Early Childhood Education

Athena is dedicated to offering a comprehensive Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program Majoring in Early Childhood Education Birth through age 5; and school age programming. You will learn how to educate, encourage, use positive guidance, inspire, and use Developmentally Appropriate Practice Methods. You will study the developmental levels of birth through age 8. Athena integrates into their curriculum NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) standards and Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards in all Essential Domains Birth through Age 5.

But it is so much more….

Athena offers such a wonderful and welcoming social environment where the students become friends forever. We encourage positive behavior, manners, and self-esteem building exercises for our students so they can become successful professionals and excellent role models.

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Where can I work with my degree in Early Childhood Education?

Athena graduates will not only be prepared to OWN and OPERATE a childcare center, they will also be able to work in Early Childhood centers as an Administrator, Lead, or Head teacher, work as a Play Specialist, work on cruise ships as a Children’s Director, Type A Center, Type B Center, Head Start, National Accredited Centers, Step Up To Quality centers, and so many, many more CAREERS. Athena will show you why your Early Childhood Degree is in such high demand.

What are the Admission Requirements?

Download the ECE Checklist
Persons interested in attending the Early Childhood Education Associates Degree Program must meet the following criteria for admittance:

  1. Attend an informational meeting with an admissions representative.
  2. Complete an online application for admission.
  3. Attend an individual meeting with a financial aid administrator for funding arrangements.
  4. Sign an enrollment agreement.
  5. Complete an online State of Ohio Disclosure Course.
  6. Submit a copy of a high school transcript or GED transcript
  7. Provide a copy of valid government identification and social security card.
  8. Complete an emergency medical form.
  9. Attend the orientation session.

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How long is the program? Is it quarters or semesters? Days or evenings?

  • The Early Childhood Associate degree program is typically a two year program.
  • The program is on Quarters.
  • The program has four quarter start dates a year: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
  • We offer DAY and EVENING hours to accommodate our students work schedules.
  • The program is a total of 92 quarter credit hours.

What degree will I have at the end of completion of the program?

Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS)  *Accredited
Majoring in: Early Childhood Education

*Athena is Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and Approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.

What classes are taught in this program?

Early Childhood EducationFoundations of Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Professional/Community, Creative Art, Music, and Play for Early Childhood, Early Childhood Literacy, Infant Toddler Care and Development, Safety, Health, Nutrition for Early Childhood, Preschool/School-age Programming, Observation Positive Behavioral Management, Special Needs and Education, Diversity and Multicultural Understanding, Organization and Administration of Early Childhood, Practicum/Seminar, Oral Communication, Introduction to the Arts, Personal and Social Behavior, Introduction to Sociology, Basic Mathematics, Introduction to Accounting, Fundamentals of Biology, Introduction to Technology, Understanding Parenthood, STEM/STEAM.

Where can I take my classes?

Athena Career Academy
5203 Airport Highway, Toledo, Ohio 43615

Athena’s campus has designated Labs set up specifically for the Early Childhood Program. Athena understands students must have hands on experience with an area to comfortably work on your art, music, and lesson planning activities. Athena also has computer labs available for you.

When can I start?

New classes start approximately every three months; however, all required documents and out of pocket expenses must be submitted by the registration deadline. View our Academic Calendar here.

Classes Enrolling Now, Click Here to get started!