What Is Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education?
If you love kids and want to make a difference in young lives, you might be a great preschool teacher. Research shows that providing high quality educational programs for our youngest children is an investment in the future. The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program at OCTC can give you the tools to have a big impact on little ones. Our graduates gain an understanding of the cognitive, physical, social and emotional development for working with young children. Our students benefit from excellent classroom instruction and practical experiences that prepare them for this rewarding field.
What are my career choices?
In public and private preschools, early care centers, early intervention programs such as Head Start, hospitals, campus child development centers, corporate child care, rehabilitation clinics, and recreation centers.
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Degrees and Transfer
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education - AAS (60-64 credit hours)
Diploma
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education - Diploma (45-48 credit hours)
Certificates
- Child Care Assistant - Certificate (9 credit hours)
- Early Childhood Administrator - Certificate (12 credit hours)
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Technical Studies - Certificate (33 credit hours)
- Kentucky Child Care Provider - Certificate (3 credit hours)
- School Age Child Care - Certificate (15 credit hours)
What is CDA?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) program is a national credentialing program
initiated in 1971 for the recognition of early childhood professionals. A competency
based assessment and credentialing process is administered by the Council for Professional
Recognition. More than 300,000 child care providers have earned the CDA credential.
Applying for the CDA Credential is a big commitment. However, working towards the
credential can be a rewarding experience. It offers caregivers an opportunity to:
- Take a look at their own work in relation to national standards.
- Get feedback and support from people who have experience working with children and knowledge about early childhood education/child development.
- Improve their skills in ways that are satisfying for themselves and beneficial for children.
- Earn a professional credential that is recognized by early childhood educators nationwide.
- For more information about the national CDA program, go to the Council for Professional Recognition's website.
Owensboro Community and Technical College offers course work specifically designed to address the requirements and standards of the CDA credential for center-based preschool and infant/toddler caregivers, family child care providers, and home visitors.
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
