Several CAEP accredited education degree programs in Ohio are specialized in early childhood for aspiring teachers in the “Heart of It All” to obtain certification for Pre-K through third grade. Developed from the Northwest Territory in 1803, Ohio is the seventh most populous and 38th best state for education according to the U.S. News. Graded “B-” overall in Education Week, Ohio has approximately 700 districts, including the top-ranked Solon City Schools, Dublin City Schools, and Beachwood City Schools. Since House Bill 49, Ohio has provided $73 million through Early Childhood Education Grants yearly to fund programs like Head Start and Preschool Promise. For example, Franklin County announced it would add five Pre-K classrooms with increased public funding in July 2016. The BLS reports that 18,310 Ohioans teach children under age seven for average salaries of $27,110 to $54,920. To see more programs in Ohio, visit Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Ohio (H-M), (M-T), and (T-Z)
Antioch University Midwest
Undergraduate Studies Division
Featuring a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, Antioch University Midwest enrolls around 900 undergrads as a private, coeducational baccalaureate teaching institution previously named for social scientist Douglas McGregor until 2010 that’s occupying 116 rural acres in Greene County within the Dayton Metro. Antioch was ranked America’s fifth best university for adults by the U.S. News and placed in the top 5 percent for education on College Factual. Reporting an average early-career salary of $42,100 to PayScale, the Undergraduate Studies Division holds two accredited education degree programs in Ohio and specialized certificates in Dyslexia or Trauma Informed Education.
BA in Early Childhood Education
Admitting cohorts each Fall until August 1st, Antioch’s BA in Early Childhood Education is chaired by Dr. Julie Biddle, a SOCHE Faculty Excellence Award winner, to teach undergrads Reggio-inspired methods for instructing children in PreK-3 classrooms. The 2+2 pathway takes four semesters for adults with two years of community college education to finish their Ohio licensure. Transfer agreements exist for the Clark State AAB, Sinclair AAS, and Southern State AAS. Reaching the 120-credit threshold involves didactic courses like whole child development and hands-on field experience. Estimated to cost $6,324 per full-time term, the completion program places students at diverse schools, such as Mills Lawn Elementary, Antioch School, Xenia Preschool, and Enon Montessori.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
900 Dayton Street
Yellow Springs, OH 45387
(937) 769-1888
admissions.aum@antioch.edu
https://www.antioch.edu/midwest/degrees-programs/undergraduate-studies/early-childhood-education-ba/
Ashland University
Dwight Schar College of Education
Grounded in Judeo-Christian values, Ashland University is a private, mid-sized Anabaptist teaching school directed by President Carlos Campo with 200 academic staff to inspire 5,700 Eagles in nearly 70 majors on its 135-acre campus in north-central Ohio’s Tree City USA. Ashland is ranked America’s 205th best research institute in Forbes, 223rd top university by the U.S. News, and 156th best value on the ETC Rankings Index. Also placed 94th nationally on Niche, the Dwight Schar College of Education has selective 77 percent admission into its CAEP accredited education degree programs in Ohio.
Early Childhood Education (PreK-Grade 3) Program
Chaired by Dr. Deanna Romano, the Early Childhood Education (PreK-Grade 3) Program is Ashland’s largest teaching major for giving undergrads over 600 clock hours of classroom experience to best understand the developmental and social needs of young children. Trained on SMART Boards, students complete blocks on preschool, multiculturalism, emergent literacy, and methods before their Spring internship. Following the Ohio Standards for Teaching Professionals, the 128-credit degree could include dual endorsement for early childhood intervention with exceptional children. Majors might also add the Grades 4-5 Endorsement, minor in Spanish, join Kappa Delta Pi, and connect with the COE living-learning community. Alums have excelled at Celebration School, Osborn Elementary, Hilltop Preschool, and others.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Schar College 250
401 College Avenue
Ashland, OH 44805
(419) 289-5799
dromano@ashland.edu
Bluffton University
Education Department
Endowed for $23.5 million, Bluffton University is a private, nonprofit Mennonite teaching institution led by President James Harder, PhD, to enlighten 1,094 Beavers with a median GPA of 3.2 upon its 234-acre Lima Metro campus near Riley Creek. Bluffton is ranked America’s 162nd best standout college on Niche, 147th top baccalaureate school in Washington Monthly, and 438th best value by The Economist. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, the Education Department confers six accredited education degree programs in Ohio and the Child Development Major with average freshman retention at 68 percent.
