Develop Strong And Healthy Children and Families
Early Childhood Education Associate's degree—Child and Family Studies specialization
Children’s behavior and education needs vary dramatically and are impacted greatly by their family environments. To help you create a positive and effective learning environment for all children, our Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree with a specialization in Child and Family Studies—available fully online or on campus—gives you the opportunity to develop the unique skill set you need to positively impact the entire family.
You gain first-hand experience with creating strategies and the teaching techniques needed to support children with challenging behaviors in both the classroom and at home, provide parent education, and understand the mental development of children during early childhood.
Become a role model and inspire children to learn
The skills and knowledge that you gain in our unique Child and Family Studies specialization, which is available on campus or fully online, can not only help give you a competitive advantage in today’s job market, but can also help you advocate for healthier and stronger communities. In addition, our online and on campus faculty, who are seasoned professionals—many holding a Master’s degree—are focused on providing you with the knowledge and skills you need for a successful career in education as an influential and positive role model in the lives of your students and their families.
Developed based on National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)* best standards, our curriculum focuses on preparing you to apply for your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Plus, to ensure you have the hands-on experience you need for a smooth career transition, part of your coursework includes 540 hours of applied learning in an environment that coincides with your career goals.
Contact one of our dedicated program managers today at 888-549-6755 or complete the contact request form on the right and learn more about our Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree with a specialization in Child and Family Studies.
*The School of Education at Rasmussen College is not accredited by NAEYC.
Child and Family Studies Courses
Understanding how a family truly functions is a difficult task. Each individual, no matter how big or small, plays a vital role in the makeup of a family. Your courses at Rasmussen College help prepare you to work with children in the classroom and interact with their family.
Some key courses include:
Guiding Children’s Behavior
Explore how to use positive guidance in the early childhood setting, with an emphasis on understanding why young children exhibit certain behaviors and how we can meet the child’s needs effectively and with support.
Family Resource Management
Learn different strategies to help families manage resources through various problem-solving methods.
Child and Family Advocacy
Study and develop skills to advocate for children and families through legislation, social policy, and advocacy techniques. Investigate several current and controversial issues within the early childhood profession, and explore current research on early childhood education issues.
Early Education Career Outlook
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:
Salary & growth statistics provided by the BLS ‡ |
25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Projected Growth |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $19,280 | $24,540 | $32,240 | 22.50% |
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.
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