Why study Early Care and Education?

The Associate of Science in Early Care and Education Degree program prepares students to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families in early care and education settings. During the first five years of life, the brain is undergoing rapid development, children are forming attachments, and foundational skills in all developmental domains are developed. Students will develop the knowledge and skills to work effectively with young children and their families during this critical period. Students will complete the necessary requirements to transfer into the online bachelor’s degree program at UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH). 

Career Possibilities

With a Bachelor’s degree and proper licensing, your employment opportunities include the following:

• preschool teacher
• child-care center director
• Head Start teacher
• Head Start family advocate
• developmental interventionist
• child life specialist
• child care director

With an Associate's degree and proper licensing, your employment opportunities include the following:

• child care assistant
• assistant teacher

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's website.

Additional career options are listed on the Center for Exploratory Studies website.

Major Maps

• Guide: Early Childhood Care and Education

Advising

Current and admitted students can locate advisor contact information for Early Care and Education via the UCBA advising website.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

This degree is the gateway to both the Early Childhood Education: Birth to Age 5 Bachelor's degree at UC.

Successful completion of this program will prepare you to apply to the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services for your remaining years, or at other four-year colleges or universities. Your program advisor will guide your course work to maximize your transition opportunities.

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

The University of Cincinnati's Blue Ash 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 Blue Ash 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.

Admission Requirements

You may enroll in UC's Blue Ash 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 semester: fall, spring, or summer.

High school students who are considering this program 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 tests prior to registering for classes.

The Blue Ash College admissions office provides an application for admission and all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college.

Upon completion at UC Blue Ash College, your advisor can assist you in completing the transition steps to continue your education towards the Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education: Birth to Age 5 at CECH.

Since these programs change in response to updates from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and CECH, please see your your program advisor each term.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Students transferring to UC Blue Ash College follow similar procedures as those who are enrolling through open admissions. Please contact our admissions office for all the information you’ll need to enroll in the college.

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 Blue Ash 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 UC's Blue Ash College. Students must earn a "C" or better in courses for the program. Students will complete at least 60 credit hours as listed in their specific program. 

Application Deadlines

The University of Cincinnati's Blue Ash College is an open admission campus. We accept applications all year long and you may start any semester. Financial aid takes six to eight weeks to process. We recommend that you apply at least 10 weeks prior to your desired attendance.

Accreditation