Early Childhood Education Technology

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.

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

*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.

Number of Program Completers

*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)

Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate

Students attending full time can complete the early childhood education technology associate degree in two years.

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.

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.

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.