Major in Early Childhood Education
Presently priced at $31,222 yearly, Bluffton’s Major in Early Childhood Education is chaired by Dr. Gayle Trollinger with licensed teaching faculty to prepare undergrads for generalist and special needs endorsements for inclusive PreK-3 Ohio classrooms. Including the Red Cross Certificate for child abuse prevention, the 73-hour major spans face-to-face courses from phonics to educational psychology and diagnostic planning. At least 100 practica hours are completed before student teaching placements, including at the Chicago Center for Urban Life. Students could also travel to Taiwan, minor in Special Education, join the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society, and obtain the Mennonite Student Grant. Graduates will follow the Post-Baccalaureate Early Childhood Licensure track instead.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Centennial Hall, 3rd Floor
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817
(419) 358-3331
education@bluffton.edu
http://www.bluffton.edu/edu/early.html
Bowling Green State University
College of Education & Human Development
Affiliated with academic alums like Victor Boschini, Adena Williams Loston, and William Julius Wilson, Bowling Green State University is a public, coeducational doctoral-level research hub of the Mid-American Conference that’s endowed for $118.7 million to enroll 17,706 Falcons upon its 116-building campus outside of Toledo. BGSU is ranked America’s 106th best college location on Niche, 217th top public school in Forbes, and 215th best university by the CWUR. The College of Education & Human Development also landed 135th nationally on the U.S. News survey for over 50 accredited education degree programs in Ohio.
Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program
Conferring a Bachelor of Science in Education with two licenses, BGSU’s Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program gives undergrads general and special education credentials in Ohio for differentiating instruction in PreK-3 settings to various ability levels. Coordinated by Kimberly A. Christensen using NAEYC standards, the 120-credit bachelor’s introduces constructivist, child-centered pedagogies through courses like emergent math and literacy assessment. Mandating a minimum 22 ACT score, the competitive program integrates practica at the on-campus Reading Center and off-site schools, including nearby Crim Elementary. Other opportunities are attending the Teacher Job Fair, joining the Early Childhood Organization, studying abroad in Keele, England, claiming the Deanna Radeloff Scholarship, and volunteering for Math Camp.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Education Building 403
1416 Ridge Street
Bowling Green, OH 43403
(419) 372-7299
kchris@bgsu.edu
Capital University
Education Department
Established by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in June 1830, Capital University is endowed for $98.3 million under President Elizabeth L. Paul as a private, nonprofit research college with 159 full-time faculty, 2,765 undergrad Crusaders enrolled, and 53 acres in the Columbus suburb of Bexley. Capital is ranked America’s 151st most conservative college on Niche, 362nd top private university in Forbes, and 550th best value with 89 percent financial aid by Money Magazine. Developing supportive networks from a 12:1 student-professor ratio, the Education Department grants nine accredited education degree programs in Ohio with strong ODE praise.
Early Childhood Education Major
Boasting 95 percent job placement, Capital’s Early Childhood Education Major builds on the Lutheran liberal arts foundation to confer a B.A. for undergrads to refine the character and skills necessary for PreK-3 teacher licensure. Estimated to cost $23,800 per year, the 18-course major covers courses like reading difficulties, creative expression, integrated science, and social development. Chaired by Dr. Jennifer Faison Hodge, the 2007 Cotterman Award winner, the program lets upper-division students tutor children in the on-site Reading Center. Student teaching placements span the Columbus Metro, including The Barrington School, Mountview Christian School, and Prairie Norton Elementary. Majors might also join the Intercultural Student Teacher Program for global experience from Beijing to Brussels.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Ruff Learning Center 234
1 College and Main
Columbus, OH 43209
(614) 236-6569
jhodge@capital.edu
http://www.capital.edu/Education/
Cedarville University
School of Education
Merged with the Baptist Bible Institute in 1953, Cedarville University is a private, independent Christian CIC member devoted to the “Covenant of Christ” for educating 3,760 Yellow Jackets with a $16.1 million endowment overseen by President Thomas White upon its 441-acre Dayton Metro campus. Cedarville is ranked America’s 70th best religious studies college on Niche, 108th top liberal arts university in Forbes, and 22nd best baccalaureate school by Washington Monthly. The School of Education maintains 11 accredited education degree programs in Ohio with full-time block tuition of $14,478 and 13:1 student-faculty ratios.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Reporting a 99 percent OAE pass rate, Cedarville’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is a biblical-based, teacher licensure program chaired by Dr. Jeremy Ervin that’s paving the pathway for undergrads to teach PreK-3 classes in Christian or public schools. Offering the optional ACSI Certificate and Grades 4-5 Endorsement, the 129-credit bachelor’s includes courses from developmental disabilities to art education and reading intervention. The School of Education partners with the Xenia City School District for arranging over 600 teaching hours before graduation. Students could also pledge Chi Delta Epsilon, join Education Club, spend 16 weeks overseas in Spain, dual major in Special Education, enter the Honors Program, and participate in HeartSong Ministries.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Williams Hall 107
251 North Main Street
Cedarville, OH 45314
(937) 766-7780
jervin@cedarville.edu
https://www.cedarville.edu/Academic-Programs/Early-Childhood-Education.aspx
Cleveland State University
College of Education and Human Services
Occupying a 40-building urban campus in Forbes’ 105th best city for education, Cleveland State University is a public, state-sponsored RU/H research institution developed from Fenn College in 1923 that’s now educating 12,443 undergrad Vikings with its $66.2 million endowment under President Ronald Berkman. CSU-Ohio is ranked America’s 220th top public college on Niche, 501st best university by Times Higher Education, and 253rd best school in Washington Monthly. The College of Education and Human Services also landed 166th nationally in the U.S. News survey with 10 accredited education degree programs in Ohio for teachers.
