early childhood education teacher

Online Early Childhood Education Programs

Start or continue inspiring young children’s lives with affordable online Early Childhood Education degrees. Right now, you can earn your Associate’s degree for around $19K! 1

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Online Degrees in Early Childhood Education—RU Ready to Make a Lasting Impression?

Be seen for your full potential as an educator with one of our affordable Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. You’ll gain the industry and transferable skills, or soft skills, you need to utilize your natural abilities and provide a positive environment for young children and their families.

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 the online mentoring and support to help you thrive in this rewarding field

You can earn your ECE Associate’s degree for around $19,000, plus the opportunity to save almost $5,400 more with self-directed assessments.1 You can also earn your ECE Diploma or Certificate at a reduced price.23 Wherever you are in your career—with or without your CDA®4 credential—we have an Early Childhood Education degree online program for you.

Early Childhood Education

  • Online
Early Childhood Education

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Prep Classes

  • Online
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Prep Classes

Not Sure Which of Our Early Childhood Education Programs is Right for You?

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

Our Early Childhood Education 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 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.

Certificate

An ECE Certificate is an ideal choice for students interested in taking an initial step into this fulfilling field and lay the foundation for creating a positive learning environment.

Prospective students who hold a current CDA Credential may be eligible to waive or transfer up to 12 credits into the Early Childhood Education Associate’s degree, Diploma or Certificate programs.

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Education

Early Childhood Development Milestones: What You Should Know

If you’ve ever spent time with young children, you already know they are amazing learners. We compiled this resource to help you understand all of the important child development stages little ones go through and what milestones to look for along the way.

illustration of children's finger paintings hanging on a laundry line

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Early Childhood Development Milestones: What You Should Know

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10 Reasons to Pursue Your ECE Degree at Rasmussen

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10 Reasons to Pursue Your ECE Degree at Rasmussen

Learning online might be a new experience for you, so we want to give you a good picture of what it could be like. The more you understand about the nuances of online Education degrees, the better!

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Empowered Learning® and Knowledge Credit®

Online Empowered Learning® allows you to learn by doing and manage your pace in your online degree 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.5 Find out more about your Knowledge Credit® options.

Our History of School of Education Degrees

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 School of Education curriculum development is based on the national best practice standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).6 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

You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Tuition for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate’s degree is $210 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 $210 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 $19,395. Program cost breakdown: $210 per credit x 90 credits = $18,900 + $495 book fees = $19,395 estimated program cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.

    Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
  2. Tuition for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma is $210 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 $210 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 $15,030. Program cost breakdown: $210 per credit x 70 credits = $14,700 + $330 book fees = $15,030 estimated program cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.

    Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
  3. Tuition for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate is $210 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 $210 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 $7,695. Program cost breakdown: $210 per credit x 36 credits = $7,560 + $135 book fees = $7,695 estimated program cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.

    Learn more about the financial aid cost of attendance (COA).
  4. CDA and Child Development Associate are registered trademarks of the Council for Professional Recognition.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.