The Early Childhood Education program offers professionals an opportunity to deepen their study of young children, birth through age eight. The program prepares you to work with children and families in a diverse learning environments including public schools, childcare and child development settings, social service agencies, and crisis management. Your individual Program of Study is developed with your advisor, based on your goals and experiential needs. You may select either the thesis or graduate project option.

The Program of Study is intended to be highly flexible, accommodating current practitioners who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge base, and new professionals who are considering an academic career, or work in specialized areas. Examples of these areas and special populations include gerontology, mental health, substance abuse, family development, children’s services, hospital services, advocacy for special populations, policy creation and implementation, and programs that foster the development of strong and enriching relationships over the lifespan. Together with your advisor, you will develop a Program of Study reflective of your experiences and professional goals. You may select either the thesis or graduate project option.

Application Process

While applications for admission are accepted during all quarters, it is recommended that applications for both admission and financial aid for the following year be received by March 1.

Note: you must request official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent directly from the testing agency. Student-supplied photocopies are not accepted as official, but may be included for review and to assist with official score matching. The Ohio University reporting code is 1593.

When you submit an ONLINE APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application. You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-3 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrace, Athens, OH 45701.

    1. Copy of Application Submission page or the application transaction (order) ID.

    2. Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

    3. Two copies of official or registrar certified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

In envelope #2 put items 4-7. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Coordinator, School of Human and Consumer Sciences; Grover Center W324; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701.

    4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (www.ohio.edu/graduate). Please make certain to include the program you plan to pursue on the form prior to giving the form to the person providing the reference.

    5. A cover letter of application briefly stating your intent to apply for admission and describing your goals and reasons for applying to graduate study in your specified area. Include dates for projected entry, completion of undergraduate work and any other information you believe necessary for full consideration or your application.

    6. A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.

    7. A statement of goals and autobiography (3-5 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey to the Graduate Committee a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate degree within the School of Human and Consumer Sciences. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you plan to do following graduation, what research interests you may have, and why you want to be a student in our school.

NOTE: If submitting an online application, do not submit a paper copy of the application for the same term/degree program.

When you submit a PAPER APPLICATION, you need to provide printed copies of the following materials to complete your application. You will need two separate envelopes for these materials.

In envelope #1 put items 1-7 (as applicable). Mail this envelope to: Graduate Studies, McKee House, 44 University Terrace, Athens, OH 45701.

    1. One completed, signed application(Form 1).

    2. One completed, signed In-State Tuition Rates Form (Form 2).

    3. One completed, signed Background Information & References Form (Form 3)

    4. Non-refundable application fee (check, cash or money order) payable to Ohio University.

    5. Two copies of official transcripts from each U.S. postsecondary institution attended. (Official transcripts are those in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution). Ohio University transcripts will be obtained by the Office of Graduate Studies on your behalf.

    6. Two copies of official or registrar certified transcripts/mark sheets and two certified English translations for each non-U.S. postsecondary institution attended (in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible). Transcripts must reflect all courses taken, including courses that were repeated or taken outside a degree program.

    7. International applicants who need a certificate of eligibility, include one completed, signed Financial Affidavit of Support (Form 4).

In envelope #2 put items 8-11. Mail this envelope to: Graduate Coordinator, School of Human and Consumer Sciences; Grover Center W324; College of Health and Human Services, Athens, OH 45701.

    8. Three (3) letters of recommendation from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study, in envelopes sealed by the person writing the recommendation. These letters are to be on the form available through the Office of Graduate Studies (www.ohio.edu/graduate).

    9. A cover letter of application briefly stating your intent to apply for admission and describing your goals and reasons for applying to graduate study in your specified area. Include dates for projected entry, completion of undergraduate work and any other information you believe necessary for full consideration or your application.

    10. A resume, including your educational background and professional work experience.

    11. A statement of goals and autobiography (3-5 double-spaced typed pages), which serves as a writing sample and helps to convey to the Graduate Committee a sense of who you are, what your experiences have been, and how these factors relate to your desire to pursue a graduate degree within the School of Human and Consumer Sciences. Be sure to include your goals for graduate study, how your goals for study relate to what you plan to do following graduation, what research interests you may have, and why you want to be a student in our school.

All documents received by the University in connection with an application for admission become the property of Ohio University. They will not be returned or forwarded to another agency or college/university.

All non-native speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency by submission of official TOEFL (550 minimum paper-based test/213 computer-based test) or IELTS score (7.0 overall average). Tests older than two years are not accepted. See elsewhere in this catalog for exemptions and more details regarding English proficiency requirements. Financial assistance, such as assistantships, is available.