Balancing School, Work & Life

Making it Easy

Figuring out how to schedule classes around your life can be hard, as each student has their own unique situation and history. For example, you may have already taken a few classes, work nights, or have children with a set childcare schedule. 

While we provide course options for this program by semester so you can figure things out on your own, there is an easier option: let us help you design a schedule that works for you.

Make it easy on yourself by:

• Applying Today – it’s free, and only takes a few minutes
• Scheduling an Advisor Appointment – after you receive confirmation of acceptance

An advisor will then meet with you to work through the options, helping you understand what’s possible given your specific circumstances.

Deciding When to Start

Cincinnati State offers classes during three semesters each year: fall, spring and summer. 

• Fall – a traditional 15-week semester that starts in late August and ends in December
• Spring – a traditional 15-week semester that starts in mid-January and ends in early May
• Summer – both an abbreviated 10-week as well as a full 15-week session that starts in mid-May and ends in August

The Early Childhood Education program can be started during any semester. You can begin in fall, spring, or summer, providing flexibility for your scheduling needs. However, some first-semester Early Childhood Education courses are not available during the summer semester, so a full course load may not be possible if starting in summer.  

The next start date is August 25, 2025 for fall.

Please note, not every class is offered during every semester or in every location or format. See an advisor to discuss options. There are abbreviated sessions offered in both spring and fall, but with limited class choices as compared with the abbreviated summer session.

See more information on important dates or course options.

Full-Time vs Part-Time

While we always encourage full-time studies, all Cincinnati State programs can be completed on both a full or part-time basis. Learn more about the different approaches below:

• Full-Time: Complete your program in the shortest possible time, ideal for those who can dedicate more hours per week to their studies.
• Part-Time: In some instances, students may choose to spread their coursework over a longer period to fit their work and personal schedules. 
• Non-Consecutive Study: Need a break? This option lets you take semesters off, allowing you to balance your education with personal and professional responsibilities without falling behind.

Each program’s page on this website outlines a full-time schedule. Generally, a full-time student can also work a part-time job, a part-time student a full-time job.

Note that some classes are only offered certain semesters currently, so if you start part-time, you may have to wait a year to get a specific class that is only offered in fall or spring for example. That is why we always recommend applying and then scheduling an advisor meeting where they can help you work through those decisions.

Class Times, Formats & Locations

Ultimately, making this program fit into your life revolves around when and where you can take classes. 

First, we offer classes in the following formats:

• In-person
  • Traditional classes that take place in a building on one of our campuses at specific days and times with live instructors
  • Not every course is offered at every campus
• Online & Hybrid
  • These classes are offered in a variety of ways, from “totally online” to “live web hybrid”
  • While some of these formats offer classes at set times, others have weekly deadlines that allow you to take classes on your own schedule
  • See a complete list of online options with their descriptions

For this program, most non-major classes are offered online as well as on-site at both our Clifton and Middleton campus locations. All core Early Childhood Education courses are held on-site at the Clifton campus – with many available during daytime hours, some in the evenings, and a few having hybrid components.

Experiential learning cannot be completed 100% online because it requires hands-on experience with children in classroom settings. The program includes two field placements in infant/toddler and preschool settings, plus one semester of student teaching (minimum 14 hours per week). Student teaching can sometimes be completed at your current workplace if it meets program standards.

The program offers flexibility with a mix of online, hybrid, and in-person classes to accommodate working students, though it is primarily designed for full-time study to ensure timely completion and immediate workforce entry.

Please note that schedules change by semester, and not every course may be available in every format above in any one semester. 

What’s the best way to put together a class schedule that works with your life? Apply today – it’s free and only takes 5 minutes – and then schedule an advisor meeting where they’ll help you work through the options.

When You’ll Finish

This program can be completed in as few as 4 semesters, or in roughly 21 months.

This assumes that you take a “full load” of classes each semester, do so consecutively with no breaks. While part-time is an option, full-time is strongly encouraged.

Ultimately, the time to complete this program is based on a combination of the above:

• When you start
• Whether you go full or part-time
• Classes are available when and where you need them

How can you figure it out? We always recommend applying early and then meeting with an advisor to help you make a plan.

Childcare & Resources

Are you a parent? Our comprehensive childcare options are designed to provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your studies while making sure your child receives quality care.

• William L. Mallory Early Learning Center
  • Comprehensive childcare services for students on the Clifton campus
  • Convenient location for students attending classes
  • Professionally staffed with trained early childhood educators
  • Educational programs tailored for different age groups
  • Financial assistance for child care costs may be available to eligible parents
• Parenting Resource Center
  • Workshops on topics that are relevant to students who are also parents
  • Referrals to resources for academic and community support
  • Administers the Federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant that supports eligible students with child care costs
  • Assistance with finding off-campus childcare options if on-campus facilities are full
  • Information on state and federal childcare assistance programs
• Counseling Services
  • For student parents dealing with stress or time management issues

Transportation & Parking

We provide accessible, safe, and environmentally conscious transportation options for all students at Cincinnati State.

• Campus Parking
  • Convenient parking options for students, faculty, and visitors across our campuses
  • All parking areas have handicapped-accessible spaces, and daily/semester parking permits can also be purchased
  • For locations, costs, and maps, read more about our parking options
• Public Transit
  • Thanks to our partnership with Cincinnati Metro, Cincinnati State is able to offer discounted student bus fares of only $1, valid for any Metro route, anywhere, anytime
  • See our transportation page for more information