Develop Strong and Healthy Children and Families

Early Childhood Education Associate’s Degree—Child and Family Studies Specialization

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—helps you develop the unique skill set you need to positively impact the entire family. 

Become a Role Model and Inspire Children to Learn

Our Early Childhood Education Associate's degree with a specialization in Child and Family Studies helps prepare you 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.

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.* Through specialized courses led by experience faculty and 540 hours of applied learning, you gain first-hand experience to help you gain a competitive advantage in today's job market.

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.

Learn more about our Early Childhood Education Associate's degree by completing the form on the right or calling us at 888-549-6755. One of our program managers will be happy to answer all your questions.

Program Highlights
  • Advanced curriculum based on national standards established by the NAEYC
  • 540 hours of applied learning in an career-focused environment
  • CDA credential prep built into your coursework
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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.

  • Courses offered online and on campus
  • Strategies to support children with challenging behaviors
  • Curriculum developed based on national standards
  • 540 hours of applied learning

Sample Course List

Foundations of Child Development
This course will explore characteristics of children at different ages, children's developmental needs, and the foundation of early childhood education. Students will learn the fundamentals of developmentally appropriate practice as it relates to child development, individual needs, building self-esteem in children, and using interpersonal skills and communication within the classroom and center. Students will study the function of the family, and the cultural, social, class, and ethnic variations in the family as a social system.
Guiding Children's Behavior
Students will explore how to use 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. Students will learn how to provide positive guidance to young children with challenging behavior.
Child and Family Advocacy
Students will explore and develop skills to advocate for children and families. They will review legislation, social policy, and advocacy techniques. Students will also investigate several current and controversial issues within the early childhood profession, and explore current research on early childhood education issues.
Introduction to Sociology
This course introduces students to basic sociology terms and concepts. Students will understand how to apply sociological concepts and theories and analyze the structure and relationships of social institutions and the process of social change. Students will explore a variety of topics of sociological interest, including socialization, social inequality, social movements, and the impact of technology and social change on society.
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Estimated Program Cost

  •   Full Time Part Time

  • Upper division courses

    Upper division courses

    Upper Division courses are either listed as 300-400 or 3000-4000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $310

  • Lower division courses

    Lower division courses

    Lower Division courses are either listed as 100-200 or 1000-2000 level, depending on the state.

     $299 $395

  • Estimated Price

    Estimated Price

    Price if you are continuously enrolled in your program of study until graduation. Estimated price does not include $150 course fee.

  • Grants
    None Partner Success

  • Discounts
    None Corporate Military

  • Transfer Credits

    How many credits can you transfer?

    0

FACT

Our programs are created to prepare students for careers projected to be in strong demand in the future-giving our graduates increased opportunity to land the job they want.

Job Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 15% job growth for Teacher Assistants over the next 10 years.

  • 20%
  • 15%

Increased Affordability

Continuously enrolled students lock in their tuition rates. 93% of students receive financial aid assistance.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The Federal Pell Grant Program awards between $575 - $5,550 to eligible students based on financial need. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants awards $100-$4,000 (based on availability) to eligible students based on financial need.

The FL Student Assistant grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with FL residency and based on financial need.

The ND state grant is valued at $1200/ year and is awarded to eligible undergraduate students with ND residency and is notified by the state regarding eligibility.

Credit Transfer

Transfer credits to Rasmussen College.

See Potential Earnings

For important methodology statements and disclosures regarding the information shown above, click here.

Information presented on our tuition calculator

GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT RATE

Placement Rate Methodology: 85% of March 2011 to December 2011 graduates available for employment were employed in their field of study or continuing their education as of September 30, 2012. This rate includes graduates across all Rasmussen College programs and campuses working in their field of study or continuing their education at Rasmussen College or another institution. This rate does not specify that each graduate was placed by Rasmussen College in their current position; some graduates find jobs on their own while others maintain previously held employment.

Bureau Of Labor Statistics (BLS)

BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Tuition Lock

Tuition rate is locked in for continuously enrolled students. A change in the number of credits taken during enrollment in any quarter may lead to different prices if a student moves from part-time to full-time status or vice versa.

Federal And State Grants

Students must meet applicable eligibility requirements for state and federal grant programs—please speak with a financial aid advisor for details.

Time To Complete

Time to complete is dependent on accepted transfer credits and courses completed each quarter.

Credit Transfer

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny credits based on policies listed in the college catalog.

Corporate Discounts

Discounts may vary by corporate partner and program. Please contact a program manager for more information.

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Estimated Potential Earnings

If you invested in your degree and started a career as a , the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states the median yearly salary for this career is . At that rate, your estimated return on investment would be over the course of a lifetime.

A career as a is just one career option you can pursue with your degree. Your income potential can vary based on your specialization or industry, and you should explore all your options to find the career that is right for you.

A Degree Matters

Earning an Associate's or Bachelor's degree—regardless of the field of study—can greatly improve your income potential in today's job market. In fact, according to the BLS, degree holders earn, on average, significantly more than high school diploma holders:

National Average Lifetime Earnings**
Unemployment Rate**
Bachelor's Degree
$2,281,040
4.9%
Associate's Degree
$1,763,440
6.8%
Some College
$1,622,240
8.7%
High School Diploma
$1,367,880
9.4%
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**http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acs-14.pdf, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Potential earnings calculated by multiplying median full-time salaries by 40 years http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm

Seamless Transfer Policies

  • Transfer up to 67% of the credits required to complete your degree
  • Credits accepted from nationally and regionally accredited schools
  • Course-by-course evaluation of all courses with a grade of C or higher
  • No expiration of your previously-earned general education and certain degree-specific credits
  • Credit through prior learning, work, and military experience
    • Test out of courses where you can demonstrate specific knowledge
    • Complete advanced placement (AP) exams and achieve a score of 3 or higher
    • Successfully complete college exams (e.g., CLEP, DSST, DANTES, etc.)
    • Successfully submit course waivers for approval from Rasmussen College
    • Submit credits transcribed by the American Council of Education (ACE)
    • Submit a military transcript
  • Transfer all general education courses from your previously earned Associate's or Bachelor's degree, regardless of course of study

**For additional details about the information presented above, please click here.

Information on transfer policies

Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny transfer credits based upon policies in course catalog.

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*The School of Education at Rasmussen College is not accredited by NAEYC.
Graduates of Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen College are not eligible for licensure as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school. A Bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license are typically required to work as a teacher in a public school and some private school settings. States, municipalities, districts or individual schools may have more stringent licensing requirements. Students must determine the licensure requirements in the state and school in which they intend to work.
Child care facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff that work with children, and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience, and professional development. Students must determine the licensure requirements in the state and facility in which they intend to work.

 
 

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