What Are Top Schools for a Child Development Associate Degree?

<h2 id="section---HowToChooseATopSchoolInChildDevelopment">How to Choose a Top School in Child Development</h2> <p>When choosing a top school in child development, look for schools that are accredited or ranked. Also search for schools that have childcare centers that feed directly into the program. Many schools offer associate's degree programs that prepare prospective students to continue their education with a bachelor's degree. </p> <h2 id="section---TopSchoolsWithChildDevelopmentPrograms">Top Schools with Child Development Programs</h2> <h3 id="section---LansingCommunityCollegeInMichigan"> Lansing Community College in Michigan</h3> <p>Lansing Community College (LCC) offers an Associate in Applied Arts in Child Development that is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This program prepares students for the national child development associate (CDA) credential from the National Council for Professional Recognition. Program courses include foundations of early childhood education, children's literature, and child guidance and communication. Students also complete several semester hours of on-site work at child care facilities. Associate's degree programs offered include: </p> <ul><li>Child Development Associate in Arts Degree </li></ul><h3 id="section---OhioUniversityAtAthens">Ohio University at Athens</h3> <p>Ohio University (OU) offers an Associate in Applied Science in Child Development through its Patton College of Education. This program, which is available at OU's Lancaster, Southern and Athens campuses, meets the state of Ohio's requirements for associate teacher licensure in pre-kindergarten. Students can gain hands-on experience at the Child Development Center on the Athens campus. Ohio University was ranked #91 among top public national universities in 2019 by <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>. Available programs in offering an associate's degree in child development include: </p> <ul><li>Associate of Applied Science in Child Development </li></ul><h3 id="section---CuyamacaCollegeInElCajonCalifornia">Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, California</h3> <p>Cuyamaca College offers an Associate in Science in Child Development. Students enrolled in this degree program take courses in child growth and development, art for child development, music and movement for child development and safety and health for teachers of young children. Child development students also select at least one of two areas of emphasis: preschool children or infants and toddlers. Cuyamaca College has an on-campus child development center where students can gain experience working with children. Programs in child development include: </p> <ul><li>Associate in Science in Child Development </li></ul><h2 id="section---MoreSchoolsWithChildDevelopmentPrograms">More Schools with Child Development Programs</h2> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> College/University </th><th> Institution Type </th><th> Location</th><th>Estimated Undergrad In-State Tuition*</th></tr> <tr><td> Aims Community College </td><td> 2-year, Public</td><td> Greeley, CO</td><td>$3,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Belmont College</td><td> 2-year, Public</td><td> Saint Clairsville, OH</td><td>$4,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Chattanooga State Community College</td><td> 2-year, Public</td><td> Chattanooga, TN</td><td>$4,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Central Arizona College </td><td> 2-year, Public </td><td> Coolidge, AZ</td><td>$2,500</td></tr> <tr><td> Edison State Community College</td><td> 2-year, Public</td><td> Piqua, OH</td><td>$5,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Grayson College </td><td> 2-year, Public </td><td> Denison, TX</td><td>$3,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Mesa Community College</td><td> 2-year, Public </td><td> Mesa, AZ</td><td>$2,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Nashville State Community College </td><td> 2-year, Public </td><td> Nashville, TN</td><td>$4,000</td></tr> <tr><td> San Antonio College </td><td> 2-year, Public</td><td> San Antonio, TX</td><td>$6,000</td></tr> <tr><td> Pulaski Technical College </td><td>2-year, Public</td><td> Little Rock, AR</td><td>$5,000</td></tr> </table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>