Early Care Education

What is early care education?

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Care and Child Development (ECCD) prepares you for personal growth and career advancement in early childhood education. OSU-OKC is the only institution in Oklahoma designated by the state regents to offer a certificate specifically for licensed childcare facility administration.

Why early care education?

With this degree or certificate, you gain the skills, knowledge and competencies needed for a professional career in early care and child development. Whether you want to become an administrator, master teacher or family child care provider, you’ll meet the education requirements for the Bronze level of Oklahoma’s Director Credential. You’ll also qualify as a Master Teacher or Family Child Care Provider for two-star rated childcare centers and homes.

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Career paths

As an ECCD major, you can pursue many career paths similar to education majors, but with a strong focus on working directly with children from birth to age five in licensed Oklahoma early care facilities. You’ll also be prepared to manage daily operations of a center, working with staff, children and families.

Potential roles include:

Infant, toddler or two-year-old teacher
Teacher for children ages three to five
Assistant director, director or owner of a licensed childcare facility
Early Head Start master teacher
Head Start teacher
Public school paraprofessional (not the same as a certified teacher)
Indirect care roles such as working at the Center for Early Childhood Professional Development

800NEW PRESCHOOL TEACHING POSITIONS EACH YEAR

according to the Oklahoma Long-Term Occupational Outlook, 2020-2030

Program Highlights

Flexible Class Schedules

Courses are designed with working students in mind. You can take classes on campus in the evenings, in hands-on learning classrooms, online or in hybrid formats. Most general education courses are available online.

Transfer Opportunities

The AAS in Early Care Education provides a strong foundation for further education. You can apply your degree toward a Bachelor of Science in Family Life Education – Child Development at the University of Central Oklahoma or an online BS in Early Intervention – Child Development at Southeastern State University.

Scholarships Available

Through the Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program, qualifying students receive 90% of tuition and fees and 100% of textbook costs. This program is funded by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

For more information, contact Scholar Coordinator Jeff Rosson at jeff.rosson@okstate.edu or (405) 945-9168.

Embedded Certificates

Child Care Administration certificate

Child Development certificate

Infant/Toddler certificate

Professional Recognition

Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder (PDL)

The PDL tracks your formal education and credentials in early childhood through universities, colleges, credentialing bodies and approved training sponsors. It connects with other parts of the state’s professional development system, including the Quality Rating and Improvement System and the Scholars program. All staff in licensed Oklahoma childcare facilities must participate in the PDL.

If you graduate with an AAS in Early Care Education (Administration or Master Teacher), you meet the education requirements for Level 9 on the PDL.

If you earn a Certificate in Early Care Education, you meet the requirements for Level 6.

Oklahoma Director’s Credential (ODC)

The ODC verifies your education and experience in early childhood, school-age education and business/administration. It’s required for directors of licensed childcare centers in Oklahoma and must be renewed annually.

If you graduate with an AAS in Early Care Education, Administration option, you meet the education requirements for the Gold level.

If you earn a Certificate in Early Care Education Administration, you meet the requirements for the Silver level.

For more information, contact:

Academic Advisor
405.945.8678
okc.advisement@okstate.edu

Kim Leigh
Associate Professor, Department Head
Early Care & Child Development
Human Services Division
(405) 945-6798
kim.leigh@okstate.edu

Jeff Rosson
Scholar Coordinator, Early Care & Child Development
Human Services Division
(405) 945-9168
jeff.rosson@okstate.edu

Petra Hutchison
Associate Professor, Early Care & Child Development
Human Services Division
(405) 945-6786
petra.hutchison@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma City

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