What Can You Do With an Early Childhood Education Degree

The Early Education programs at Rasmussen University are not designed to meet, and do not meet, the educational requirements for licensure to teach in public preschools, or kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools in any state. The Rasmussen University Early Childhood Education programs are not approved by any state agency that licenses teachers. States, municipalities, districts, or individual schools may have more stringent licensure requirements and other standards. Childcare 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, background, and professional development. Before enrolling, it is important to understand all of the licensure eligibility standards for a desired career by consulting the appropriate state and school/facility requirements.

If you're interested in making a positive difference in the lives of young children, a degree in early childhood education may be worth exploring. Early childhood educators may have opportunities to foster social, emotional, and intellectual development in children from birth to age six across childcare and non-public school settings. Earning an Early Childhood Education degree from Rasmussen University may help prepare you to pursue your passion in this field.¹

Rasmussen University offers non-licensure Early Childhood Education programs at the certificate, diploma, associate, and bachelor's degree levels; each designed to help students build knowledge and skills relevant to working with young children. These programs do not prepare students for licensed teaching positions in any public school setting, but may help prepare graduates to work with children from birth to age six in childcare or non-public school settings.¹

Typical Career Paths With an Early Childhood Education Degree

The career paths available to Early Childhood Education students may vary depending on the credential level earned. The following examples represent potential typical career paths that individuals may choose to explore. Qualifications vary by employer, location, and experience level:¹

ECE Certificate

• Early childhood teacher's aide
• Childcare worker

ECE Diploma

• Early childhood teacher (in a private childcare setting)
• Teacher's assistant
• Early childhood special education assistant

ECE Associate Degree

• Early childhood teacher (in a private childcare setting)
• Teacher's assistant
• Early childhood special education assistant
• Head Start^® teacher

ECE Leadership Bachelor's Degree

• Early childhood teacher (in a private childcare setting)
• Teacher's assistant
• Early childhood special education assistant
• Head Start^® teacher

Responsibilities and qualifications may vary by credential level, employer and state requirements. Please inquire with your particular state's childcare and early childhood educator qualifications for opportunities in your area.¹

What Skills Will I Gain?

The skills students may develop through an Early Childhood Education program can vary by credential level and specialization. The following are examples of skill areas associated with each program.

ECE Certificate²

• Learning Support: May develop knowledge and skills to work with young children from birth to age six in childcare and non-public school settings
• Ability to Adapt: May learn to help children develop their skills and knowledge across entry-level typical career paths and settings
• Planning and Reflection: May observe and implement developmentally appropriate practices while interacting with children and adults
• Effective Communication: May develop the ability to communicate effectively across the workplace to families

ECE Diploma³

Students may choose between two specializations, Special Needs and Child Development, each with its own area of focus.

Special Needs Specialization

• Techniques for Exceptional Children: May learn to create inclusive environments for learners, including children with diagnosed and undiagnosed special needs

Child Development Specialization

• Active Parent Education and Support: May develop knowledge and skills to help families manage resources through problem-solving methods

ECE Associate Degree⁴

Students may choose between two specializations, Special Needs and Child Development.

Special Needs Specialization

• Promote Inclusive Environments: May develop strategies for supporting an inclusive environment and learn to support young children with special needs and English Language Learners
• Effective Education Techniques: May develop customized curriculum and education techniques to help children with special needs develop their mental, emotional, and physical capabilities

Child Development Specialization

• Infant and Toddler Development: May develop an understanding of environments that foster social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development for children from birth to age 3
• Language Learning and Support: May develop knowledge and skills to help dual language learners acquire language and literacy, and work with families to support children's home languages

ECE Bachelor's Degree⁵

Students may choose the Child Development Specialization.

ECE Leadership

• Ethics and Leadership in ECE: May develop an understanding of ethics and leadership in early childhood education to help run programs, interact with parents, and advocate for students
• Professional Communications: May learn best practices in communication with children, families, and professionals across diverse settings

Child Development Specialization

• Cognitive and Social-Emotional Development: May develop knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices to support children at critical stages of cognitive, language, and social-emotional development
• Identify Challenges, Risk Factors, and Positive Strategies: May learn to identify risks to children's health, safety, and physical development, and explore intervention and prevention strategies

Considering Early Childhood Education Careers

An Early Childhood Education degree may offer an opportunity to explore how you can contribute to the development and well-being of young children across a variety of childcare and school settings. Rasmussen University's ECE programs have offered non-licensure early childhood education options since 1992 and are designed to help students build knowledge relevant to typical career paths working with children from birth to age six.¹

The responsibilities and focus of these careers in early childhood education may vary depending on the setting, the age group served, and the credential level earned. Understanding what you can do with an Early Childhood Education degree may help you decide which path aligns with your interests and goals.¹

¹Rasmussen University, Early Childhood Education Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/ (accessed April 30, 2026).
² Rasmussen University, Early Childhood Education Certificate, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/certificate/ (accessed April 30, 2026).
³ asmussen University, Early Childhood Education Diploma, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/diploma/ (accessed April 30, 2026).
⁴Rasmussen University, Early Childhood Education Associate's Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/associates/ (accessed April 30, 2026).
⁵Rasmussen University, Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/bachelors/ (accessed April 30, 2026).

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