Program Overview
Early Childhood and Elementary Education
The Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECEE) program focuses on a child-centered approach to educating preschool children aged three to grade five. Throughout the program, students engage in coursework that promotes the importance of nurturing young minds and helping them reach their full potential.
Program Overview
Ohio University's five regional campuses, as well as the Athens campus, offer B.S.Ed. in ECEE programs. Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood enter their program of study as Pre-Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Acceptance into the program is selective. Upon meeting criteria for teacher candidacy into the ECEE program, students can begin the professional sequence of courses leading to a teaching license.
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student to faculty ratio for classroom instruction at OHIO Lancaster is 16:1.
Financial Aid
98% of OHIO Lancaster first-year students received financial aid in Fall 2021.
Early Childhood and Elementary Education Courses
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education includes courses in teaching methods, English, mathematics, and the sciences. The complete major requirements can be found in the B.S.Ed. undergraduate catalog.
Potential Careers
The early childhood and elementary education major prepares students to teach children three years old through fifth grade in preschool and elementary settings. In addition to being qualified to teach in primary grades, graduates can also teach in pre-primary programs, such as public school preschools, private pre-kindergarten schools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs.
Career Statistics
- As of May 2024, elementary school teachers in Ohio earn an annual median wage of $65,380.
Tuition and Fees
The OHIO Guarantee provides a fixed rate table for tuition and most fees for four years (or 12 consecutive semesters). Financial aid for undergraduate students is available in the form of scholarships, grants, and student loans.
West Virginia and Kentucky Residents
Residents of West Virginia can qualify for in-state tuition. Kentucky residents in nearby counties can qualify for in-state tuition at OHIO Southern or Athens, accessing the resources of a large, public university at an affordable, regional campus rate.
Learning Environment
Before graduating from the ECEE program, students complete early-field and clinical-field placements and professional internships in classrooms and programs for children ages three through grade five. Public and private area schools and agencies partner with OHIO campuses to mentor ECEE students enrolled in methods of teaching in a variety of content areas.
Program Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
Freshmen or those wishing to enroll in the program should designate the ECEE pre-major code. Students can apply to the major after completing specific program prerequisites. After the selective admissions process, successful students will be accepted into the ECEE program major.
Requirements for Selective Admissions
- Admission to Teacher Candidacy:
- Earn at least 30 hours and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Complete EDTE 1000 and ECEE 1600 with a "C" or better grade in each.
- Complete ENG 1510 with a "C" or better grade.
- Complete HIST 2010, HIST 2000, or POLS 1010 with a "C" or better grade.
- Complete one math requirement, taking MATH 1101 or Math 1102 with a "C" or better grade.
- Complete two of three science courses, a minimum of one with a lab with a "C" or better grade from the approved courses.
- Submission of test scores on one of the following assessments: Praxis Core, ACT, or SAT.
- Personal Essay Statement
- Tuberculosis Test
- BCI and FBI background checks
Transfer and Current OHIO Students
Students enrolled in a different major or college at Ohio University and wishing to transfer into this major must either declare the ECEE pre-major code or apply for selective admissions if they meet the admission criteria.
Accreditation Information
The program is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and aligns with the CAEP's K-6 standards, also guided by recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Related Programs
- Middle Childhood Education
- Associate in Child Development