Online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early childhood education focuses on teaching and caring for children up to eight years old. Guiding children during these formative years is an exciting responsibility. It provides an opportunity to help young people, their parents, and the community in an important and fulfilling way. Potential jobs for people with an early childhood education associate degree include preschool workers and administrators, teacher assistants, and other childcare positions. The growing demand for trained workers to fill these roles means career opportunities are plentiful for people with an associate degree in early childhood education.

Potential jobs for people with an early childhood education associate degree include preschool workers and administrators, teacher assistants, and other childcare positions.

You can earn an early childhood education associate degree online. This convenient method allows you to keep up with your current responsibilities while you take classes. The curriculum for an early childhood education online associate degree includes introductory courses on child development, behavior management, and education. It also includes the general studies courses you might expect in an associate program, such as introductory-level classes in math, science, and English. Many people who earn their early childhood education associate degree online go on to complete their bachelor’s degree, which opens up further career possibilities. Some states require licensure to work in certain early childhood education roles, and an associate degree may help with gaining the necessary credentials.

Choosing an Online Early Childhood Education Program

When you look at your options for earning an early childhood education associate degree online, you should research several aspects to make sure they are compatible with your needs. First, any school you consider attending should be accredited. Choosing a regionally accredited school ensures you are receiving a valid education that will be accepted by future employers and other schools you may wish to attend.

As you choose among accredited schools, look at what is required to complete each school’s program. The cost of tuition and other fees is a major factor. You should research your financial aid eligibility and options so you have a truer sense of what you can afford. For an accurate idea of what your degree will cost, you also need to know how many credits are required, and how long it takes to complete them. Some programs require full-time attendance, while others are designed with working professionals in mind, allowing students to attend part time so they can maintain their existing jobs and other responsibilities. Most online programs are designed to accommodate students who already work full time.

You can complete some of these programs completely online, but others are hybrid programs, which require some in-person attendance or on-campus requirements. You may be required to complete an internship, a practicum, or gain some other direct experience, so be sure that you can fulfill any such requirement when the time comes. If you do not live close enough to a campus that requires students to visit in-person, a fully online program may be a better fit.

Entry Requirements

Before you can enroll in a program to earn an early childhood education online associate degree, you must meet the school’s admission requirements. The exact requirements vary from school to school, but there are some basic commonalities. You are required to submit your official high school transcript or an equivalent and transcripts from any previous college experience. However, if you completed more than a certain number of transferable college credits, the high school transcript is not necessary. You also may be asked to submit test scores, such as the SAT or ACT, and have a GPA over a given threshold. Some of these requirements may be waived if you pursue your associate degree at a community college, where you can work to establish solid academic credentials. You may need to take placement tests to determine which classes to complete.

Prior teaching experience is not usually required to pursue an associate degree in early childhood education. Most programs include a practicum or internship working with children in an educational setting, so you must meet all legal standards allowing you to do so. A background check or drug screening may be required.

Directory of Accredited Associate in Early Childhood Education Programs

What Can You Do With an Online Associate in Early Childhood Education?

Graduates with an early childhood education online associate degree have many potentially rewarding and lucrative employment options. In addition to job opportunities, earning an online associate degree in early childhood education also prepares you to continue your studies. If you choose to, you can go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education online, or in a traditional campus setting.

How Much Do Early Childhood Educators Make?

Preschool Teacher

Preschool teachers teach and care for children who are too young to enter kindergarten. They may work in a childcare center, or in a public or private school. The levels of training and education required vary by state, but preschool teachers are generally required to have an associate degree at minimum.

Median Salary: $29,840

Teacher Assistant

Under a teacher’s supervision, teacher assistants work in the classroom, providing extra attention to individual students and helping the teacher with various tasks. This position does not always require an associate degree, but it is often preferred. Many teacher assistants eventually complete their bachelor’s degrees to become teachers themselves.

Median Salary: $22,958

Preschool Director

A preschool director oversees every aspect of a preschool or childcare center, managing its staff and planning activities. This position typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree and some professional experience working in early childhood education, such as time spent as a preschool teacher. Some states require preschool teachers to be certified.

Median Salary: $39,866

Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants work in a wide variety of fields. They perform various clerical duties, usually in an office environment. An administrative assistant with an associate degree in early childhood education might work in the office of a school, preschool, childcare facility, or another environment that serves young children.

Median Salary: $38,625

Childcare Worker

Childcare workers take care of children. Their duties may include feeding, dressing, bathing, and otherwise supervising children. They may work in preschools, childcare centers, private homes, or their own homes. The educational requirements depend on the employer and the location, but some childcare workers earn a relevant early childhood education certificate or degree

Median Salary: $22,290

Paying for Your Online Associate in Early Childhood Education

There are many ways to pay for your early childhood education online associate degree. Colleges do not offer payment plans, and tuition payments are due in full at the beginning of each semester. You can pay for your tuition and other education expenses out of pocket if you wish, but many students use financial aid to cover at least a portion of their education costs. Most people use one or more of the methods below, then cover any remaining balance out of pocket.

Scholarships for Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Degrees

Resources for Online Associate in Early Childhood Education Students

  • Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) Provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, ERIC is an extensive database of education-related information and research, including journal articles, research documents, and other resources.
  • Education Week Education Week collects education-related news and research, hosts education blogs, provides online educational resources for people in the education field, and offers a job board. There are resources specifically aimed at teachers and a section devoted to early childhood education.
  • Head Start Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) Overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start ECLKC provides information about a wide variety of early childhood education-related topics. It also includes information about policy and regulations for child care in general and Head Start programs.
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) NAEYC offers resources such as research, publications, professional development opportunities, and public policy advocacy. An entry-level membership for students is available, providing access to resources, including educational content, networking opportunities, and a job board.
  • NEA Early Childhood Education The NEA’s early childhood education section includes public policy briefs and information, and the latest research in the field. The NEA offers a student membership, so you can gain access to more resources for professional development and networking.

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teacher smiling with students around the table