Rasmussen College School of Education: Early Childhood Degree Programs

Turn your love for children into a rewarding career by attaining a degree or certification in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen College's School of Education! Begin a fulfilling career in the expanding Child Development profession.

Career projections show a 33% expected increase in the number of Child Development professionals needed from 2004 to 2014. (acinet.org)

Classroom instruction is supported by an extensive hands-on externship for 30 hours per week. You'll have the opportunity to earn while you learn at a licensed child care center. If you currently work at a child care center, we'll work with your employer to arrange an externship. If you're not currently in a center, we'll help you find a position.

Child Development News: The Minnesota Department of Human Services and The Office of Higher Education have now classified Rasmussen College's Child Care Specialist degree program as a #4 (teacher qualifications) under Rule 3. This change makes Rasmussen College's program very similar in training requirements to that of a technical college.

The major benefit to our students is that the requirement of hours of experience, working as an assistant teacher, has been cut in half. Contact Bev Bauman for further information.

School of Education

• Associate's in Early Childhood Education
• Certificate in Child Care Specialist

Note: Not all programs are offered at all campuses. Click here to search programs by Campus.

Looking for course descriptions? Click here to download Rasmussen College's catalog.

Career Opportunities for Child Care Specialist Degree Graduates:

• Child Care Center Director
• Preschool Teacher
• Family Care Provider
• Early Childhood Teacher
• Early Childhood Paraprofessional

What It Takes To Be Successful In Child Development:

• Interest in working with children
• Enthusiasm, energy and a lot of patience
• Dependable and caring personality
• Responsible and trustworthy character

What Child Care Professionals Do:

• Work with children
• Plan appropriate educational and development activities
• Provide a loving and nurturing environment for children
• Provide guidance to children in their formative years (birth through age 12)