How To Earn an Early Childhood Associate's Degree Online

Early childhood education focuses on children from birth through the age of 7 or 8 (depending on the state). An associate's degree in early childhood education will allow a person to work with children in daycares, preschools and elementary schools. In most states, a person with an associate's degree can only be an assistant teacher at a preschool or an elementary school. Some states allow those with associate's degrees to teach preschool and/or substitute teach at the elementary level.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Complete a high school diploma or GED. You cannot enroll in an online associate's degree program without a high school diploma.

2. Enroll in an online early childhood education program that provides an associate's degree. See resources for a list of accredited programs.

3. Complete the general education requirements. Most associate's degree programs require 60 credit hours and general courses in writing, literature, math and science.

4. Fulfill the early childhood education course requirements. Each school has specific classes that usually include fundamentals of early childhood education, language and literacy in young children, math for young children, early childhood curriculum, special needs children, and child psychology.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the valuable resources around you. Just because you are not meeting in person with other students and professors does not mean that you shouldn't get advice or have discussions with them. Arrange times when you can meet online.
• Don't forget to get some real life experience. This will give you concrete examples to use in your classes and help prepare you for life after graduation.

References

• Info About Programs

Resources

• List of Programs
• Rasmussen College's Progam

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