About the Program
The early childhood major is offered jointly by the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Services. Students interested in the early childhood major should enter Ohio University with a pre-major code of ND6854 or ND6355 (Early Childhood Pre-major). Students must meet the criteria for selective admission to and retention in teacher education in early childhood. Enrollment in the program is limited to promote quality instruction, appropriate field placement, and effective advising. Not all students who apply and meet the minimum criteria will be accepted. (For info on selective admissions, click on form on right side of this page.)
This program meets the requirements for teaching children. In addition, the program ensures that students' excellent experiences and abilities to teach childrenfrom birth to 8 years old by providing classes of infants, and toddlers. It prepares you to teach in nursery schools, child-care centers, Head Start programs, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and the primary grades (1-3).
Teachers of young children need a broad education, so the early childhood education curriculum includes a variety of coursework in science, math, social science, and the arts, as well as courses in child and family development and in the early childhood, kindergarten, and primary curriculum. Many courses include practical experience in preprimary and primary classrooms, and the program includes both a preprimary experience in the Child Development Center or other area preschool program and a primary teaching experience in a public school.
The School of Human and Consumer Sciences collaborates with the College of Education to produce a well-rounded program in Early Childhood. Students take classes from both colleges in this program.
Program Contact
Dr. Gene Geist
geist@ohio.edu
740.593.2882
Clinical Experience
Early Childhood majors are required to complete clinical experiences as a part of the program of study. Clinicals or field experiences partnered with courses provide students opportunities to observe, implement and evaluate teaching principles, strategies and techniques in early childhood classrooms. The School of Human and Consumer Sciences offers the following clinical courses:
HCCF 260L Clinical: Diversity in Early Childhood
HCCF 361L Clinical: Guidance and Classroom Manage ment
HCCF 363L Clinical: Creative Experiences
HCCF 455L Clinical: Curriculum and Teaching Strategies
HCCF 474 Preprimary Student Teaching
Documents
The State of Ohio licensing laws require that all students who are scheduled regularly for work or practica in early childhood settings (birth through five years of age) have certain documentation, as listed below, on file in the center's office.
On the right side of this page are links to downloadable PDF forms you will need to complete. Below are brief instructions about each form. Please note, the forms will not be delivered to the school electronically when you have finished! You must print them and deliver them in person or by mail.
Medical Statement
(Completed no more than 12 months prior)
The medical statement ca n be completed and signed by your family physician or completed at Hudson Health Center. If it is done at Hudson, you will need a copy of your immunization record before a physical can be done. Additional information is included on the medical statement.
Statement of Nonconviction
The upper half of the Statement of Nonconviction needs to be completed by the student. It states that you have not been convicted of or pled guilty to any of the items listed in Section 5104.09 Prohibitions Against Employment. The administrator of the center will sign the Criminal Records Check Request once she/he has been given proof that fingerprints have been done or has received the BCII report.
Fingerprint / Background Check by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII)
All Civilian Criminal Background Checks must be done using "Webcheck", an electronic program for processing fingerprints. You must have completed both the Ohio Civilian Background Check and the National/FBI Civilian Background Check within the past 12 months. The Ohio University Police Department or local law enforcement authorities can provide this service for a fee. The fee will vary by site and is the responsibility of the student. You must take your driver's license with you. If you do not have a driver's license, you will need a state-issued State Identification Card with a photograph. A temporary driving permit can also be used.
To find an agency that uses Webcheck go to www.ag.state.oh.us/business/fingerprint/data/index.asp
to find the Webcheck Community Listing for an agency near you.
The officer completing your background check will need to know the following information.
OCA/Agency # 1AB002
Ohio Revised Code ORC 3319.29
If the results are sent to you, you are then responsible for bringing/sending copies of the reports to Anne Oberlin for verification of state and national clearance. You may also choose to have the results of the background record checks sent to:
Anne Oberlin
Grover W324
Ohio University
Athens, Ohio 45701
If you have been fingerprinted within the past 12 months and do not have copies or access to copies of the BCI and FBI reports, you will need to complete a Request for Copy of Background Check form to have your prints rescanned. Cost for this is $8.00. The fee must be in the form of a certified check or money order made payable to: Treasurer, State of Ohio. No personal checks will be accepted. The completed rescan form and money order should be sent to the Ohio BCII. The address is on the form.
Use the form titled "Request for Copy of Background Check" only if you have lost or misplaced your current background reports.
If you have questions about fingerprinting, please contact Anne Oberlin at 593-2881 or oberlina@ohio.edu
High School Diploma copy)
You will need to provide a copy of your high school diploma. If you are unable to provide a copy of your diploma, a copy of your high school transcript with date of graduation can be submitted.
Reference Forms (3)
Thre e references from three current/former employers or other individuals (friends, instructors, etc.) who can comment on your suitability for working with young children are required. Family members or relatives may not complete these forms. References must be done on the forms provided. Be sure that your name appears on each form. Do not mail the forms to your clinical site. Turn them in with the rest of your forms on the first day of class.
Instructions for Prospective Pre-Primary Student Teachers
The following forms must be submitted:
Application for pre-primary student teaching
Copy of current DARS
On this page are links to forms you will need to complete and instructions. These forms can be printed from the Web site and entries typed in--do not handwrite information in the form. Or you can enter the information while the form is open and print it from this site.
It is advisable that each prospective student teacher photocopies his/her application and retains it in his/her personal file.
Please note, the forms will not be delivered to the school electronically when you have finished! You must print them and deliver them in person or by mail.
Application Form
Indicate correctly the quarter and calendar year. Keep in mind that Fall Quarter in the academic year 2008-2009 is in the calendar year 2008 while Winter and Spring Quarters are in the calendar year 2008.
Placement Information for Athens Campus
The Ohio University Child Development Center is the primary placement site for pre-primary student teachers. If additional sites are needed, placements will be in the Athens Commuting Area. This area includes the following counties: Athens, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton and Washington. Placements are determined in collaboration with the Early Childhood Faculty. NOTE: Personally owned transportation will be required to reach most assignments.
The State of Ohio licensing laws require that all students who are scheduled regularly for work or practica in early childhood settings (birth through five years of age) have certain documentation on file in the Site's office. Paperwork must be completed during the quarter prior to the assigned student teaching placement.
Deadline
The deadline for applications is Dec. 1 of each year for the following academic year. ALL applications for the quarters beginning in September 2008, January 2009 and March 2009 must be postmarked on or before December 1, 2007.
Regional campus applicants: Completed applications with attached DARS should be submitted to the location specified by the ECE Faculty on the regional campus.
Athens campus applicants: Completed applications with attached DARS should be submitted to
School of Human and Consumer Sciences
Grover Center W324
Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979
Eligibility
Each student should carefully check the Student Teaching Eligibility Requirements, as described in the OHIO UNIVERSITY BULLETIN.