Early Childhood Education Technology
Associate of Applied Science
Overview
Inspire the joy of learning. Build strong futures.
Early childhood educators lay a rich foundation that helps to shape a child’s future. The early years are critical for brain development, emotional intelligence and academic success. Play a role in guiding children and giving them the tools to explore, question and thrive.
At Central Ohio Technical College, our early childhood education technology program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to be a leader in this essential profession. Whether you dream of working in a preschool, leading a childcare center, or even opening your own early learning program, your journey starts here.
Why choose this path?
Early childhood education is a career with purpose. Your work in this program will help you learn the science behind child development, curriculum planning, the project approach, emergent literacy skills and classroom leadership. You’ll put your skills into practice every day as you help children build confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
Early childhood educators are in demand. Families and childcare providers need skilled teachers to provide high-quality and responsive care.
COTC provides a supportive learning community. Our faculty are dedicated educators who will help you succeed in and out of the classroom.
What career opportunities are available to graduates?
- Preschool lead and assistant teachers in private and public school settings
- Lead and assistant teachers in childcare settings
- Head Start and Early Head Start teachers
- Private and public school paraprofessionals
- Childcare center administrators
- Childcare center owners
- Home childcare owners
- Nannies
- Early Intervention service coordinator
Program information
Duration: Complete your Associate of Applied Science in two years as a full-time student or four years as a part-time student.
Field experience: Students complete up to 375 hours with infants, toddlers and preschoolers throughout their coursework.
Licensure option: Graduates who meet the licensure requirements are eligible to apply for the Ohio Department of Education Pre-Kindergarten Associate License.
Future Start Dates
Admission Requirements
This is an open enrollment program. To be admitted, you must submit a free application for admission and complete the standard steps to enroll. All students in the early childhood education program must complete an FBI and BCI background check and additional program requirements during the first semester. Students who have a conviction or prohibited offense may not qualify to work with young children.
Program Requirements
Early Childhood Education Program Requirements
You will be in direct contact with children through practicums, field experiences or observation assignments. COTC is committed to providing a safe environment for children and families who may work directly with students from the program. You must submit the program requirements by the end of the first semester to continue in the early childhood education program, with the exception of the BCI/FBI background checks (due the fifth day of the semester).
Early Childhood Education Application Packet
- An official copy of high school diploma, an official current or final high school transcript indicating date of graduation (if applicable), a copy of GED certification, or verification of completion of high school
- Three completed reference forms from a nonrelative who can address your character in working with families and children (must be submitted on the reference forms provided in the application packet)
- A completed Employee Medical Statement (physical form)
- Physical must be current within the past year and submitted on the form provided in the application packet
- A signed Statement of Non-conviction (provided in the application packet) attesting that you have not been convicted of or plead guilty to any of the listed prohibited offenses
- Note: Applicants who have a prior felony conviction are prohibited from admission into the early childhood education program
- A signed confidentiality statement
- A clear BCI and FBI criminal background check completed within six months prior to the start of the semester (available through the Department of Public Safety)
- Background checks must be received by the fifth day of the semester.
Credit for What You Know
COTC recognizes that college-level learning can happen outside of a college classroom. We value your life experience by turning it into college credit that can be applied toward a certificate or degree.
If you have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, you may be eligible to receive college credit.
Plan of Study
Associate Degree
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Technology
All courses require a “C” (2.00) grade or better to progress and graduate from this program.
Total hours required: 62
| Autumn Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Introduction to Education* |
3 |
|
|
Observation and Assessment Practices (Second Term Course)* |
2 |
|
|
Trauma Informed Care in ECE (1st term) |
1 |
|
|
Fundamentals of Reading & Writing |
2 |
|
|
Family, School and Community |
3 |
|
|
Composition I* |
3 |
|
|
Introduction to Statistics or College Algebra or Quantitative Reasoning* |
3 |
|
|
Total |
17 |
|
| Spring Semester | ||
|
Child Development |
3 |
|
|
Guidance & Group Management (First Term Course)* |
3 |
|
|
Integrated Curriculum (First Term Course)* |
3 |
|
|
Children’s Literature (Second Term Course)* |
2 |
|
|
Engaging Children in Projects (Second Term Course)* |
2 |
|
|
Infant and Toddler Practicum* |
2 |
|
|
Small Group Communication |
3 |
|
|
Total |
18 |
|
| Autumn Semester | ||
|
Health and Safety in ECE |
3 |
|
|
Educational Psychology |
3 |
|
|
Math & Science for ECE (First Term Course with Practicum Hours)* |
2 |
|
|
Creative Arts Across the Curriculum (Second Term Course with Practicum Hours)* |
2 |
|
|
ECE Field Experience* |
2 |
|
|
Introduction to Ethics* |
3 |
|
|
Total |
15 |
|
| Spring Semester | ||
|
Issues in Education (First Term Course)* |
1 |
|
|
Professionalism in ECE (Second Term Course)* |
1 |
|
|
Exceptional Individuals* |
3 |
|
|
Administration in ECE Programs* |
2 |
|
|
|
Technical Elective* |
3 |
|
Human Nutrition |
2 |
|
|
Total |
12 |
|
|
Technical Elective |
||
| NOTE: ECE-290 weekly contact hours will be 14. ECE-290 is required for ODE Pre-Kindergarten Associate Licensure Application Process. | ||
|
Special Topics in ECE |
3 |
|
|
Student Teaching Field Experience* |
3 |
|
*Course may have prerequisites. Please check the course description to view all prerequisites and requirements.
