Advance in your career with an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from Campbellsville University.
Ranked in the top 50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges in the U.S.
Program Details
Next Start Date: 5/08/2024
Course Length: 8 or 16 Weeks*
Estimated Length: 2 Years
A.S. in Early Childhood Education Overview
The online A.S. in Early Childhood Education prepares you with the foundational skills necessary to help young children build a love for learning. The coursework for this two-year program is 100 percent online and taught by faculty with experience in the field. Graduates also learn through fieldwork that builds knowledge of classroom management, curriculum design and instruction.
An associate degree from Campbellsville University Online will prepare you to deliver excellence in the early childhood classroom. Through the online program, you will gain knowledge in child development, teaching methodologies and other foundational topics in education. CU Online equips you with the global perspective necessary to meet students’ diverse social and learning needs and build inclusive learning environments.
Should you choose to continue your education, you may also apply your associate degree credits toward a bachelor’s and later a master’s degree. Campbellsville University’s education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Education Professional Standards Board of Kentucky (EPSB) for teacher education and certification.
With over 100 years of training teachers, CU offers faith-based education based on the servant leadership model for those seeking to excel and advance in early childhood education.
*The course length may be 8 or 16 weeks depending on the course. Speak to an enrollment counselor for more information.
Course Map
CU’s online associate degree in early childhood education requires 65 credit hours. This includes 12 foundation course credits, 24 pedagogy course credits and 29 course credits chosen based on your goals as an educator. Additionally, 86 hours of fieldwork are embedded in the Foundation and Pedagogy courses. You will complete a further 16-26 fieldwork hours depending on the elective courses you choose.
- ED 199: Entry to Teacher Preparation
- ECE 111: Educational Foundations of Early Education (10 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 130: Child Development I (6 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 140: Guidance of Young Children (6 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 230: Child Development II (6 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 216: Intro to Special Ed in ECE (20 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 270: Observation & Assessment (20 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 280: Approaches to Curriculum & Methods (10 hours of fieldwork)
- ECE 320: Health, Safety & Nutrition
- IECE 385: Infant & Toddler Methodology (8 hours of fieldwork)
Choose three courses from this list:
- IECE 360: Cultural & Linguistic Diversity (10 hours of fieldwork)
- IECE 381: Language & Literacy Methodology (6 hours of fieldwork)
- IECE 382: Arts & Humanities Methodology (6 hours of fieldwork)
- IECE 383: Math/Science/Social Studies Methodology (6 hours of fieldwork)
- IECE 384: Interactive & Assistive Technology (6 hours of fieldwork)
- IECE 475: Organization and Administration of EC Programs (10 hours of fieldwork)
- BA 313: Small Business Management
- ED 371: Children’s Literature
Choose one course from this list:
- CHS 111: Introduction to Old Testament
- CHS 121: Introduction to New Testament
- CHS 130: Christ and Culture
- PHI 241: Introduction to Philosophy
Choose one course from this list:
- ART 110: Understanding Art
- ART 310: Art History I
- ART 311: Art History II
- MUS 125: Understanding Music
- TH 131: Introduction to Theater
- ENG 111: Freshman English I
- ENG 112: Freshman English II
- MAC 120 or MAC 140
- MTH 110, 111, or 130
- PSY 111: General Psychology
- SOC 110: Introduction to Sociology
Choose one course from this list:
- BIO 103: Environment and Man
- BIO 110: Biology
- CHE 100: Introduction to Chemistry
- GEO 105: Introductory Earth Science
Choose one course from this list:
- ECO 110: Introduction to Economics
- HST 110: The United States to 1877
- HST 120: the United States Since 1877
- HST 231: World Civilization to 1650
- HST 242: World Civilization Since 1650
Admissions Requirements
To apply to Campbellsville University’s accredited online associate degree in early childhood education program, prospective students must submit or complete the following:
- Complete the online application.
- Official college transcript and a complete record of all courses attempted from each college or university previously or currently attended.
- If transferring less than 24 credit hours, submit an official high school transcript.
Costs & Financial Aid
The online associate degree in early childhood education costs $424 per credit hour. In order to help students afford their education, Campbellsville University’s staff is available to work with students to discover available financial aid options.
Students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what scholarships, grants, loans and payment plans are available for them. There are numerous options available, and not all financial aid is based on need.
Students can transfer a maximum of 32 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university.
Campbellsville University is a Military Friendly® School and a proud member of the Yellow Ribbon program. U.S. military veterans and service members who are currently serving at home or abroad can further their education in a conducive online environment.
Careers in Early Childhood Education
With your online associate degree from CU, you can advance in several careers in the field of early childhood education. Graduates of this program often pursue careers as early childhood teachers and childcare center directors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, early childhood teachers, also known as preschool teachers, earned a median wage of $30,210 in 2017. Directors of childcare programs, including preschools and childcare centers, earn about $47,310 per year.
Why CU Online?
Focused on Your Growth
Our well-rounded education in the arts and sciences is central to our goal of fostering your personal and professional growth.
Faith-Based Education
Founded in 1906 as a Christian university, we welcome diverse perspectives and prepare students to become Christian servant leaders.
Affordable and Convenient
Campbellsville seeks to provide an affordable education for its students. Our online degree programs are in a convenient format, so you can study whenever and wherever you want.
Accreditation
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.
Benefits of Learning Online
Campbellsville University offers several dynamic online degrees so that students can continue their education and hone their skills. Campbellsville’s online campus has been recognized as one of the best by numerous outlets. The institution’s faculty members have real-world experience in their fields, so students can get a glimpse of working in their prospective career. Students can also conveniently fit online coursework into their busy schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
- Early childhood education involves early care, early education and family support for children aged birth through six years.
- The current early childhood education teacher shortage is expected to grow as the occupation expands by 18 percent by 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This opens the opportunity for many careers in this rewarding field.
- Yes. We offer a generous transfer policy for our online degree programs. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.