Through Ashworth College’s online Early Childhood Education Associate Degree, you can build the skills you’ll need to start a successful career as a preschool teacher, daycare teacher, or childcare worker on your own terms.
The Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education is a 60-credit-hour, 4-semester program that provides 24 credit hours of general education plus specialized education in a student’s focus area. It covers theories and techniques for fun and effective learning in courses like curriculum development, guidance and discipline, and creative expression. For students pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™, coursework can be applied toward the formal education requirement.
At Ashworth College, enrollment in the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program is not dependent upon submission of standardized test scores. A high school diploma or equivalent is the only prerequisite for admission. Upon successful graduation from the program, students who wish to continue to the next degree level will have already completed half of the credit hours required for a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Education Online Associate Degree Curriculum
Through your four-semester online college degree in ECE, you’ll build the skills and knowledge that can help you prepare to take the next steps toward becoming a successful daycare teacher, preschool teacher, or childcare worker while also fulfilling the educational requirements to earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Your online ECE classes include:
120 hours of professional education to apply to your CDA Credential™
A combination of textbooks and online lessons
Student Portal dashboard for instant access to lessons and support
Learning Resource Center online libraries and labs
ProQuest® digital access to thousands of sources for research
An active online community of fellow students, staff, and grads
$28,520
median salary
Childcare job opportunities
Working with children can be a rewarding job with plenty of opportunities for growth! Starting out, the average salary for childcare workers is around $28,520†. However, salary can vary based on employer, experience, education, and credentials, so you can potentially make more.
ACCREDITED COURSES
You have goals. We have standards. Let’s do great things together.
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
Gain essential skills and meet a professional education requirement.
CAREER RESOURCES
Our partnerships and online tools are here to help you as soon as you enroll.
ACCREDITED COURSES
You have goals. We have standards. Let’s do great things together.
PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
Gain essential skills and meet a professional education requirement.
CAREER RESOURCES
Our partnerships and online tools are here to help you as soon as you enroll.
"Earning my education from Ashworth has meant a great deal to me, it afforded me to pursue higher learning while working full-time along with all of the challenges that come with everyday life. I was able to work at my own pace and complete my degree. I also had access to student advisors as well as tutors to help me be successful in graduating with honors."
LaQuita Hood Burks, 2022.
Early Childhood Education FAQ
Whether you’re new to online education or you’ve taken online classes before, you may have questions about how Ashworth College works. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’re looking to start a rewarding career that allows you to help children and make a difference, earning a degree in early childhood education can help you prepare for the career you want. Besides building the skills to help you be successful on the job, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education fulfills the 120 hours of education required to qualify for your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which can be essential to starting or advancing your career in the field. Through online childcare classes, you can learn how to be an effective preschool teacher, daycare teacher, or childcare worker on your schedule.
As soon as you enroll, you gain an Ashworth College Central Network. It's an online toolkit that offers step-by-step guidance for building your resume, drafting cover letters, writing thank yous, and more. Your lessons may refer you to the Ashworth College Central Network as you prepare to graduate and take new steps in your career. After you earn your degree, you'll retain your account so you can sharpen your Ashworth College Central Network anytime you need to.
The Early Childhood Education Online Degree is completely self-paced, meaning you can complete your education on your terms. While many students do finish each semester within six months, you have a total of four years to complete your degree so you can learn at the pace that works best for you.
The CDA is a credential that is earned outside of any education program. To qualify for your CDA, one requirement is that you have 120 hours of education in childcare focused courses. Ashworth’s Early Childhood Education Degree fulfills that requirement. From there, you’ll need to build a portfolio, gain work experience, and meet other requirements to earn your CDA.
Related programs
This program is just one of your options in the field of education. Explore our other programs for continued learning in this area.
A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.
Ashworth College is unable to determine whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements or certification in: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
NOTE: This program is not intended to lead to teacher certification.
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