program serves as a career pathway that supports the community by making available prepared, professional early childhood educators for childcare, preschool, elementary school, and Head Start programs throughout the area.
Additionally, students are educationally prepared to enter bachelor's degree programs and pursue higher level educator preparation degrees. Graduates are eligible to apply for the Pre-Kindergarten Associate Teacher License offered by the Ohio Department of Education.
The William L. Mallory Early Learning Center on the Cincinnati State campus provides outstanding childcare and also serves as a learning lab for students earning the Early Childhood Education degree.
The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science degree at Cincinnati State is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from May 2018 through March 2025.
Child Development Associate Credential (CDAC)
The Early Childhood Education program at Cincinnati State prepares early childhood educators with the content knowledge and skills required to care for and educate young children.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate program offers the courses required by the Council for Professional Recognition to prepare students to qualify for the comprehensive Child Development Associate Credentialing process. The CDA national credentialing program is a professional development opportunity that allows educators working in a variety of settings with children ages birth to 5 years old, and their families, to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities in the early childhood education field.
Students who earn the CDA Credential receive credit for three courses in the Early Childhood Education associate's degree program.
For more information, please contact the Humanities and Sciences Division at (513) 569-1700.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| EDU 105 | Introduction to Education ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 125 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 145 | The Developing Child ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MAT 141 | Math for Elementary School Teachers 1 ( G) | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| ECE 180 | Infant and Toddler Environments ( T) | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ECE 155 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Childhood ( T) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| ECE 175 | Family, Community, and Schools ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 160 | Assessment and Observation in Early Childhood Education ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| ECE 185 | Creative Learning Environments ( T) | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ECE 215 | Classroom Management and Guidance ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Preschool and School Age Environments ( T) | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ECE 165 | Emergent Literacy ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG 10X English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| EDU 210 | Educational Psychology ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 230 | Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU 200 | Individuals with Exceptionalities ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 290 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education ( T) | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Science Elective (G) | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| Total Credits: | 59 | 24 | 65 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | College Success Strategies: Overview | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies: Overview and Application | 2 |
| FYE 110 | College Success Strategies: Practice and Application | 3 |
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| Science Elective | ||
| BIO 111 | Biology: Unity of Life | 4 |
| EVS 110 | Environmental Science: Conservation and Cleanup | 4 |
| EVS 120 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| EVS 130 | Environmental Science: Ecology and Ecosystems | 4 |
| PSC 105 | Stars and Galaxies | 4 |
| PSC 110 | Earth Science | 4 |
Some courses are offered in alternative versions identified with a letter after the course number-- for example, ENG 101 and ENG 101A.
- This curriculum displays only course numbers without the added letter.
- The alternative version, when available, meets the requirements of the course version without the added letter.
The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum.
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
Child Development Associate Credential (CDAC)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECE 111 | Child Development Associate 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ECE 112 | Child Development Associate 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Total Credits: | 8 | 0 | 8 | |
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- STANDARD 1. Promoting Child Development and Learning
- STANDARD 2. Building Family and Community Relationships
- STANDARD 3. Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
- STANDARD 4. Using Developmentally Effective Approaches
- STANDARD 5. Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
- STANDARD 6. Becoming a Professional
Courses
ECE 111 Child Development Associate 1
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
This course provides 60 of the 120 clock-hours of training required by the Council for Early Childhood Professionals Recognition/CDA National Credential Program. Topics include: six competency standards and 13 functional areas required for the credential program, focusing on the competency areas safe and healthy environments, physical and intellectual competence, and social and emotional development.
Prerequisites: None
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ECE 112 Child Development Associate 2
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ECE 111 that provides 60 clock-hours of additional training. Topics include: six competency standards and 13 functional areas, focusing on relationships with families, program organization, and professionalism, as well as preparing for the competency test and portfolio review.
Prerequisites: ECE 111
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ECE 125 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
An introductory course on the Early Childhood Education field and related services that support children and their families from birth to age 5. Topics include: the Early Childhood Education profession and the role of the teacher/caregiver, history of Early Childhood Education, major models and programs that support and/or educate young children, foundational theories and practices for such programs, and current issues in the field.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101
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ECE 145 The Developing Child
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on growth and development of children from prenatal through age twelve. Topics include: characteristics and needs of children for physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth and development; and theories of early childhood education.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101
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Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved
ECE 155 Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Childhood
2 Credits. 2 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for managing health, safety, and nutrition in child care settings serving infants through school age children. Topics include: childhood communicable diseases, licensing requirements, and nutritional needs of young children.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101
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ECE 160 Assessment and Observation in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on strategic and purposeful techniques for observing, recording, and assessing the progress of children from infants to school age.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101
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ECE 165 Emergent Literacy
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on growth and development of oral language from birth to school age. The course meets the Ohio Early Learning Standards for reading and writing for young children. Topics include: the study of reading and writing, the teacher's role in promoting early literacy, and phonemic awareness.
Prerequisites: EDU 105 and ECE 145 (minimum grade C for both)
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ECE 175 Family, Community, and Schools
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for parent/teacher collaboration. Topics include: effective communication among parents, teachers, and other professionals for enhancing child development; maintaining positive relationships; and working with diverse family units.
Prerequisites: FYE 120 or placement into ENG 101
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Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved
ECE 180 Infant and Toddler Environments
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on concepts and techniques for care and nurturing of infants and toddlers. Topics include: promoting growth and development, classroom management, and developmentally appropriate practice. Students spend three hours per week in an early childhood care setting.
Prerequisites: ECE 125 and ECE 145 and EDU 105 (minimum grade C for all)
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ECE 185 Creative Learning Environments
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on creating learning experiences for young children. Topics include: art, music, social studies, math, and science curricula; indoor and outdoor play; and selecting developmentally appropriate materials and equipment.
Prerequisites: EDU 105 and ECE 145 (minimum grade C for both)
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ECE 215 Classroom Management and Guidance
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for management of early educational classrooms, and implementation of developmentally appropriate practice and guidance for children from birth to age eight.
Prerequisites: ECE 180 (minimum grade C)
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ECE 220 Preschool and School Age Environments
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on concepts, techniques, and educational theories for teaching preschool and school age children. Topics include: learning through play, promoting growth and development, classroom management, and developmentally-appropriate practice. Students spend three hours per week in a preschool setting.
Prerequisites: ECE 180 (minimum grade C)
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ECE 230 Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on organizing, operating, and managing child care facilities and family child care homes. Topics include: licensing requirements, record keeping, budgeting, working with staff and parents, team building, resolving conflicts, and other leadership skills.
Prerequisites: ECE 220 (minimum grade C)
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ECE 290 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 14 Lab Hours.
Students spend a minimum of 14 hours per week in a supervised student teaching experience in an approved early childhood care/education setting. Students must prepare a professional portfolio. Placement settings should be accredited or meet requirements for Ohio Step Up To Quality Level 3, and serve culturally, linguistically, and socio-economically diverse student populations.
Prerequisites: ECE 220 (minimum grade C) and ECE Program Chair consent
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