Pre-Early Childhood Education

  What is Pre-Early Childhood Education?

Pre-early childhood education is an associate degree program designed to provide the first two years of course work leading toward a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education. Students may then transfer to a baccalaureate program at the University of Cincinnati College of Education to complete their bachelor's degree.

The pre-early childhood education program is specifically for students who wish to become certified as schoolteachers for children in primary grades (K-3).

In the pre-early childhood education transfer program, Raymond Walters College (RWC) provides a sound general academic background along with foundation courses in education. With this program, a student will have the foundation to transfer into a bachelor's program in early education or special education.

  Success Factors

Successful students in this program typically have a desire to work with small children, are people-oriented, possess good organizational skills, are reliable, punctual and of a high moral character. Teachers are among the most important contributors to future generations of learners and to society.

  Career Possibilities

Employment opportunities for certified early childhood teachers can be found in both public and private schools for primary grades (K-3).

The overall outlook for schoolteachers indicates a competitive market. Careers in early childhood education are on the rise due to recent population growth in the United States.

Successful completion of the program prepares students to continue their studies to obtain a bachelor's degree in education or to work in preschools, Head Start, child-care centers, related programs for children and families and as teacher's aides in public schools.

  Majoring in Pre-Early Childhood Education

The pre-early childhood program takes approximately two years to complete when a student attends full time. Meeting with an advisor can help assure that a student fulfills the requirements in a timely manner.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Year 1
Course Name	Credits
English Composition 1	3
English Composition 2	3
Mathematics (college-level courses)	9
Historical Perspectives (BoK) electives	9
Introduction to Psychology 1 or Introduction to Sociology 1	3
Social Science (BoK) elective	3
Humanities (BoK) elective	3
Schooling and Teaching in American Society plus Professional Development	4
Service Learning (corequisite of Teaching and Schooling)	3
Technology for Educators	4
History of Art or Music	3
Total	47

 

Year 2
Course Name	Credits
Intermediate English	3
Literature electives	3
Introduction to Exceptionalities, plus Practicum	4
Mathematics (college-level course)	3
Natural Science (BoK)	13-15
Human Development 1: Child	3
Human Development 2: Adolescence	3
Educational Psychology	4
Social Inequalities and Schooling	3
Electives	6
Total	45-47

 

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

This degree is the gateway to both the early childhood and special education bachelor degrees at UC.

Successful completion of this program will prepare you to transfer into the junior year at other four-year colleges or universities. Your program adviser will guide your course work in order for you to transfer directly to the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services or another four-year institution.

A solid foundation to build upon is important to achieving success in these fields. RWC’s small classes and well-qualified, dedicated faculty will help you get a good start on your education and provide a firm basis for future learning.

Raymond Walters College is conveniently located in suburban Blue Ash and is accessible from I-75, I-71, I-275 and the Ronald Reagan (Cross-County) Highway.

  Special Programs

In the education programs available at Raymond Walters College, students have the opportunity to observe in the schools at an early point in their academic career. Early exposure can be an advantage in determining the age group that a student desires to teach before progressing through a majority of a chosen program.

The pre-early childhood education program is the gateway to both the early childhood and special education bachelor degrees at UC.

  Admission Requirements

You may enroll in Raymond Walters College if you graduated from an accredited high school or preparatory school, or have a GED certificate (minimum composite score of 45). The college’s rolling admissions policy allows you to start any quarter: fall, winter, spring or summer.

High school students who are considering RWC should take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examination for use in guidance and counseling. All students entering a degree program must also take the college’s placement test prior to registering for classes. This test is given on the RWC campus.

The RWC admissions office provides an application for admission and all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college. In addition to the college admission requirements, applicants to this program must also take the RWC placement test. 

Admission to Professional Cohort

All students who plan to apply to professional cohort must attend a mandatory information session offered by CECH during the fall quarter of their sophomore year. Notification of times will be posted on the adviser's door. Typically an e-mail may also be sent to the student's Bearcat online account. Not attending a session will prevent cohort admittance.

Students must apply for admission to the professional cohort after they have completed approximately 60 quarter hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Students must also have taken the SAT or ACT with a qualifying score (see CECH admissions requirements), or have taken the Praxis I with passing scores. The application process is offered only once per year and is typically in January of a student's sophomore year (January of the calendar year the student plans to start their junior year at CECH). Professional cohort begins only in the fall quarter. Students should view professional cohort admittance requirements early in their education career so that all prerequisites and exclusionary factors are clear.

Admission to a cohort is not guaranteed. When the number of applicants exceeds the number of available openings, the better qualified candidates will be admitted.

Since these programs change in response to updates from the Ohio Board of Regents and CECH, please refer to your program adviser and the following Web site for current information: http://www.uc.edu.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

Transferring to UC Raymond Walters College
Transfer applications are individually reviewed, and acceptance is based on receipt of application materials, as well as official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student’s file is complete.

Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies. Enrollment Services shall have discretionary authority to accept credits from other institutions in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons. Application of transfer credit to the student's program is at the discretion of the appropriate program director or department chairperson.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at Raymond Walters College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.

  Graduation Requirements

Students must have completed at least 50 percent of their program requirements at Raymond Walters College. Students must earn a "C" or better in courses within their major. Students will complete at least 90 credit hours as listed in their specific program.  

  Application Deadlines

You may enroll in Raymond Walters College if you graduated from an accredited high school or preparatory school, or have a GED certificate (minimum composite score of 45). The college's rolling admissions policy allows you to start any quarter: fall, winter, spring or summer.

High school students who are considering RWC should take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examination for use in guidance and counseling. All students entering a degree program must also take the college's placement test prior to registering for classes. This test is given on the RWC campus.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.