The earliest years of a child’s life are some of the most crucial learning and development stages of the brain. It is pivotal that children receive the right education and encouragement so that their later years are more conducive to easy learning and adaptation to social environments.
According to this article from Education Week, early childhood education has taken a hit from the coronavirus school shutdown. The article says that “while remote learning has presented challenges in every subject and grade level, some teachers and researchers say that early reading instruction is especially problematic.” This is because teaching young students involves hands-on activities. Children rely on teacher-student interaction and in-person conversations to build knowledge about the world. Committed early childhood educators will be helping over the next years to fill that gap.
Early childhood educators work with children from birth to age five or eight by utilizing practices and methods learned in one of the fabulous Associate Degrees listed below. These degree programs are also a great stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Find a perfect match with OnlineSchoolsCenter.com and start your career off today!
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Check out this information as well: 20 Most Affordable Schools for Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
If you intend to further your education, please see our picks for the Top Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Online Degree Programs
For graduate degree programs, see: Top 20 Online Master’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs and 20 Best Online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Programs
Best Online Schools for Associates in Early Childhood Education
METHODOLOGY: The OnlineSchoolsCenter.com researcher/writers develop specific criteria for the individual lists and rankings composed on this site. To earn a position on the 10 Best Online Schools for Associate in Early Childhood Education, the requirements included:
- An online Associate of Arts, Science, or Applied Science in Early Childhood Education or Childcare Development,
- A curriculum that educates students to work with young children from birth to age 5-8,
- 100% online availability of the coursework,
- A degree that will align students with potential working opportunities as well as four-year programs,
- Ease, simplicity, and clarity of information available for students on the school and program websites,
- And esteemed faculty members who have experience in the field and bring such information to the online classroom.
For more detailed information, please navigate to our Methodology Page.
CLARION UNIVERSITY
ONLINE A.S. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Program Standouts:
Clarion University is an excellent purveyor of distance education programs, including their outstanding online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, which is only offered online. The curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in various settings and endows them with skills, knowledge, and behaviors appropriate in working with small children. There is also an online Bachelor of Science in Education – Early Childhood Education program available for students who would rather continue their program and earn a more impressive credential before entering a competitive workforce.
Campus Location: Clarion, PA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Child Development and Learning
- Exceptionalities in the Regular Classroom
- Differentiated Instruction in Inclusive Settings
Acceptance Rate: 95.5%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 49.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLARION UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE A.S. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
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INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Program Standouts:
This online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education prepares students to enter directly into the workforce as a paraprofessional who assists families, children, educators, and organizations. Within the curriculum, there is an emphasis on the development of skills, knowledge, and dispositions of the educator. Individuals in this program learn to work well with team members and superiors in the care of young children. Students can finish this associate’s degree, enter into a position of employment, gain relevant skills, and then continue their degree in a four-year institution which would allow them to work independently.
Campus Location: Marion, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Foundations of Early Childhood
- Child Growth and Development
- Current Issues and Trends in Early Childhood
Acceptance Rate: 72%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 65%
LEARN MORE ABOUT INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATE DEGREE
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CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ONLINE ASSOCIATE’S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Program Standouts:
In this online Associate in Early Childhood Education, Clovis Community College students learn to synthesize the needs, characteristics, and learning methods of individuals children from birth to age eight. Through experiential learning projects and excellent coursework, CCC students work directly with students and teachers in educational environments where they apply concepts learned in the virtual classroom. There is also an Early Childhood Certificate of Achievement that is designed for students to gain certification as teachers of young children.
Campus Location: Clovis, NM
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Proper Child Growth, Development, and Learning
- Best Practices in Health, Safety, and Nutrition
- Engaging and Innovative Curriculum Development
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 4.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE’S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
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RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATES DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The Rasmussen College online Associate in Early Childhood Education is a career-focused curriculum that includes practical approaches and theoretical concepts. This program is not designed to prepare students for licensed positions, but it does allow them to work in public and private settings with young children from birth to age five. Students in this program learn to create safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments for students from all backgrounds and of all ethnicities. The two concentration options point the curriculum to focus on specific populations of children.
Campus Location: Bloomington, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Special Needs
- Child Development
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 34%
LEARN MORE ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATES DEGREE PROGRAM
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PAMLICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE
Program Standouts:
Students at Pamlico Community College online in the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree are studying to work with students from birth to age 8 in diverse learning environments. The curriculum includes coursework in nutrition, psychology, physical sciences, and communication, as well as many others that help students develop excellent starting skills. There are two concentration options available. The Career Track is intended for students who want to start working in the field immediately upon graduation, and the Birth-Kindergarten Transfer Track is for students who wish to continue their education in a bachelor’s degree.
