Program Overview

Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 years) Endorsement Preparation - Non-Degree

About This Program

The Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 Years) Endorsement Preparation program is designed for educators who want to specialize in early childhood education and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to teach young children effectively. You will learn about child development, curriculum design, and instructional strategies specific to this age group.

Contact Information

• Elizabeth Kenyon | |
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

• Education teachers, postsecondary
  • 4.8% about as fast as the average
  • 77,300 number of jobs
  • $65,440 potential earnings
• Elementary school teachers, except special education
  • 3.5% about as fast as the average
  • 1,452,100 number of jobs
  • $60,940 potential earnings
• Kindergarten teachers, except special education
  • 3.7% about as fast as the average
  • 127,700 number of jobs
  • $57,860 potential earnings
• 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

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Evidence of a valid Resident Educator or Professional Kindergarten-Primary, Elementary, Family and Consumer Sciences or a valid State of Ohio Special Certificate for the Education of the Handicapped

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Endorsement Requirements

• Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
  • Licensure Requirements (min C grade in all courses)
    • ECED 60103 | SOCIAL STUDIES AND THE ARTS IN PRESCHOOL | 3
    • ECED 60113 | PRESCHOOL EDUCATION | 3
    • ECED 60151 | SOCIOMORAL ENVIRONMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION | 3
    • ECED 67392 | PRACTICUM AND INTERNSHIP IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 1 | 1-10
  • Program Elective, choose from the following: | 3
    • CI 60169 | UNDERSTANDING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES
    • CI 60171 | TEACHING EMERGENT BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS
    • ECED 50302 | TEACHING PHONICS AND WORD STUDY
    • ECED 60152 | APPLICATION OF SELECTED THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN
  • Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 13

Progression Requirements

• Must maintain a minimum 3.000 overall GPA

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum C grade is required in each course for endorsement.
• The preschool internship may be completed during the summer session.

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching endorsement are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for an endorsement from the Ohio Department of Education. Students should consult the Early Childhood Education program for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to endorsement.

Students who do not apply for endorsement within 12 months of program completion may be subject to additional course requirement, based on standards in force at the time of application.

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

1. Apply early childhood learning standards, including
2. knowing and understanding characteristics of young children
3. creating safe and appropriate environments for learning
4. working with diverse families
5. performing appropriate assessments
6. understanding and applying ethical principles within the profession

Residence Requirement Policy for Non-Degree Teacher Education Licensure/Endorsement Preparation Programs

• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are a total of 15 credits or above: Students must complete 60% of the coursework at Kent State University, including the course that addresses the CAEP A.1.1 Standard as designated by the program area.
• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are less than 15 total credits: Students must complete 100% of the coursework at Kent State University.
• Students are permitted 6 years to complete licensure programs and 4 years to complete endorsement programs at Kent State University.
• Coursework transferred from another university cannot be more than 6 years old at the time the licensure/endorsement program is completed.
• Students who do not meet the residence requirements will not be recommended for licensure by Kent State University.

Full Description

The Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 years) Endorsement Preparation non-degree program is designed for teaching learners ages three through five and is limited to those with a Resident Educator or Professional Kindergarten-Primary, Elementary, Family and Consumer Sciences or a valid State of Ohio special certificate for the education of the handicapped.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree. Students interested in a master's degree at Kent State must be fully admitted into and complete the requirements for the master's program, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for licensure.

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.