Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science

Curriculum Code #5159

Effective May 2023

Division of Social Sciences and Human Services

An early childhood education graduate could expect to find career opportunities in the following environments: pre-kindergarten program, Head Start, parent cooperative, public or private nursery school, exceptional child programs, in-home child care aide, and service agencies/referral program. Lorain County Community College has articulation agreements with colleges and universities including programs offered by Lorain County Community College’s University Partnership.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ECED 111 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3
ECED 164 CHILD GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 1 3
ECED 171 HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUTRITION 1 2
ENGL 161 COLLEGE COMPOSITION I 3
PSYH 151 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 3
SDEV 101 INTRODUCTION TO THE LCCC COMMUNITY 2 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ECED 162 EMERGING LITERACY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 3 3
ECED 253 INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT 3 3
EDCT 181 INTRODUCTION TO THE EDUCATION PROFESSION 3
ENGL 162 COLLEGE COMPOSITION II 3 3
HLED 154 CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION CPR 1
MTHM 163 MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I 4
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
ECED 256 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 3 4
ECED 273 FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES 3
ECED 283 ECED STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR I 3 3
EDCT 254 INDIVIDUALS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES 3
Select an Arts and Humanities elective from one of the following: 3
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO FOLKLORE
MUSIC APPRECIATION
 Hours16
Spring Semester
ECED 255 CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE YOUNG CHILD 3 4
ECED 278 INFANT AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT 3 3
ECED 285 ECED STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR II 3 4
EDCT 252 PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING & LEARNING 3 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours62
1

Indicates that this course has a prerequisite or may be taken concurrently.

2

A student must register for the orientation course when enrolling for more than six credit hours per semester or any course that would result in an accumulation of 13 or more credit hours.

3

Indicates that this course has a prerequisite.

Program Contact(s):

Kathleen Head
440-366-7167
khead@lorainccc.edu

For information about admissions, enrollment, transfer, graduation and other general questions, please contact your advising team.

More program information can be found on our website.

Placement assessment, current physical and background check required. A grade of B or higher is required in ECED Student Teaching Seminar I and II. ECED 283 Student Teaching I and ECED Student Teaching II can only be repeated one time. To be able to take ECED 285 Student Teaching II student must have completed Student Teaching I with a grade of "B" or higher.

Requirement for ODE pre-kindergarten associate certificate includes completion of all required ECED, EDCT, and ENGL courses with at least a C in each course and an overall GPA of 2.5 in these courses and a grade of B or higher is required in ECED Student Teaching Seminar I and II.

Upon the completion of all LCCC AAS degree requirements for graduation and the satisfactory completion of all ECED pre-kindergarten associate certificate program requirements, the social sciences and human services division ECED coordinator may recommend to the ODE, Division of Teacher Education and Certification for the pre-kindergarten associate certificate.

Program Prerequisites for Early Childhood Education

Prior to entering the program, a student must have a physical completed on the current ODJFS form, signed confidentiality and liability statement, and a letter of reference, form documenting residency in the state of Ohio the past five years. (e.g. utility bill, tax form)

Students will be REQUIRED to sign a liability waiver statement and a confidentiality statement. In addition, in accordance with state law, students are REQUIRED to be fingerprinted (background check). Students previously convicted of a felony must schedule an appointment with the division dean or program coordinator prior to enrollment in the program.

After admission into the ECE program, students are REQUIRED to prepare career goals statement. This statement is an assignment in the ECED 111 course. Initial admission into the program is conditional. (Full admission requires the completion of 12 semester hours of coursework, exclusive of college preparatory, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher, including completion of ECED 111 and one ECED course with a grade of C or higher).

Pre-Kindergarten Certification (Licensure)

Graduates of the associate of applied science in teacher education (AAS) degree program may be recommended for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) pre-kindergarten associate certificate subject to the following: 

  1. Completion of all requirements of the AAS degree in early childhood education. 
  2. Completion of all required EDCT, ECED and ENGL courses with at least a C in each course and an overall grade point average of 2.5 in these courses. 
  3. A grade of B or higher is REQUIRED in ECED 283, Student Teaching Seminar I and ECED 285, Student Teaching Seminar II. 
  4. Cengage test.

Effective August 2010, all students entering the early childhood education program will have one year after graduation to apply for teacher licensure. Failure to apply within one year results in the student having to take a minimum of three credits in ECED coursework.

Upon completion of all associate of applied science in teacher education degree requirements for graduation and the satisfactory completion of all early childhood education pre-K associate certificate program requirements, the early childhood education coordinator may recommend to the ODE, Division of Teacher Education and Certification, for pre-kindergarten associate certification.

The associate degree program for those completing the transfer area of concentration will permit transfer with junior-year standing to a four-year college or university with an approved program in teacher education. Subsequent satisfactory completion of the transfer school’s requirements will lead to a bachelor’s degree and to contingent recommendation from that school for one of the State of Ohio Department of Education provisional licenses to teach in the K-12 system. Students pursuing mathematics/science licensure must take a mathematics/science course wherever elective courses are listed and seek the advice of an advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Observe a  child-centered environment that focuses on intentional teaching and reflects on the whole child. (N.A.E.Y.C. 1)

2. Recognize historical perspectives and implement developmental theories of education that impact a child's development. (N.A.E.Y.C. 1)

3. Design curriculum and assessments that are developmentally responsive to the diverse needs of children. (N.A.E.Y.C. 1.,3, 4, 5)

4. Engage with children, families, colleagues and the community ethically and professionally in learning environments and meaningful activities. (N.A.E.Y.C. 2., 6)

Accelerated Pathway

The Accelerated Pathway for the Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science is a helpful guide for students who desire the convenience of an extensive selection of online course offerings and who seek to complete their degree within as little as 15 months.  Students are encouraged to enroll in 8 or 10 week sessions to maximize accelerated options. Please meet with an advisor to ensure the courses in this pathway align with your educational goals.  

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
Full Semester
ECED 111 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3
ECED 164 CHILD GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 1 3
ECED 253 INTRODUCTION TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT 3,4 3
8A Session
ENGL 161 COLLEGE COMPOSITION I 4 3
SDEV 101 INTRODUCTION TO THE LCCC COMMUNITY 2,4 1
ECED 171 HEALTH, SAFETY AND NUTRITION 1,4 2
8B Session
PSYH 151 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY 4 3
 Hours18
Spring Semester
Full Semester
ECED 162 EMERGING LITERACY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 3,4 3
ECED 255 CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE YOUNG CHILD 3 4
HLED 154 CARDIO-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION CPR 1
MTHM 163 MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS I 4
8A Session
ECED 273 FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES 3
8B Session
EDCT 181 INTRODUCTION TO THE EDUCATION PROFESSION 3
 Hours18
Summer Semester
ECED 278 INFANT AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT 3 3
ECED 283 ECED STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR I 3 3
EDCT 254 INDIVIDUALS WITH EXCEPTIONALITIES 4 3
ENGL 162 COLLEGE COMPOSITION II 3,4 3
 Hours12
Second Year
Fall Semester
ECED 256 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 3 4
ECED 285 ECED STUDENT TEACHING SEMINAR II 3 4
EDCT 252 PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING & LEARNING 3 3
Select one of the following: 3
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO FOLKLORE
MUSIC APPRECIATION
 Hours14
 Total Hours62
1

Indicates that this course has a prerequisite or may be taken concurrently.

2

A student must register for the orientation course when enrolling for more than six credit hours per semester or any course that would result in an accumulation of 13 or more credit hours.

3

Indicates that this course requires a prerequisite.

4

This course is offered online.