Program Overview

Early Years Education and Care - A.A.S.

About This Program

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Years Education and Care prepares you to work in a variety of early childhood settings with a focus on using technology to enhance learning experiences. With hands-on experience and expert faculty, you'll gain the skills needed to succeed in this dynamic field.

Contact Information

• Tsunghui Tu |
• Speak with an Advisor
  • Salem Campus
  • Tuscarawas Campus
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

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

Example of Possible Careers and Salaries

• Preschool teachers, except special education
  • 2.5% slower than the average
  • 540,400 number of jobs
  • $31,930 potential earnings
• Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
  • 3.6% about as fast as the average
  • 1,395,900 number of jobs
  • $28,900 potential earnings

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.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

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

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

• CULT 29535: EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY (min C grade) - 3
• ECED 10120: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES (min C grade) - 1
• ECED 20101: UNDERSTANDING YOUNG CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT (min C grade) - 3
• ECED 30202: MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE IN THE EARLY YEARS (min C grade) - 3
• EPSY 29525: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (min C grade) - 3
• EYEC 10121: EARLY YEARS FIELD PREPARATION AND TRAININGS - 1
• EYEC 10192: PRESCHOOL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I (ELR) - 1
• EYEC 20192: PRESCHOOL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE II (ELR) - 1
• EYEC 21005: COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE OF THE YOUNG CHILD (min C grade) - 3
• EYEC 21010: INFANT AND TODDLER CURRICULUM AND SERVICES (min C grade) - 3
• EYEC 22000: PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM (min C grade) - 3
• EYEC 22130: EMERGING LITERACIES (min C grade) - 3
• EYEC 22140: PRESCHOOL SEMINAR: SUPPORTING A CULTURALLY SUSTAINING PEDAGOGY (ELR) (min C grade) - 2
• EYEC 22192: PRESCHOOL STUDENT TEACHING (ELR) (min C grade) - 2
• SPED 23000: INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) (min C grade) - 3
• Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
  • COMM 15000: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) - 3
  • MATH 14001: BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS I (KMCR) - 4
  • MATH 14002: BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS II (KMCR) - 4
  • UC 10001: FLASHES 101 - 1
  • Kent Core Composition - 6
  • Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts - 3
  • Kent Core Social Sciences - 3
  • Kent Core Basic Sciences - 3
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 62

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

• Minimum Major GPA: 2.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.000

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Semester One:
  • CULT 29535: EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY - 3
  • ECED 10120: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES - 1
  • EYEC 10121: EARLY YEARS FIELD PREPARATION AND TRAININGS - 1
  • MATH 14001: BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS I (KMCR) - 4
  • UC 10001: FLASHES 101 - 1
  • Kent Core Requirement - 3
  • Kent Core Requirement - 3
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Semester Two:
  • COMM 15000: INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) - 3
  • ECED 20101: UNDERSTANDING YOUNG CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT - 3
  • EPSY 29525: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY - 3
  • EYEC 10192: PRESCHOOL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE I (ELR) - 1
  • EYEC 21010: INFANT AND TODDLER CURRICULUM AND SERVICES - 3
  • MATH 14002: BASIC MATHEMATICAL CONCEPTS II (KMCR) - 4
  • Total Credit Hours: 17
• Semester Three:
  • EYEC 20192: PRESCHOOL CLINICAL EXPERIENCE II (ELR) - 1
  • EYEC 21005: COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE OF THE YOUNG CHILD - 3
  • EYEC 22000: PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM - 3
  • EYEC 22130: EMERGING LITERACIES - 3
  • SPED 23000: INTRODUCTION TO EXCEPTIONALITIES (DIVD) - 3
  • Kent Core Requirement - 3
  • Total Credit Hours: 16
• Semester Four:
  • ECED 30202: MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE IN THE EARLY YEARS - 3
  • EYEC 22140: PRESCHOOL SEMINAR: SUPPORTING A CULTURALLY SUSTAINING PEDAGOGY (ELR) - 2
  • EYEC 22192: PRESCHOOL STUDENT TEACHING (ELR) - 2
  • Kent Core Requirement - 3
  • Kent Core Requirement - 3
  • Total Credit Hours: 13
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 62

University Requirements

All students in an applied or technical associate degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

• Flashes 101 (UC 10001) - 1
• Course is not required for students with 30+ transfer credits (excluding College Credit Plus) or age 21+ at time of admission.
• Kent Core (see table below) - 15
• Total Credit Hour Requirement - 60
• Some associate degrees require students to complete more than 60 credit hours.

Kent Core Requirements

• Kent Core Composition (KCMP) - 3
• Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning (KMCR) - 3
• Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (KHUM/KFA) - 3
• Kent Core Social Sciences (KSS) - 3
• Kent Core Basic Sciences (KBS/KLAB) - 3
• Total Credit Hours: 15

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.

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 B.S.E. degree in Early Childhood Education, 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.