The early childhood education program prepares students for professional careers as teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators in a variety of childcare/education settings. Graduates may seek employment in public and private preschool, Montessori, Head Start, school-age and other programs. The associate degree program also provides a solid foundation for further education. Stark State College provides early childhood 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). The 68 credit hour program includes extensive field observations and a 210-hour practicum.

The qualified candidate for the associate degree in early childhood education 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 early childhood education (ECE) application packet. The ECE 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 early childhood education program and with the recommendation of early childhood education department chair, graduates may apply for their pre-kindergarten associate license from the Ohio Department of Education.

All students interested in the ECE 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
ECE126	Educational Technology *	3
ENG124	College Composition †	3
		15
Second Semester
ECE122	Curriculum Design and Instruction ◊	3
ECE123	Health Nutrition *	3
SOC225	Cultural Diversity ◊	3
MTH222	Statistics	3
PSY125	Child Development ◊	3
COM121	Effective Speaking	3
		18
Third Semester
ECE124	Infant-Toddler Curriculum ◊	2
ECE221	Language Arts * ◊	3
ECE222	Creative Materials and Guided Play * ◊	3
ECE223	Community and Family-based Programs *	3
ECE226	Wrap-around Programs	2
ECE229	Educational Psychology	3
PHL122	Ethics	3
		19
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	68

* Course offered this semester only
** Developmental writing course requirements must be completed prior to enrollment.
† Based on SSC placement score
◊ Requires a grade of “C” or better