It's Your Education, Make an Informed Choice.

An associate degree in early childhood education is a foundational learning track aimed at preparing future educators to begin pursuing a career as an early childhood educator. This degree track provides introductory concepts to childhood development. Students are taught health safety measures as they relate to young children, as well as how a young child develops within his community. An associate in arts in early childhood education is typically designed to be completed within two years of full-time study.

After graduation, many students elect to pursue a bachelor degree, and even graduate degrees in early childhood education, while others go on to seek work in the education field. Early education extends to preschool and kindergarten-aged children. These classrooms are sometimes incorporated into grade school campuses. Here, associate degree holders might seek work as teaching assistants, classroom attendants, or administrative professionals. Private schools and religious centers might also utilize early childhood educators. In this case, graduates might carry a wider spectrum of duties, like teaching and administrative assistance for example, as the establishments are traditionally smaller and privately run. The differences between private and public schooling systems are often inclusive of class size (which tend to run larger in public) and curriculum.

Example Courses

• Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Young Children
• Child, Family and the Community
• Child Growth and Development

Potential Industries

• Private Education
• Public Education
• Preschool Education or Administration

Colleges Offering Degree

• Washburn University
• Rasmussen College
• Santa Monica College