Do you have an interest in preparing for a career promoting language and social development in young children? If so, you may want to enroll in Penn Foster College's Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program. Find out more about this online associate degree program here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Program Is It?
Penn Foster College's associate degree program in Early Childhood Education offers you the opportunity to study the fundamentals of early childhood instruction online while also gaining valuable hands-on training and experiences in a local early childhood education setting. You will complete 30 credits of general education courses in areas of English, psychology, science, math, science, and computers. Education-specific course topics include child development, nutrition, early childhood curriculum development, creating learning environments, infant and toddler care, and special needs children. This program is not designed to lead to teacher certification; however, it does meet the 120-hour educational requirement for those interested in earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.
What Are the Prerequisites?
Students considering enrolling in Penn Foster College's Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program should be interested in preparing for a career working with preschoolers and young children. As an applicant to Penn Foster College, you should be at least 18 years old.
What Are the Course Requirements?
The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program consists of 20 courses broken down into mobile-friendly lessons as well as field experiences. You could complete the coursework in as little as four semesters and the field experience can be completed in 12 weeks. Since all courses in this program are presented online, you will need a computer running Microsoft? Windows? and Windows? 7 or later, high-speed Internet access, and an e-mail account.
Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Courses
- Orientation to Early Childhood Education
- Information Literacy
- Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child
- Essentials of Psychology
- General Education Elective
- Early Childhood Education Site Selection 1
- Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education Site Selection 2
- Child Growth and Development
- Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education Elective
- English Composition
- Computer Applications
- Early Childhood Education Site Selection 3
- Working with Preschoolers
- Infant and Toddler Care
- Science Elective
- Interpersonal Communication
- Play in the Lives of Young Children
- Working with Children with Special Needs
- Early Childhood Education Site Selection 4
- Guidance in Early Childhood Education
- Mathematics for Business and Finance
- Child, Family, and Community
- Early Childhood Education Electives
- Field Experience
What Could I Do After I Graduate?
Career Opportunities
With additional training or certification, you may be able to seek positions in preschools, childcare centers, or schools. While exact education and licensure requirements vary by state, you could consider positions such as:
- Childcare worker
- Preschool teacher
- Teaching assistant
- Special education teacher
Advanced Degrees
Penn Foster's Early Childhood Education Associate Degree provides you with the foundation to enroll in a bachelor's degree program, if you choose to continue your education. A bachelor's degree may be required for some education positions as well as needed to meet the licensure requirements in some states. Some of the related 4-year degree programs you may want to consider include:
- Bachelor of Arts in Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science in Child Development
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education
