Create a Classroom That Promotes Positive Learning
Early Childhood Education Associate’s Degree—Special Needs Specialization
As an early childhood educator, you become accustomed to recognizing children with special needs—sometimes even before their parents. Our Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree with a specialization in Special Needs—available fully online or on campus— allows you to better prepare your special needs students for future learning.
Through hands-on coursework, you create customized curriculum and teaching techniques to most effectively develop these students’ mental, emotional, and physical capabilities. Using the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards as a foundation for our curriculum, your courses also focus on preparing you to apply for your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.*
Create an Exciting Learning Environment
Our fully online or on campus courses in our Special Needs specialization prepare you to effectively and positively teach children with special needs. The knowledge and skills that you gain in this unique specialization, together with your patience and compassion for your students, foster a positive and inclusive learning environment where children of all needs and abilities can thrive.
Our instructors are seasoned early childhood education professionals, and many hold a Master's degree, so you know that the education you are receiving is of the highest quality. 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.
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.
- Advanced curriculum based on national standards established by the NAEYC
- Courses offered on campus or fully online
- Hands-on experience through 540 hours of applied learning
Special Needs Courses
The special needs courses will prepare you to work with students who have faced numerous obstacles throughout their life already. Your instructors will teach you different ways to teach students who have learning disabilities. Your patience may be tested, but the reward of teaching and helping students learn new things will be satisfying.
- Help develop students' mental, emotional, and physical capabilities
- Explore current trends and advocacy on special needs
- Curriculum developed based on national standards
- 540 hours of applied learning
Sample Course List
Advocating for Children with Special Needs
The Inclusive Classroom
The Exceptional Child
Early Childhood Education Capstone
Estimated Program Cost
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.
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$2,281,0404.9%
-
Associate's Degree$1,763,4406.8%
-
Some College$1,622,2408.7%
-
High School Diploma$1,367,8809.4%
**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
Information on transfer policies
Rasmussen College reserves the right to accept or deny transfer credits based upon policies in course catalog.
*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.