The college reserves the right to change curricula without notice.
Published: February 2025
The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education Technology degree pathway prepares graduates to work in careers with young children and does not lead to a licensure opportunity teaching as a lead teacher in elementary, middle or high school classrooms. Students interested in teaching and education careers outside of early childhood education should consider the Associate of Arts with a concentration in Education transfer pathway.
Program Accreditation
Earn a degree that sets you apart in the field of ECE.
The AAS in Early Childhood Education Technology Program at COTC is proudly accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The current accreditation term runs from July 2024 through December 2026.
What are the benefits of attending a program accredited by NAEYC?
- NAEYC Accreditation signifies that the COTC early childhood education program meets rigorous standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications and student support.
- Employers benefit from hiring graduates of NAEYC-accredited programs because our graduates have a strong foundation in developmentally appropriate practices, child development and classroom management.
- Graduating from a NAEYC-accredited program enhances a student’s resume by showing potential employers that you received an education that meets nationally recognized standards.
- NAEYC accreditation means that the COTC early childhood education program is committed to continuous improvement, student success, and providing the best possible education for current and future early childhood educators.
- The COTC early childhood education program is one of three associate degree programs in Ohio accredited with NAEYC.
Program Outcome Data
Number of Program Completers
| Year | Program Completers | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18AU-19AU | 10 | 30% | 70% |
| 19AU-20AU | 5 | 40% | 60% |
| 20AU-21AU | 8 | 13% | 88%* |
| 21AU-22AU | 6 | 0% | 100% |
| 22AU-23AU | 6 | 17% | 83% |
*Sum of percentage exceeds 100% due to rounding
Program Completion Rate
Percentage of full-time candidates completing the program within 150% of the program’s published timeframe (two years)
| Year | Full-Time Students | Completed Program |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-2016 | 7 | 14% |
| 2016-2017 | 3 | 33% |
| 2017-2018 | 4 | 50% |
| 2018-2019 | 9 | 11% |
| 2019-2020 | 2 | 100% |
Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate
| Year | Part-Time Candidates | Full-Time Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| 18AU-19AU | 33% | 80% |
| 19AU-20AU | 50% | 40% |
| 20AU-21AU | 50% | 0% |
| 21AU-22AU | 0% | 33% |
| 22AU-23AU | 67% | 40% |
Transfer Options
Students interested in continuing on to pursue a bachelor’s degree can consider transferring to a four-year college or university. COTC has several transfer agreements with four-year colleges:
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I complete the early childhood education technology associate degree?
Students attending full time can complete the early childhood education technology associate degree in two years.
Can I take classes online or face-to-face?
To provide flexible learning options, many classes in early childhood education can be completed either fully online or remotely with a designated day and time to meet online using Zoom.
You are required to complete in-person classroom practicum hours. The number of practicum hours depends upon what a student is trying to achieve:
- Students who wish to pursue Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Pre-kindergarten Teaching License will complete 375 practicum hours.
- Students who do not plan to pursue ODE licensure will complete 195 practicum hours.
How many field experience hours will I complete?
Students gain practical experience in the early childhood field through a series of practicum field experiences while in the COTC early childhood education program. These experiences are designed to help students apply their coursework directly to work with young children. Students complete up to 375 hours with children by the time they graduate.
There are four practicum courses in the early childhood education program:
- ECE-150 Guidance and Group Management
- ECE-285 Infant and Toddler Practicum
- ECE-289 Preschool Practicum
- ECE-290 Student Teaching (elective course)
Eligibility:
- Students are eligible for practicum work when they have completed the early childhood education application packet, created an OCCRRA profile, and met the necessary prerequisites for the practicum course they wish to take.
Practicum settings:
- Students may complete practicum work in a variety of licensed childcare and school settings, including childcare centers, private and public preschools, Head Start programs, and public schools.
- Students will work with the early childhood education program’s practicum coordinator to arrange all practicum placements.
What financial assistance is available to help me pay for college?
COTC awards more than $1 million in scholarships to students each year.
Every student is encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for grants, scholarships and loans. Students who complete the FAFSA are automatically considered for some scholarships. Other scholarships require an application.
See Paying for College for more information, or connect with the Office of Student Financial Services at 740.366.9435 or email NWK-studentfinancialservices@mail.cotc.edu.
Students currently employed in the early childhood field may be eligible to receive a scholarship through T.E.A.C.H. to help pay for your degree. For more information about this scholarship opportunity and to explore your eligibility, please visit OCCRRA.