Campus Location: Grantsboro, NC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Sampling of Coursework:
- Child, Family, and Community
- Children with Exceptionalities
- Infant, Toddler, and Twos
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 64.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PAMLICO COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE
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SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY
ONLINE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Program Standouts:
This online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education prepares students to work in public, private, and Christian early education and preschool environments. The coursework includes an emphasis on curriculum development and design, instruction and assessment of children, and classroom management. The Southwestern Assemblies of God University nurtures students to identify their specific interests in education and the age at which they want to work. The coursework is grounded in Christian faith, and the University inspires students to approach their academic careers from this perspective.
Campus Location: Waxahachie, TX
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Texas Education Agency
- Association of Christian Teachers and Schools
- Ellis-Dallas Teacher Advisory Council
- Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
- Texas Coordinators for Teacher Certification Testing
Sampling of Coursework:
- Foundations of Education
- Children’s Literature
- Developmental Psychology
Acceptance Rate: 27.9%
Retention Rate: 74%
Graduation Rate: 55.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
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UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
The University of Cincinnati online Associate in Early Childhood Education prepares students to work with students from birth to age 5. According to the program website, this nationally recognized online degree is designed for working professionals who need a program that accommodates busy schedules. It is an excellent choice for individuals who want to work an any imaginable setting, from military child care to head start programs. There are opportunities for further advancement, as well, as the University of Cincinnati also offers Child Development Associate credential coursework.
Campus Location: Cincinnati, OH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Concentration Options:
- Infant – Toddler
- Preschool
- Administration
Acceptance Rate: 76.5%
Retention Rate: 86%
Graduation Rate: 62.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM
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UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM
Program Standouts:
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, students can attend class in their Associate in Early Childhood Education through an online format, a hybrid format, or in-person. The goals of this online program are to prepare students for a variety of future careers, as well as to work well with families and children in general. There is a strong emphasis on the development of the whole person from the womb to age 8. Graduates will have an excellent array of techniques, practices, methods, and knowledge upon which to lay the groundwork when connecting with their students. Some of the positions taken on by graduates include curriculum specialists, aides in elementary schools, child caregivers, and more!
Campus Location: Fairbanks, AK
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Sampling of Coursework:
- Curriculum: Thinking, Reasoning, and Discovery
- Foundations in Nutrition and Physical Wellness
- Safe, Healthy Learning Environments
Acceptance Rate: 67.7%
Retention Rate: 77%
Graduation Rate: 31.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS’ ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM
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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
ONLINE ASSOCIATE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE
Program Standouts:
Liberty University’s School of Education provides an online Associate in Early Childhood Education that is an ethical approach to the academic discipline. As an Evangelical Christian University, Liberty maintains curricula based on the teachings and principles of Christ, which students can then carry out in their future careers. Liberty University includes everything that online students will need in their program, from advisors and counselors to electronic textbooks at no cost at all! This particular program is also considered one of the most affordable of its kind with classes that are completed over accelerated 8-week terms.
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for the Advancement of Teacher Education
Sampling of Coursework:
- Wellness in the Early Childhood Setting
- Educational Philosophy for Teachers
- psychology of Childhood
- Learning Theory and Portfolio Development
Acceptance Rate: 29.8%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 42.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ASSOCIATE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE
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The earliest stages of a child’s life—birth to age 8-12—are some of the most crucial developmental periods of the brain and its reception of social norms and queues, language, culture, behaviors, manners, personality, etc. Individuals can most definitely be nurtured or neglected in this time, and it is pivotally important to give children a safe and supportive learning space to develop a foundation of understanding for the rest of their lives. Earning an Associate in Early Childhood Education will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to create safe spaces and utilize effective teaching methods to bring out the best in your students! If you are passionate about working with very young children and their families, an online associate degree in this field is a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be working in a classroom or in family homes?
The opportunities are multitudinous! There are many different options for paraprofessionals and teachers working with much younger populations. It depends on the needs of the parents, the child, and the family unit, in the end. You may find yourself in a family home working with the parents and the siblings of the child, or you may work in a daycare facility or pre-school with other teachers and early childhood educators and many different children. There is a great need in this field for compassionate and competent professionals who have a broad range of skills that can be used to fill many different positions and roles.
What will be my responsibilities as an Early Childhood Educator?
As stated above, there can be many different roles that require an early childhood educator’s skill, in both administration and actual teaching. Teachers are responsible for creating safe spaces, developing a daily routine, and educating very young children as individuals and in groups in the development of their social skills and language use, fine motor skills and gross motor skills, and behaviors. Administrators will work more in curriculum and program design and development.
Do I need to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education to work as a teacher?
Many schools, facilities, clinics, and parents require that their child’s teacher have a solid education, which, in today’s day and age, typically means a bachelor’s degree at minimum. However, this does not mean that you can’t earn positions of employment with an Associate’s Degree, and with an Associate of Applied Science (a more trade-focused curriculum) you will have more opportunities to do so. Most Associate’s Degrees, however, are designed in a way that guides students toward further education. Doing so will not only increase your esteem, skill, experience, and knowledge, but it will also increase your pay-scale.