early childhood education teacher

Education Programs

Let our affordable Education programs help you make a lasting impression on children’s lives. Right now, you can earn your Associate’s degree for under $19K! 1

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Choose Your Online Education Program

Online courses in our affordable Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs provide the education and transferable skills, or soft skills, you need to help you get the career you want. With over 20 years of designing and teaching online courses, we're not new to online education. You can better balance work, life and school with flexible learning option and online mentoring.

Utilize your natural abilities to provide a positive environment for young children and their families. You can earn your ECE Associate’s degree for under $19,000, plus the opportunity to save almost $5,200 more with self-directed assessments. 2 You can also earn your ECE Diploma or Certificate at a reduced price.34 Wherever you are in your career—with or without your CDA®5 credential—we have an ECE program for you.

Not Sure Which Early Childhood Education Program Is Right for You?

Another good place to start is to ask yourself how you want your ECE courses to make a positive impact on children’s lives. All of our ECE degree program options prepare students to work with children from birth to preschool.

Our ECE programs do not prepare students for licensed teaching positions in any public-school setting, but students will have the opportunity to help shape the futures of young children from birth to age six in a non-public school setting or leadership role.

Bachelor’s Degree

If you’re interested in a leadership role, our ECE Bachelor’s degree program will help you learn advanced practices and gain essential experience. You’ll have the choice to specialize in either ECE Leadership or Child Development in order to help grow young minds and lead the families and organizations that support them.

Diploma and Associate’s Degree Specializations

At the ECE Diploma and Associate’s degree levels, you have the choice of two specializations. Choose the Child Development specialization to pursue your interest in the foundations of child growth and developmentally appropriate practices. Alternatively, choose the Special Needs specialization to follow your calling and learn how to support children with exceptional needs in a group child care setting.

Diploma or Certificate

An ECE Certificate or Diploma is an ideal choice for someone looking to take an initial step into this fulfilling field. Prospective students who hold a current CDA Credential may be eligible to waive or transfer up to 12 credits into this Early Childhood Education program.

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Education

9 Signs You Would Excel as an Early Childhood Teacher

Maybe you grew up playing “school” with your siblings or friends. Maybe you’ve been told you’re good with kids and you would enjoy teaching.

You’ve wondered whether a career in education might be a good fit for you, but you’re not sure.

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Teacher standing at table with a row of children working on an art project.
Four ECE teachers sit with toddlers in their laps in a daycare classroom environment

10 Reasons to Pursue Your ECE Degree at Rasmussen

If you are considering online early childhood education degree programs, consider these factors. The more you understand about the nuances of an ECE online program, the better!

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Empowered Learning™ and Knowledge Credit™

Online Empowered Learning allows you to learn by doing and manage your pace while staying connected with faculty and peers. Learn more about how Empowered Learning helps you take control of your education.

Save time and money with Knowledge Credit through transfer credits, credit for prior learning and self-directed assessments. These $149 assessments allow you to prove that you already have the knowledge for a particular course and don't need to take it. Students have saved more than $5.2 million through self-directed assessments.6 Find out more about your Knowledge Credit options.

About Us

An Early Childhood Education degree from Rasmussen University helps prepare you to make a positive and profound difference in the lives of young children and their families. Our curriculum was developed based on the national best practice standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).7 Since 1992, our curriculum has prepared students to impact the lives of children, gaining the knowledge and skills needed for success as an educator. In each credential, you’ll learn to promote the healthy development of a child’s physical, social, emotional, intellectual and language development.

"The fully online courses allowed me the flexibility to continue to work while still attending school."

Ny'nisha
Graduate, School of Education

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