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 $15K!3

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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. 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 $15,000, plus the opportunity to save up to $4,000 with self-directed assessments.4 You can also earn your ECE Diploma or Certificate at a reduced price.5 Wherever you are in your career—with or without your CDA^®6 credential—we have an ECE program for you.

Early Childhood Education

Online

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Prep Classes

Training

Online

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

Attend an ECE Information Session

Experience our ECE programs firsthand by attending an information session. You'll get the chance to learn about our national best practices, hear from the department chair and get your questions answered by an admissions counselor.

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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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.

9 Signs You Would Excel in ECE

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.2 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). 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

The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not accredited by the NAEYC Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation. Rasmussen University is not a partner of NAEYC and our programs are not sponsored or endorsed by NAEYC.
Graduates of Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University 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.
Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff who work with children and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience and professional development. Students must determine the licensure requirements for the state and facilities in which they work.
This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.
2020 total student savings calculated based on 22,203 credits earned. The cost of earning the equivalent credits at $260 per credit would calculate to $5.7M. That value is reduced by the cost charged to attempt the test out ($549,524.25) – which reflects the $99 attempt fee applied to the earned credits ($24.75 per course based on an average credits per course of 4 x 22,203 credits earned).
Tuition for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate’s degree is $161 per credit, for new students only. A student who withdraws and re-enrolls will be required to pay the tuition price offered at the time of their re-enrollment. Students who receive the tuition price of $161 per credit cannot use any additional Rasmussen University discounts, grants and/or scholarships. If a student needs to retake one or more courses in the degree program, the total cost of the program will exceed $15,000. Program cost breakdown: $161 per credit x 90 credits = $14,490 + $495 book fees = $14,985 estimated tuition cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.
30 credits in self-directed assessments at $161 per credit = $4,830. Save an additional $240 on books (8 classes x $30 per class in books). Pay $149 for each of eight self-directed assessment tests (totaling $1,192). Savings cost breakdown: $4,830 + $240 - $1,192 = $3,878 estimated total savings.
Tuition for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate’s degree, Diploma and Certificate is $161 per credit, for new students only. A student who withdraws and re-enrolls will be required to pay the tuition price offered at the time of their re-enrollment. Students who receive the tuition price of $161 per credit cannot use any additional Rasmussen University discounts, grants and/or scholarships. If a student needs to retake one or more courses in the degree program, the total cost of the Associate’s degree will exceed $15,000, Diploma will exceed 11,600 and Certificate will exceed $5,931. Associate’s degree program cost breakdown: $161 per credit x 90 credits = $14,490 + $495 book fees = $14,985 estimated tuition cost. Diploma program cost breakdown: $161 per credit x 70 credits = $11,270 + $330 book fees = $11,600 estimated tuition cost. Certificate program cost breakdown: $161 per credit x 36 credits = $5,796 + $135 book fees = $5,931 estimated tuition cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.
CDA and Child Development Associate are registered trademarks of the Council for Professional Recognition.