The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program is part of BGSU Firelands.

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  • Available at Firelands Campus
  • Available at Firelands Campus

Inclusive Early Childhood Education, Associates

The Inclusive PreK- grade 5 Education Program

An early childhood educator with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Inclusive Education is a person who can work with and meet the needs of children, families, and other educators from preschool to elementary school. Inclusive teachers are trained as generalists, learning how to work with all children, including those with disabilities and children with diverse cultural backgrounds.
 

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  • Setting: Full-time, in-person 
  • Prerequisite classes required: Yes 
  • Adjectives for a successful student: responsible, caring, accepting 

The education of an early childhood practitioner integrates both theory and practice. Students are exposed to basic ideas and concepts in the classroom and then have the opportunity to put those ideas and concepts to practical use in educational settings.

Graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Inclusive Education are employed in both public and private schools and may serve as family childcare providers, family advocates, parent educators, administrators, or staff trainers. They meet the requirements of federal legislation, which require that paraprofessionals in public schools have a minimum of two years of college. Graduates may be eligible for licensure in the state of Ohio as an Educational Paraprofessional Associate.

Graduates must satisfy degree requirements as stipulated by BGSU associate degrees. The coursework in the Associate of Applied Science degree can be applied to BGSU's bachelor's degree in Inclusive PreK - Grade 5 Education, providing all admission standards are met for entry into the bachelor's degree program.

Graduates can expect to: 

  • Create, teach and assess child-centered learning experiences designed to construct knowledge for all children in inclusive and diverse classrooms. 
  • Engage and collaborate with families, communities and other professionals to support the learning and development of all young children. 
  • Teach and nurture young children based on knowledge of typical and atypical child development, educational psychology and diversity in our society. 
  • Act as inclusive early childhood professionals who are continuous, collaborative and reflective learners, who act using ethical guidelines and who advocate for all young children and their families.

Graduates are early childhood educators who can work with, and meet the needs of, families and children from preschool through elementary-aged students.

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More Information

Accreditation

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program will undergo Program/Cluster Review.

Professional Licensure

Graduates meet the requirements of federal legislation, which require that paraprofessionals in public schools have a minimum of two years of college.

Dr. Trisha Prunty Ed.D. Associate Professor

Co-Coordinator of the Inclusive Early Childhood Program
pprunty@bgsu.edu
419-372-0784

Message from the director: Allow me to offer the warmest of welcomes to new or returning students who are interested in an education program. BGSU Firelands offers amazing education programs for people who want to teach pk-grade 5 elementary or special education. The classes are in person, there is plenty of field experience and our students are hired to teach in the area after graduation.  

Updated: 05/06/2024 04:52PM