Contact Us
Sandra Pech | Associate Professor | Early Childhood Education
Phone: 330-308-7430
Email: spech@kent.edu
Sandra Pech | Associate Professor | Early Childhood Education
Phone: 330-308-7430
Email: spech@kent.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Early Childhood Education focuses on professional preparation and application of current theory, methods and practices for future teachers of preschool to grade five classrooms.
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (BSE ECED) at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University at Tuscarawas is a 2 + 2 program that focuses on professional preparation of teacher candidates. Course work focuses on the application of current theory, methods, and practices for the PreK-5th grade classroom. Students pursue a program of study that involves Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ Core requirements, college requirements, and a six- semester block of early childhood education courses that are integrated with field and clinical experiences. The program includes two student teaching experiences: preschool (180 clock hours) and kindergarten/elementary (525 clock hours). In the remaining blocks, students complete approximately 500 additional field hours at the preschool, kindergarten, and primary levels.
The University’s goal is to provide educational experiences and coursework that supports the development of critically reflective teachers who value children and are interested in becoming committed professionals in the field of early childhood education. Throughout coursework and field experiences, teacher candidates engage with the knowledge and skills needed to understand child development and implement developmentally appropriate practices.
Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State Tuscarawas provides high quality teaching, advising, and mentoring to support students as they develop the needed skills to become effective educators in both school and non-school settings. Students who wish to pursue this degree must possess a commitment to valuing all children, regardless of ability or background. They must have the ability to work with diverse students and families as well as the surrounding community, providing quality educational experiences.
Admission into the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree program is selective and requires successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science in Early Years Education and Care (AAS/EYEC). However, completion of the associate degree in Early Childhood Education Technology does not guarantee admission into the last two years of the baccalaureate program. Students seeking admission to this program must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study and have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA in all previous undergraduate coursework. Because of an instituted enrollment management plan, meeting the above requirements does not automatically provide students admittance to the early childhood education major. Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based upon the number of available student spaces, students' standardized test scores (Praxis I), essay, interview, and cumulative GPA.
Students will need to discuss with their advisors during the first year of study the procedures associated with admission to advanced study and selective admission to the early childhood education program. Students transferring from another university should meet with an academic advisor at least one semester prior to transferring.
Applications are submitted in January and May with students beginning the advanced studies program the following fall semester. Once students are accepted into the advanced studies program, they will complete a four-block sequence of advanced coursework with diverse field experiences in the elementary classroom to prepare them to sit for their licensure exams. Graduates of the program who pass the State of Ohio Assessment Tests are eligible for Ohio licensure in Early Childhood, P-5, which is valid for teaching children, age three through grade five, who are typically developing, at-risk, gifted, or who have mild/moderate educational needs.
Graduates also have the opportunity to apply for an International Baccalaureate Primary-Years Program (IB-PYP) teaching certificate concurrent with the completion of the B.S.E. degree.
Those who complete the Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education at Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ State University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in early childhood education.