Brighten a child's future with a specialization in child development

Join the growing education field with a specialization in child development

As a student in our Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree specializing in Child Development, you develop a depth of learning that few other schools provide and that employers want when hiring future early childhood educators. Whether you choose to complete your courses online or on campus, your instructors are seasoned professionals—many with Master’s degrees—and they are dedicated to working with you to maximize your education and give you the knowledge and skills you need to begin a successful career as an early childhood educator, not just as a daycare worker.

We base our curriculum on National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)* standards and focus on the complete lifecycle of Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preparedness. Plus, to ensure you have substantial hands-on experience working with children in an education setting, you also complete 540 hours of applied learning in an environment that supports your career goals.

Contact one of our dedicated program managers today at (888) 549-6755 or complete the contact request form on the right to learn more about our Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree with a specialization in Child Development.

*The School of Education at Rasmussen College is not accredited by NAEYC.

Child Development Courses

Online and on campus instruction for the Early Childhood Education degree is supported by an extensive hands-on externship, or our teacher reflection courses for online learners. You'll have the opportunity to earn while you learn at a licensed child care center. Your courses focus on topics such as the foundations of child development, health, safety, nutrition, and implementing curriculum in the classroom.

Some key courses include:

Dynamics of the Family
Examine multiple family theories and styles of parenting and how culture impacts all aspects of families.

The Exceptional Child
Develop a case study based on characteristics of a child with special needs and write a plan to provide high quality care and education for this child.

View courses - Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree – Child Development specialization

Early Education Career Outlook

Rasmussen College graduates have been placed in careers that are in-demand and are expected to have continued growth. Our early childhood education graduates are placed in child care centers, school districts, non-profit organizations, privately owned preschools/centers, community education programs, private schools, and churches.

Here’s a snapshot of the career:

The Rasmussen College career services staff starts helping you find the career that is right for you before you graduate. From resume and cover letter development, to mock interviews, to job search techniques, our career services advisors are here to help you in your professional development. As a Rasmussen College graduate, it doesn’t end there—these services are available throughout your career.

‡"Occupational Employment Statistics Home Page." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, 27 July 2010. Web. 27 Sept. 2010.

"Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, Dec. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2010.

BLS salary data may not reflect expected entry level earnings.

Seamless Credit Transfer Policies

Transferring your credits doesn't need to be difficult. At Rasmussen College, our transfer policies are designed to maximize your credit transfer and minimize your time to graduation. View our official Transfer Policy for a full description of each policy.