Early Care Education

What is early care education?

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Care & Child Development (ECCD) degree prepares students for future personal growth and advancement in education and career development. OSU-OKC is Oklahoma’s only institution assigned by the state regents to administer a certificate specific to licensed childcare facility administration.

Why early care education?

Graduates gain skills, knowledge and competencies necessary for professional careers in early care and child development as administrators, master teachers, or family child care providers. Graduates meet the education component of the Bronze level for the Oklahoma’s Director Credential. Certificate and degree graduates meet criteria for Master Teachers / Family Child Care Provider for two-star rated childcare centers and family childcare homes.

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Program Details

Department: Early Care & Child Development

School: Human Services

Available At: OSU-OKC

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Major

Administration

Master Teacher

Career paths

There are many paths an early care & child development major can take. Many are similar to those of education majors, but with a strong focus in successfully preparing graduates as Master Teachers working directly with young children birth - 5 years of age enrolled in an Oklahoma licensed early care education facility. In addition, ECCD majors are prepared to effectively plan and implement day-to-day operations of an early care education center working with personnel, young children, and children's families. Potential jobs include:

Teacher, specializing in Infant, Toddler, Two early care and education
Teacher, specializing in three - five year old early care and education
Assistant Director, Director, Owner of an Oklahoma licensed childcare facility
Early Head Start Master Teacher
Head Start Teacher
Public School Paraprofessional (this is not the same as a certified public school teacher)
Early care education indirect care support jobs 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

Highlights

Convenient Class Schedules for Working Students

Faculty schedule classes keeping in mind the needs of students currently working in full-time positions or living outside the OKC metro area. The early care and child development courses are offered on campus in the evenings, in our state-of-the-art hands-on learning classrooms as well as online and in hybrid format. Most all of the general education classes are available online.

Transferability of Earned Degree

The ECCD program prepares students for future personal growth and advancement in education and career development. The excellent early care foundation gained from the Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Early Care Education is part of an agreement that allows the earned AAS degree to be applied directly to a Bachelor’s degree program. Students may apply the earned AAS toward a Bachelor of Science in Family Life Education – Child Development from the University of Central Oklahoma or toward an online BS in Early Intervention – Child Development from Southeastern State University.

Scholarships Available

The ECCD department is pleased to partner with the Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program funded by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services administered through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Qualifying students receive 90% of tuition/fees paid and 100% of textbooks paid through the Scholars program.

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

Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program
Director's Certificate of Mastery
Early Care & Child Development Courses
Scholarship Information

Embedded Certificates

Child Care Administration certificate

Child Development certificate

Infant/Toddler certificate

Oklahoma Human Services, office of Child Care Services Recognition

Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder

The Professional Development Ladder (PDL) reflects formal job relat4ed education and credentials gained through universities, 2-year colleges, technology centers, crede4ntialing bodies, and Registry approved training sponsors. The various levels provide milestones for child care providers and connect with other areas of the state's p4ofessional development system, such as the Quality Rating and Improvement System, and Scholars for Excellence in Child Care. All staff working in an Oklahoma Licensed child care facility must participate and meet requirements on the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder.

Students graduating with an AAS in Early Care Education, either option Administration or Master Teacher meet the educational requirements for Level 9 of the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder & Registry.
Students graduating with a Certificate in Early Care Education meet the educational requirements for Level 6 of the Oklahoma Professional Development Ladder & Registry.

Oklahoma Director's Credential

The Oklahoma Director's Credential (DOC) documents formal education in early childhood education, child development, school age education, and business/administration. It also documents experience in the child care field. The ODC verifies education, and early childhood experience to place a participant at a Bronze, Copper, Siler, Gold, or Platinum level. The ODC is a minimum requirement for Oklahoma licensed child care center directors and is renewable annually.

Students graduating with an AAS in Early Care Education, Administration option, meet the educational requirements for the GOLD level of the Oklahoma Director's Credential.
Students graduating with a Certificate in Early Care Education Administration meet the educational requirements for the SILVER level of the Oklahoma Director's Credential.

For more information, contact:

Lauren McElroy Walls
Academic Advisor
405-945-6785
lauren.mcelroy_walls@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