College of Education Health and Human Services
School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies
www.kent.edu/ehhs/tlcs

About This Program

The Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 Years) Endorsement Preparation program is designed for educators who want to specialize in early childhood education and gain the necessary skills and knowledge to teach young children effectively. You will learn about child development, curriculum design, and instructional strategies specific to this age group. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinator: Julia Stoll | jastoll@kent.edu | 330-672-0992
• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Official transcript(s)
• Minimum 2.750 GPA
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Questions in Anticipation of Licensure Form
• Evidence of valid elementary certificate, special certificate for education of the handicapped or early childhood or intervention specialist license from the State of Ohio.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Endorsement Requirements

¹

Students must have an advising appointment with the graduate program coordinator to review former licenses, teaching experiences, employment, as well as field experiences, to determine the necessary courses and field experiences to compliment the student's existing valid license(s). All coursework for the license must be current. Minimum credit hours will be completed after the advising session to determine which part of the Pre-K profession is most beneficial for additional licensing. Additionally, a program of study must be filed in the Office of Graduate Student Services, 418 White Hall, prior to application for the licensure.

²

For candidates employed full time in a teaching capacity, an individualized plan for completing the internship will be developed with the faculty advisor. This may include observations, partnering with a preschool teacher, and development of a portfolio to demonstrate competency for teaching in the preschool years.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum C grade is required in each course for endorsement.
• The preschool internship may be completed during the summer I session.

Licensure Information

Prior to program completion, the candidate must demonstrate proficiencies in the following areas (including but not limited to): data literacy and analysis; use of research and assessment data; leadership and collaboration; utilizing and supporting appropriate technology for the discipline; and application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.

Candidates seeking Ohio teaching endorsement are required to pass specific requirements in order to apply for an endorsement from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Students should consult the Early Childhood Education program for specific program requirements and refer to the Ohio Department of Education - Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to endorsement.

Students who do not apply for endorsement within 12 months of program completion may be subject to additional course requirement, based on standards in force at the time of application.

Residence Requirement Policy for Non-Degree Teacher Education Licensure/Endorsement Preparation Programs

• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs  that are a total of 15 credits or above: Students must complete 60% of the coursework at Kent State University, including the course that addresses the CAEP A.1.1 Standard as designated by the program area.
• Non-degree licensure (initial and additional) and endorsement programs that are less than 15 total credits: Students must complete 100% of the coursework at Kent State University.
• Students are permitted 6 years to complete licensure  programs and  4 years to complete endorsement programs at Kent State University.
• Coursework transferred from another university cannot be more than 6 years old at the time the licensure/endorsement program is completed.
• Students who do not meet the residence requirements will not be recommended for licensure by Kent State University.

Program Learning Outcomes

Completers of this program will be able to:

1. Apply PreK-5 learning standards to classroom experiences with students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate standards in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies related to learning environments.
3. Assess student learning and demonstrate effective home, school and community partnerships through assessment sharing.

Full Description

The Early Childhood Education Pre-Kindergarten (3-5 years) Endorsement Preparation non-degree program is designed for teaching learners ages three through five and is limited to those holding an elementary certificate, special certificate for education of the handicapped or early childhood or intervention specialist license.

This program does not culminate in a master's degree, but can be embedded into an M.Ed. degree. Students interested in obtaining a teaching endorsement and a master's degree from Kent State University must also be fully admitted to a master's degree and complete the prescribed coursework on the master's degree prospectus, in addition to courses that are prescribed here for endorsement.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.