Early Childhood Development & Education
The need for highly qualified, well-educated early childhood professionals has never been greater!
Center for Early Learning now open for child care enrollment at Columbus State!
We've invested $3.5 million into a new on-campus child care center designed to meet families' needs and train the next generation of skilled early care and education professionals in central Ohio. Learn More
The Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) program at Columbus State prepares today's professionals to work with children and families in a variety of settings. Whether you want to earn your CDA credential, complete a certificate to become a center administrator, earn an industry-recognized associate degree that will help you gain immediate employment, or you are interested in transferring to a four-year institution to earn a Pre-K through Grade 5 teaching license, ECDE has convenient options that can meet your educational needs. Our program also meets the needs of our diverse student population with day and evening classes, delivered in a variety or in-person and online modalities.
Whether you are a College Credit Plus student, a recent high school graduate, a career changer, a seasoned teacher looking to further your education, or a transient student from another college looking to take some classes, we welcome your interest in ECDE and we look forward to having you in class!
Hands-On Education
ECDE provides a top-notch education that includes hands-on practicum experiences in high-quality early childhood classrooms, as well as various community settings, such as Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Museum of Art and the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Students will also be able to complete a practicum at ECDE's Step Up to Quality 5-Star rated lab school, Wonder School, which is a collaboration with Columbus Museum of Art and The Childhood League Center. Students currently working at high-quality childcare centers will have the opportunity to use their place of employment as a paid practicum experience (see ECDE Practicum Manual for details). Also, students with 5+ years of licensed childcare experience may receive practicum credit.
Scholarships for ECDE Students
Several scholarships are available specifically for ECDE students:
AT&T ECDE Scholarship for students who have earned a CDA credential
Li Yang Education Fund for any part-time or full-time ECDE students
Ohio Children's Foundation Scholarship for students employed in the early childhood field
Ohio Department of Education Pre-K Scholarship for full-time students with 30+ credit hours
Virginia Carey ECDE Memorial Scholarship for practicum students.
Also, if you are working at least 30 hours per week at a childcare center or licensed in-home program, you might be eligible for a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship. The Office of Financial Aid can give you more information and direct you to additional grant and scholarship opportunities. View Scholarships
AAS or AA?
The Associate of Applied Science in ECDE includes a strong foundation in early childhood development and education, hands-on practicum experiences with young children, a licensure opportunity, and transferability. It can lead directly to employment in the field after graduation. It can also be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree in early childhood (primary) education with licensure. It fulfills some of your general education requirements and all of Ohio’s education Transfer Assurance Guide courses. More on AAS in Early Childhood Development and Education.
The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood (Primary) Education (offered by the department of Arts & Sciences) is a non-occupational degree designed to fulfill the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in primary education. It fulfills most of your general education requirements with only one early childhood education course and some of Ohio’s education Transfer Assurance Guide courses. More on AA in Early Childhood (Primary) Education.
Programs and Certificates