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Self-Directed Assessments & Empowered Learning™
The Certificate, Diploma, Associate's and Bachelor's degrees are available with $149 self-directed assessments, which allow you to show that you already have the skills in a particular course and don’t need to take it. Save time and money with self-directed assessments and other Knowledge Credit™ options.
The Bachelor’s degree is also available with Empowered Learning™, which means you can:
- Access courses anytime, from almost anywhere
- Go faster when you can, and slower when you need to
- Create real-world projects that prove your new knowledge
- Stay connected with faculty and peers in live sessions
For additional information, visit our Empowered Learning™ page.
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Institutional Accreditation & Industry Credentials
Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Our curriculum is aligned with national best practices in early childhood educator preparation established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Rasmussen University is also a proud partner of the CDA®7 credential and Council for Professional Recognition and is honored to be among a select group of early childhood education training organizations to be awarded the CDA Credential Gold Standard Training Certification.
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Carry Your Credits Forward
Our Early Childhood Education programs make it easy to apply your current credits toward a degree. In fact, our ECE Bachelor’s degree students transfer in an average of 93 credits—which is equal to $25,017 transfer credits—helping you save time and money on your way to furthering your impact on children’s lives.4
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Online Courses & Transferable Skills
With flexible online courses and the opportunity for real-world assessments, you’ll learn practical tips about this field and develop employer-valued transferable skills: critical thinking, digital fluency, information literacy, communication, diversity and teamwork, and ethics and professional responsibility.
Early Childhood Education (ECE Degree)
Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, Diploma, Certificate
As an early childhood educator, you have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of young children. Earning a non-licensure Early Childhood Educator degree from Rasmussen University can help prepare you to pursue your passion in education.1 Learn how to foster social, emotional and intellectual development in children from an institution that has offered non-licensure ECE programs since 1992.
You can earn your ECE Associate’s degree for under $15,000,5 plus you have the opportunity to save up to $4,000 more through self-directed assessments.6 You can also choose from affordable options at the Diploma and Certificate level to put your goals within reach.5
Our ECE degrees 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 childcare or non-public school setting or leadership role.
Early Childhood Education Credentials Offered
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Bachelor's Degree
Finish in as few as
18 months1
Learning includes
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
- Empowered Learning™
Intended for
Students looking for transferrable skills to be a lead early childhood educator, run their own early childhood education program or pursue advanced training working with children and families. Students who want a program with fast time to completion, flexible learning options and affordability. Students who desire to work with children from birth to age eight in a childcare and non-public school setting and are driven by a passion for the development of healthy, happy children. Students can choose between the traditional ECE Leadership track or specialize in Child Development.
Prepares you for
Roles including center director, preschool owner, business owner-family childcare, preschool director, childcare administrator, assistant director, lead teacher, program administrator head start teacher or program manager. Please inquire with your particular state childcare/early childhood educator qualifications for opportunities in your state.
While the ECE degree does not lead to public school licensure or certification in any state, it does prepare you to be an early childhood expert.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Associate's Degree
Finish in as few as
18 months
Learning includes
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
Intended for
Students looking for career-focused skills, affordability and, upon graduation, may be interested in laddering their credentials towards a Bachelor’s degree. Students who desire to work with children from birth to age eight in a childcare and non-public school setting and are driven by a passion for the development of healthy, happy children. Students specialize their degree in either Special Needs or Child Development.
Prepares you for
Roles including early childhood educator, educator's assistant, early childhood special education assistant, private preschool educator, childcare assistant, center director or assistant director. Please inquire with your particular state childcare/early childhood educator qualifications for opportunities in your state.
While the ECE degree online does not lead to public school licensure or certification in any state, it does prepare you to have well-rounded knowledge and skills about early childhood education
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Diploma
Finish in as few as
15 months1
Learning includes
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
Intended for
Students looking to enhance their skills or take an initial step into early childhood education and may be interested in obtaining other credentials in the future. Students who may desire to work with children from birth to age eight in a childcare and non-public school setting and have a passion for the development of healthy, happy children. Students specialize their ECE degree in either Special Needs or Child Development.
Prepares you for
Roles including early childhood teacher, teacher’s assistant, early childhood special education assistant, preschool teacher. Please inquire with your particular state childcare/early childhood educator qualifications for opportunities in your state.
While the ECE degree does not lead to public school licensure or certification in any state, it does prepare you to be an early childhood expert.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Certificate
Finish in as few as
9–12 months1
Learning includes
- Online
- Campus Support and Resources
Intended for
Students looking to take an initial step into early childhood education and may be interested in obtaining other credentials in the future. Students who may desire to work with children from birth to age eight in a childcare and non-public school setting and have a passion for the development of healthy, happy children.
Prepares you for
Roles including early childhood teacher’s aide. Please inquire with your particular state childcare/early childhood educator qualifications for opportunities in your state.
While the ECE degree online does not lead to public school licensure or certification in any state, it does prepare you to be an early childhood expert.
Not Sure This Degree Is Right for You?
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
9 Signs You Would Excel as an Early Childhood Teacher
If you've always had the passion and ability to connect with little ones, a career in early childhood education might be up your alley. Find out what you can expect from an ECE degree online and how it can unlock a variety of career opportunities in this fulfilling field.
Read moreExperienced and Dedicated Faculty
Mary Muhs is the Department Chair for Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen University. With over 30 years of experience and many recognitions in the field, she has worked in preschools, in leadership and administration, and in mentoring and coaching. Mary earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education Administration from National Louis University, and is also the published author of Family Engagement in Early Childhood Programs (Redleaf Press).
Turn Your Online ECE Education into a Career
As a Rasmussen University ECE student, you can choose from different specializations to enhance your skills in a particular area of interest. At the Diploma and Associate’s degree levels, you can choose between Special Needs and Child Development. In the Bachelor’s degree program, you can choose between Leadership and Administration and Child Development.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential. Here are just a few examples of where an online Early Childhood Education degree can take you.
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program
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BLS Earnings Data:
- $31,200 10th Percentile
- $37,200 25th Percentile
- $47,310 50th Percentile
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BLS Projected Growth 2020–2030:
11%
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BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
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BLS Earnings Data:3
- $22,840 10th Percentile
- $28,440 25th Percentile
- $30,210 50th Percentile
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BLS Projected Growth 2020–2030:
18%
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BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:
- Associate's Degree
Childcare Workers
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BLS Earnings Data:3
- $18,540 10th Percentile
- $22,640 25th Percentile
- $27,490 50th Percentile
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BLS Projected Growth 2020–2030:
9%
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BLS Typical Entry-Level Education:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
"The fully online courses allowed me the flexibility to continue to work while still attending school."
Ny'nisha
Graduate, School of Education
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
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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. - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed March 31, 2022] www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed March 31, 2022] 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.
- The average number of transfer credits will vary by student. Tuition savings information displayed here is based on the credit transfer data of incoming students who enrolled in the Rasmussen University Early Childhood Education Bachelor's program in 2019.
- 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.
- 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.
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CDA and Child Development Associate are registered trademarks of the Council for Professional Recognition.