The education intervention specialist option prepares students for employment in educational/child care settings that provide services to children with special needs. Graduates may seek employment as paraprofessionals in public institutions such as MRDD or public preschool programs.

The associate degree program also provides a solid foundation for further education. Stark State College provides education graduates with a solid basis for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education and related fields.

Coursework features a holistic, child-centered approach to educating children that promotes the appreciation of the diversity and special needs of today’s children and families. Teacher training emphasizes developmentally appropriate curriculum design and instruction based on guidelines set by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Ohio standards. The 71 credit hour program includes extensive field observations and a 210-hour practicum in a special needs classroom. The qualified candidate for the associate degree in education intervention specialist major will demonstrate professional knowledge, abilities, dispositions, values, and attitudes regarding child development and learning, curriculum development and implementation, family and community relationships, assessment and evaluation, professionalism, and practice during field experiences.

Students are required to complete an education application packet. The education application packets are distributed to students when enrolled in Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE121) or Curriculum Design and Instruction (ECE122).

Upon successful completion of the education program and with the recommendation of the education department chair, graduates may apply for their pre-kindergarten associate license from the Ohio Department of Education.

All students interested in the education program are required to undergo a criminal background check prior to applying to the ECE program. Criminal background checks may prevent placements, program completion/graduation, and potential employment in the field.

Suggested Course Sequence

For course descriptions visit here.

First Semester		Credit Hours
ECE121	Introduction to Early Childhood Education ** ◊	3
SOC123	Dynamics of the Family	3
PSY121	General Psychology †	3
ENG124	College Composition †	3
ECE126	Educational Technology*	3
PHL122	Ethics	3
		18
Second Semester
ECE122	Curriculum Design and Instruction ◊	3
SOC225	Cultural Diversity ◊	3
PSY125	Child Development ◊	3
MTH222	Statistics	3
COM121	Effective Speaking	3
ECE125	Children with Physical Exceptionalities * ◊	3
		18
Third Semester
ECE221	Language Arts * ◊	3
ECE222	Language Arts * ◊	3
ECE223	Community and Family-based Programs * ◊	3
ECE229	Educational Psychology *	3
ECE230	Children with Socioemotional Exceptionalities	3
ECE226	Wrap-around Programs	2
ECE124	Infant-Toddler Curriculum * ◊	2
		18
Fourth Semester
ECE224	Early Childhood Program Administration	3
ECE225	The Exceptional Child *	3
ECE227	ECE Practicum and Seminar ◊	3
ECE228	Phonics for Young Children * ◊	3
BIO126	Science, Energy and the Environment	4
		16
	TOTAL CREDITS	71

◊ Requires a grade of “C” or better
† Based on SSC placement score
* Course offered this semester only