Early Childhood Education Frequently Asked Questions
update spring 2016
1. I am an undergraduate. Who do I talk to about an ECED major?
If you have not been accepted into the Early Childhood Education Program the place to start is with a professional advising appointment in the Vacca Office of Student Services (VOSS) located in White Hall 304. Laura McGlothlin is the current ECED advisor for UG students. Schedule at:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/voss
2. I have a degree in a non-education major. How do I go about earning the early childhood education teaching degree?
The ECED license is for Preschool through Grade 3. Those holding other degrees can apply for the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in ECED. The next cohort will start in the summer of 2017. The program of study for that degree is a 18-month, full-time, academic and field-based program. More information about that program can be found at http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/eced/masters-arts-teaching for transcript evaluation for that program please contact:
3. I hold an ECED teaching degree already. What does the Masters of Education degree in ECED involve?
The KSU ECED M.Ed. program is for those students who hold the ECED license (or experience in early childhood education) and want to further advance their studies. Admissions for graduate study is through the graduate office: http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/ogs (if you are an international student please see item 8 below). The M.Ed. program is designed around student interest area and is a minimum of 32 graduate credit hours. ECED 60152 is required of all students, 12 credit hours beginning with ECED are required as well as an individual exit project or internship.
Concentrations:
In 2016, three concentrations in Early childhood education have been authorized and approved, including 1) Globalization and Intercultural Competence; 2) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) and 3) Early Childhood Leadership: Advocacy, Curriculum, and Policy. Concentrations can be embedded within the M.Ed. or taken as stand alone classes. For information about concentrations or off campus cohort opportunities in your area, please email graduate coordinator:
4. Am I able to embed endorsements in my M.Ed. program?
Yes, if you currently hold the ECED B.S.E you can add endorsement while earning your masters degree. Two of the most commonly added endorsements are the ECED Generalist (grades 4-5) endorsement or the Reading endorsement.
The ECED Generalist (grades 4-5) Endorsement information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/eced/generalist-endorsement-grades-4-5
The Reading Endorsement information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/le/reading-endorsement
5. I hold a teaching license but would add ECED as a second license to my current license. How do I do this?
The second license program is designed around your current coursework (i.e. transcript review & professional review). Students must have an advising appointment to determine courses and field experiences to earn the ECED prek-3 license. The second license program of study can be found:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/eced/licenses-endorsements
6. I would like to add a kindergarten endorsement to my ECED license. How do I do that?
There is no longer a kindergarten only endorsement that can be added to the license in the state of Ohio. You would need to add elements of the ECED prek-3 (which includes what you need for age 3 through kindergarten) in concert with courses or licenses you’ve already taken. A transcript review is necessary. Please contact
Preschool Endorsement & Second License information:
http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/eced/licenses-endorsements
7. I hold an ECED teaching degree. Can I earn my masters in Curriculum and Instruction or perhaps Special Education?
Yes, admission would still be through the Graduate School http://www.kent.edu/ehhs/ogs
8. I am an international student and interested in earning an ECED degree at Kent State University.
The first office that you need to contact is the International Students office at KSU. They canadvise with admissions, transcript review, visa information, employment stipulations, language assessments and more: https://www.kent.edu/globaleducation/graduate-program-english-requirement
During your initial application process, language assessments items as the TOEFL (550, & 80), IELTS (6.5), etc. are required. Minimum score requirements are expected for admissions. The early childhood program abides by all minimum assessment scores on all measures, thus it is not within the coordinator’s power to admit students with insufficient scores.
9. I am interested in earning a doctorate in early childhood does KSU have that?
Yes. A doctorate with a focus in early childhood can be earned but the doctoral programs at KSU are housed within Curriculum & Instruction –after application and acceptance status advising and course selection is created in concert with an early childhood advisor. More information can be found at:
https://www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs/eced/majors-degrees