Early Childhood Education (B.S. in Ed.)
Chaired by Tachelle Banks, PhD, Cleveland State’s Early Childhood Education (B.S. in Ed.) program transforms bachelor’s students into licensed Ohio teachers with the pedagogical mastery to create developmentally appropriate lessons for youth under age eight. Emphasizing child-initiated learning, the curriculum ranges from 133 to 146 credits with NAEYC-based courses like phonics assessment and psychological foundations of education. Before Praxis II exams, undergrads build their ePortfolio with four half-days of practica weekly and capstone student-teaching placements, such as Bolton Elementary or Parma Preschool. Majors can also supplement the TESOL Certificate, teach at the Community Learning Center, review Connections Magazine, join WeTeach Club, and pursue the Grade 4-5 Endorsement.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Julka Hall 210
2121 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 687-4600
adminte@csuohio.edu
https://www.csuohio.edu/cehs/te/early-childhood-education
Defiance College
Department of Business, Education, and Social Work
Operated by the United Church of Christ, Defiance College is endowed for $14.1 million as a private, nonprofit Christian CIC member of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll that’s enlightening 900 undergrad Yellow Jackets on its 200-acre residential campus east of Fort Wayne. Defiance is ranked America’s 47th best bachelor’s school in Washington Monthly, the Midwest’s 35th top university by the USNWR, and Ohio’s 22nd most liberal college on Niche. The Department of Business, Education, and Social Work houses seven accredited education degree programs in Ohio currently charging $31,480 per year.
Early Childhood Education Major
Taught by PhD-level professors from Ohio State, Western Michigan, SIU-Carbondale, Toledo, and UT-Knoxville at an 11:1 ratio, Defiance’s Early Childhood Education Major confers a baccalaureate for undergrads gathering the know-how and characteristics to nurture youngsters. Accredited by the CAEP in 2015, the 120-credit degree trains teachers for coordinating reading, writing, math, science, and social studies lessons for PreK-3. After 100 practica hours during their first three years, seniors tackle 15-week internships at partners like Noble Elementary. Majors might also engage with the McMaster School for Advancing Humanity, add the Hench Autism Studies Minor, join Project 701, attend the Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, and continue into the Master of Arts in Education.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Defiance Hall 104A
701 North Clinton Street
Defiance, OH 43512
(419) 783-2571
chiggins@defiance.edu
http://www.defiance.edu/academics/bes/education/early-childhood.html
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Education Department
Renowned for its Priestly Discernment Program, Franciscan University of Steubenville is a four-year private, Catholic teaching college dedicated to “Fortitude and Prudence” when instructing 2,716 Barons upon its 249-acre Jefferson County campus led by President Sean Sheridan, TOR, with a $55.1 million endowment. Franciscan is ranked America’s 55th best religious studies school on Niche, 244th top private university by Forbes, and 58th best private value in Kiplinger’s. The Education Department presently prices full-time tuition at $25,970 yearly for its four accredited education degree programs in Ohio with 79 percent acceptance.
Early Childhood Education (BS)
Adhering to Pope Paul II’s Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the Franciscan Early Childhood Education (BS) is a faith-focused teacher licensure option giving undergrads the forward-looking training to realize their vocations in PreK-3 classrooms. Chaired by Dr. Mary Kathryn McVey of the Noble Local School District, the four-year bachelor’s integrates important courses like teaching language arts and childhood health with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Majors gain firsthand experience promoting children’s body, mind, and spirit with nearly 200 service hours before student teaching. Assignments may include St. Anthony’s Head Start, Wintersville Elementary, and Wells Academy. Undergrads can also teach in Austria, join the Chiron Society, and benefit from the Weirton Christian Center Collaboration.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
1235 University Blvd.
Steubenville, OH 43952
(740) 284-5293
mmcvey@franciscan.edu
https://www.franciscan.edu/Education/
Modest teacher salaries can make it difficult to afford the average yearly tuition of $6,192 in-state and $18,093 out-of-state at Ohio colleges. However, your investment can pay off since O’Net predicts preschool teachers will see 6 percent job growth and 4 percent wage increases by 2024. Degrees open doors for teacher licensure to find better-paying jobs than preschool assistant, nanny, and daycare worker. The Buckeye State also has funding like the TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship and OCTM Memorial Scholarship to lower costs. Keep searching through the accredited education degree programs in Ohio to realize your instructional potential.
Related Resource: 20 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education 2018
