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Online Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Development

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Earn Your Degree as Early as:
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Ways to Save on Tuition
Career Outcomes
18
Total Courses
$371
Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
15–18 Hours/Week
Course Effort

Associate’s in Early Childhood Development Overview

Come back and move forward in a rewarding education career. Earn your degree in early childhood development online and be ready to make a difference in young children’s lives.

  • Gain the introductory knowledge and skills to work with children (birth through age 8) and families in early childhood settings, or further your current career in the early childhood development field.
  • Learn to create effective learning environments for young children, including supporting their growth and development, building inclusive classrooms, and addressing health and nutrition needs.
  • Get a head start on your next degree — apply your AAS in Early Childhood Development credits toward our BS in Early Childhood Administration in the future.

Gain the Skills That Employers — and Children — Need

  • Bring knowledge and theory from the classroom into real-world early childhood settings.
  • Plan lessons for young children and their families.
  • Help strengthen family and community relationships.
  • Apply professional standards, values, and practices.
  • Understand the importance of individuality and cultural diversity in learning and development.

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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What Courses Will I Take?

The associate’s in early childhood development curriculum connects applied theory to practice, ethics, and professionalism. It also helps you develop the critical thinking and communication skills you need to fulfill the responsibilities of early child care development roles in a variety of learning environments.

Sample Courses

  • Early Childhood Curriculum Planning
  • Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health
  • Creative Activities for Young Children
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  • Young Children With Special Needs
See All Early Childhood Courses

Program Requirements

3
Core Courses
10
Major Courses
5
Elective Courses
18
Total Courses
90
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

3-Week Trial

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

How It Works

Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.

Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Prepare for the Child Development Associate Credential

The course CE101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education meets the ten hours of training in each of the eight Child Development Associate (CDA) subject areas that are required for the highly regarded CDA credential. Many states require the CDA Credential for those who wish to take on a director of child development role.

The eight areas include:

  • Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
  • Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
  • Supporting children’s social and emotional development
  • Building productive relationships with families
  • Managing an effective program operation
  • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
  • Observing and recording children’s behavior
  • Understanding the principles of child development and learning

Earn Credit for the CDA Credential

If you’ve already earned your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, you may be eligible for credit toward your degree. Students who hold a valid and current CDA credential (preschool, infant-toddler, or family child care) are eligible to receive this credit for the following Purdue Global courses:

  • CE101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education — 5 quarter credits
  • CE114: Early Childhood Development — 5 quarter credits
  • CE220: Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health — 5 quarter credits

For more information on the CDA, see the Council for Professional Recognition website.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Take the Next Step in Your Education and Career

Reach Your Professional Goals Sooner

Earning your associate’s degree in early childhood development can have an immediate impact on your career. It also lays the groundwork for advancing to a Purdue Global bachelor’s degree.

Get a Head Start on Your Bachelor's

Coursework from the AAS in Early Childhood Development is 100% transferrable into Purdue Global’s online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Prior Work Experience Reduction

You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Career Opportunities

Earning your AAS in Early Childhood Development online at Purdue Global prepares you to pursue a number of careers in the field, such as child care program specialist, preschool assistant teacher, and preschool teacher (except special education). Potential employers include Head Start and school readiness programs, local preschools, early intervention programs, and child care organizations.

Average Salary

Range

General labor market and salary data are provided by Lightcast and may not represent the outcomes experienced by Purdue Global graduates in these programs. Purdue Global graduates in these programs may earn salaries substantially different or less than the amounts listed above. Salary and employment outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, education, and opportunities for employment that are outside of Purdue Global's control.

Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

54%

Faculty members who hold a doctorate

484

Faculty publications in 2022–2023

More Than 40,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2022–2023

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2023. 2022–2023 academic year.

Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with an associate’s degree in early childhood development.

View Brochure

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Estimated Graduation Date and Average Completion: Estimated graduation date is based on the assumption that you will enroll in time to begin classes on the next upcoming start date, will remain enrolled for each consecutive term, and will maintain satisfactory academic standing in each term to progress toward completion of your program. Completion time is based on a full-time schedule. Programs will take longer for part-time students to complete.

Credit for Prior Learning: Purdue Global does not guarantee transferability of credit. See the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

Future Programs: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

Three-Week Trial: Students who inform Purdue Global they do not wish to pursue the program during the 3-week trial will not be charged. Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial, and will need to meet other specific requirements. Classes will be applied toward a degree if satisfactorily completed and students select to continue their studies at Purdue Global. No credits are earned if the student withdraws during the introductory period (3 weeks for new qualifying undergraduate students), which begins day one of the first term. Graduate programs and BS in Professional Flight not included. Additional terms may apply to international and non-U.S. citizen students. For further information, see the University Catalog.