Make a Lasting Impression on a Child’s Life
Earn your Early Childhood Education Degree, Diploma or Certificate
No matter where you are in your career, our early childhood education program can help you prepare for the position that’s right for you so you can really make a difference in a child’s life.
Our School of Education Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is designed to help you start or advance a rewarding career dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families through a combination of traditional courses, competency-based education courses (CBE) and online self-directed assessments.
With Flex Choice®, our ECE Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees can be completed in as few as 18 months1 each and are taught through a unique blend of traditional courses and competency-based education (CBE). CBE is an efficient and innovative way of learning that allows you to adjust your workload to move more quickly or more gradually. Both traditional and CBE formats are flexible, available fully online, cover real-world scenarios and offer faculty support. This helps you transfer the skills you have and master the skills you need. There are opportunities stemming from all levels of education. Whether you’re pursuing a Certificate, Diploma, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree, our online Early Childhood Education program can help you find the path that will prepare you to succeed as an education professional.
1 Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term.
To see how this program can help you achieve your goals:
- Course plan customized for you
- Support and financial aid planning
- Career path guidance with no obligation
Read more about this program
and then request information specific to you
Gain In-Field Early Childhood Education Skills Employers Seek
Through a career-focused curriculum, along with an internship option, you’ll prepare for success applying the insight learned in your studies to your field. Our program is designed to help you gain relevant skills employers seek, including:
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Developmentally Appropriate Practices
Understand how to work with children by using methods, materials and interactions that promote healthy childhood development.
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Specializations
Choose from two specializations at the Associate’s level (Special Needs, or Child Development) and from an optional Child Development specialization at the Bachelor’s level.
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Real World Experience
Internships provide 90 hours of applied learning experience in an early-childhood setting, helping you gain confidence working with young children and families.
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Child, Parent, and Family Support:
Develop skills that will allow you to advocate for children and their families. Learn how to partner with parents and provide support through problem solving and understanding resources for families.
Early Childhood Education Course Work
Our curriculum is based on the national best standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)*. Throughout your curriculum, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as an educator—one who can positively influence children’s lives by promoting the healthy development of their physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and language development.
Partnership with CDA and Council for Professional Recognition
Our curriculum includes a focus on preparing students to apply for their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. Rasmussen is a proud partner of the CDA and the Council for Professional Recognition and is honored to be among a select group of early childhood education training organizations to be awarded the CDA® Gold Standard Training Certification. The certification helps ECE students find the high-quality training and support services they need to prepare for the CDA Credential.
*The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen College are not accredited by the NAEYC Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation. Rasmussen College is not a partner of NAEYC and our programs are not sponsored or endorsed by NAEYC.
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.
Our Grads Work Across Industries
Graduates from our School of Education programs are working for leading industries, including:*
- Child Care Centers
- Early Childhood Education
- Museums
- Public Preschool Education
- Recreation
- Self-Employed Nannies and Teachers
- Social Services
117 Years of Successful Graduates
At Rasmussen College, we’ve been dedicated to our mission of preparing students for career success since 1900.
*Industry information reported by Rasmussen College graduates. This list does not constitute an endorsement of Rasmussen College by the industries shown above. Listing does not guarantee or imply that future employment opportunities within these industries will be available.
Need more detailed information about our program?
- Download program details
- Child Development: Associate's Degree
- Special Needs: Associate's Degree
- View course listings: Certificate, Diploma, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree
- View accreditation
- Download the Education Career Outlook
- Browse other School of Education programs
Program Entry Requirements
A criminal background check is required prior to enrolling in any ECE program. To learn more about entrance requirements and begin planning your ECE career, call 888-549-6755 or contact us to speak with a program manager.*
*Enrolling students also need to pass the Rasmussen College entrance placement exam(s) along with other program-specific requirements.
Ready to Start Your Path in Early Childhood Education?
You'll receive support and financial aid planning, a customized course plan and career path guidance—with no obligation.
Do you have more questions?
How Much Could You Earn as an Early Childhood Education Professional?
In-Demand Career Options for Your Future
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.* Here is the average salary by percentile and projected job growth for education professionals:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed September 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed December 13, 2017] www.bls.gov/ooh/. 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.
* 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.
How Much Will it Cost?
See how affordable your degree of choice is:
Calculate Your Estimated Degree CostWe Help Make College Affordable
At Rasmussen College, we believe higher education should be a successful investment. That’s why we offer affordable options that make earning your degree attainable. See how you can save:
- Flex Choice® learning option
- Loans and Grants
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Corporate and Military Discounts
- Seamless transfer policies
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program:
Want to learn more? Consult with a program manager
Program Page Methodology and Disclosures
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Time to Complete
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Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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Industry Certification Exams
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Rasmussen College will reimburse the application fee for each first attempt of all of the industry certification exams for which you qualify to take. Should you need to take an exam more than once to receive a passing score, you will be responsible for all subsequent exam application fees.