Earn an Education Degree: UC Online Adds Three College of Education Program Offerings

The University of Cincinnati’s School of Education is a part of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Rights (CECH). Together, the schools are committed to making a difference in communities through outreach, academic programs, and community partnerships.

With a commitment to the pursuit of discovery and excellence in research, teaching, and service to address real-world challenges, the school is led by experienced faculty and is consistently ranked as a top school for teacher preparation, ready to shape the next generation of world-class educators. To help more students achieve their dream of becoming educators, the University of Cincinnati Online is now offering three education programs available for online degrees: an associate degree in Early Childhood Education, a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and a master’s degree in Special Education.

Three Online Degrees You Can Earn Within the School of Education

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATE

Do you have an interest in providing high-quality experiences for young children? Then you might enjoy earning your associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Emphasizing working with young children and their families from a variety of backgrounds, students in this program will learn to implement developmentally appropriate integrated activities and materials across all domains, including visual arts, music, movement, science and math, and early language development.

Students in the Early Childhood Education program may choose from among three different focus areas:

The Infants and Toddlers concentration provides students with an in-depth education on providing quality interactions and environments for children ages birth to three.
The Preschool concentration has you diving into planning developmentally appropriate curriculum experiences for children three through five years of age to get them kindergarten-ready.
The Administration course of study is designed specifically for those in leadership positions in the field of early care and education.

Or you could begin your degree with coursework that leads to the CDA credential.

Courses of Study Needed to Earn an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

Students studying to earn an associate degree in Early Childhood Education will learn from a core curriculum consisting of math and natural science as well as classes such as English composition; educational technology; health, safety, and nutrition; families, communities, and schools, and more.

Students will also select one concentration and complete the designated coursework to complete degree requirements.

Growing Careers & Average Salaries in Early Childhood Education with an Associate Degree

Employment opportunities include working with preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers, program administration, family childcare environments, and other related programs for children.

The average salary for an Early Childhood Education with an associate degree varies. For example, a preschool teacher can expect to make about $30,520 a year, whereas a childcare provider can expect to make about $24,230 per year with a high school diploma, so you can expect that salary to be higher with an associate degree.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BACHELOR

Designed to build on associate degree competencies to enhance your ability to design and implement developmentally appropriate learning environments for children ages birth – age five, UCO’s Bachelor of Science (BSED) Degree in Early Childhood Education will allow you to educate children within the state of Ohio.

This program prepares graduates to become effective teachers of children in a variety of pre-kindergarten settings, including preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers, public schools, and related programs for children.

You will also be prepared to take the Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams upon graduation. Once you’ve passed the OAE exams, you would be eligible to apply for an initial State of Ohio teaching license.

Courses of Study Needed to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Students need to earn a total of 120 credits to graduate. Core courses include math, natural science, general education electives, English comp, educational technology, infant toddler care and education and more.

Students will also need to complete courses chosen in their main educational area, which can have a pre-k, administration, or infant-toddler focus.

Growing Careers & Average Salaries in Early Childhood Education with a Bachelor’s Degree

Careers for those with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education include Head Start teacher, preschool teacher, infant/toddler specialist, MRDD consultant trainer, and program administrator in early childhood settings.

An early childhood educator with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn, on average, $59,420 for kindergarten teachers, and $48,210 for preschool and childcare center directors.

MASTER IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

Do you enjoy working with children and adults with disabilities? Then UC Online’s Master’s Degree in Special Education could be for you. The focus of the special education program is to enhance and better the lives of all individuals with disabilities through education, community awareness, and ecologically based service delivery.

Ranked among the top 50 schools in the nation for their Special Education program, this master’s degree program is offered completely online. Upon graduation, you will be able to provide special education services in K-12 education, in rehab for occupational development and daily independence, in community-based management, disability advocacy, in-school and individualized consultation services, and in various other related services.

Courses of Study Needed to Earn a Masters Degree in Special Education

Students need to earn a total of 30 credits to graduate, and the program typically takes one year. Class requirements include educational research for master’s students; transition to work endorsement; and foundations, trends, and issues in special education leadership.

Students will also be able to choose concentration areas related to licensure and reading endorsement, Autism spectrum disorders and complex needs, as well as transition to work. There are also advanced studies courses available.

Growing Careers & Average Salaries in Special Education with a Masters Degree

Careers for graduates of the Special Education Masters Degree program include intervention specialists (teachers) in various settings such as schools, hospitals, vocational training facilities and other institutions that provide educational services for individuals with disabilities.

Some graduates of the special education program choose to work as advocates and/or case managers for social agencies.

Earning your Masters’s Degree in Special Education can bolster your earning potential in the education field. A special education educator with a master’s degree can expect to earn more than $62,000 a year in a public school system. Other fields that require special education degrees can pay as much as $88,000 depending on the industry.

Want to learn more about getting started on the path toward earning your education degree? Get in touch with an Enrollment Services Adviser today!