The education a child receives during the first 5 years of his or her life is critical to their future development. The Associate of Applied Science in Child Developmentprogram at Southern will prepare you to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers in birth to age five to help lay the groundwork that will continue throughout the child’s education. The program offers courses that address knowledge and skills relevant to the preschool child such as basic child development principles, knowledge of child guidance and management, curriculum for young children and strategies of home collaboration.
The Child Development program enables you to pursue an associate degree in applied science that could lead to an Ohio pre-kindergarten associate license. The Pre-Kindergarten Associate Teaching License is obtained by earning an approved score on a state exam issued through the Ohio Assessment for Educators. After you complete your associate degree, you may continue to pursue your bachelor’s degree after fulfilling prerequisites and conditions for Selective Admission to the Early Childhood (B.S.Ed.) major.
Child Development Courses
The Associate of Applied Science in Child Development includes courses in infant/toddler mental health, diversity and awareness, teacher education and more.
Sample Child Development Courses
Child Development Requirements
Complete the following courses:
EDTE 1000 - Introduction to Teacher Education
EDEC 1600 - Introduction to Child Development
ECEE 2400 - Infant/Toddler Mental Health and Development
ECEE 2001 - Sophomore Clinical Practice
ECEE 2301 - Integrated Curriculum in Early Childhood Education
ECEE 2500 - Learning to Read: Theory and Practice
ECEE 3610 - Guidance and Classroom Management
ECEE 2701 - Diversity and Awareness in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
ECEE 3801 - Play & Creativity in Early Childhood & Elementary School
EDEC 2929 - Prekindergarten Associate Practicum Seminar
EDEC 3929 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education
EDEC 2600 - Global Early Childhood Education: Programs and Practices
CFS 2710 - Individuals and Families Over the Lifespan EDSP 2710 - Introduction to Special Education
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Potential Careers
An Associate Degree in Child Development offers opportunity for careers serving children and families in a variety of programs, agencies, and organizations. A.A.S. degree holders are eligible to be paraprofessionals in public pre-kindergarten classrooms and lead teachers in Head Start programs.
- As of May 2022, preschool teachers in Ohio earn an annual mean wage of $31,830 .
- Ohio employment demand for preschool teachers is projected to grow by 23.6% by 2030 .
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Tuition and Fees
The OHIO Guarantee takes the guesswork out of budgeting for college and provides a fixed rate table for tuition and most fees for four years (or 12 consecutive semesters).
Financial aid for undergraduate students (regardless of discipline) is available in the form of scholarships, grants and student loans. Visit our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn more.
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West Virginia and Kentucky Residents
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Learning Environment
You will complete your early-field and clinical-field placements and practicum in classrooms and programs for children ages birth through entry into kindergarten. Public and private area schools and agencies partner with OHIO Southern to mentor Child Development students enrolled in methods of teaching in a variety of content areas. During your sophomore year, you will participate in the Rural-Urban Collaborative (RUC), which is a distinctive program preparing teacher candidates across all OHIO campuses for working with students in urban areas. The 300 clock-hour practicum experience is completed during your final semester.
Program Admission Requirements
First-Year Students
Anyone who holds a high school diploma or has a GED certificate is eligible for admission to any Ohio University regional campus. Regional campuses have a rolling admissions policy which means that students may be admitted anytime during the year. Applicants will be accepted until class begins each semester. However, prospective students are advised to begin the application process as soon as possible so that they may be given important dates and deadlines in a timely manner. Freshmen applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .
Transfer and Current OHIO Students
You are a transfer applicant if you have completed nine or more semester (12 quarter) hours at another institution after you graduated from high school. If you have completed fewer than nine semester hours, you will apply as a freshman applicant. To apply as a transfer student, applicants are encouraged to complete an online application for enrollment .
Elizabeth Harvey, Associate Degree Child Development, May 2018, Bachelor Degree Early Childhood Education, December 2021
Accreditation Information
The program is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) . The program aligns to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation’s K-6 standards and is also guided by recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Related Programs
Ready for the Next Step?
Contact Us
Martha Evans
Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
740.533.4561
evansm5@ohio.edu
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* Includes scholarships, grants, loans, federal work student and CARES/HEERF funding.