Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education

The Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Care and Education prepares student-professionals to work with young children in a variety of private and public care and educational settings. This program of study focuses on the fundamentals of early childhood development and the methodologies of planning and implementing programs designed to promote healthy development in children from birth to five years of age.

Completion of this degree does not qualify graduates for teaching licensure or certification.

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DEGREE AT A GLANCE:

    • Number of Credits
    • 61
    • Cost Per Credit
    • $ 250
    • Total Tuition*
    • $ 15,250
  • *(Before Transfer Credit)
 
 
 
 
 
Core Requirements
(21 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
CHFD210
Childhood Educational Development
3 hours

This course examines a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies central to the education of children. Integrating a micro-systemic perspective that takes into account internal and external family dynamics, this course will focus on identifying theoretical and applied solutions to the choice of age-appropriate learning exercises

CHFD212
Infant and Toddler Programs
3 hours

This course examines the fundamentals of infant and toddler development, including planning and implementing programs in group care. It emphasizes meeting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs; scheduling, preparing age-appropriate activities, health and safety policies, record keeping, and reporting to parents.

CHFD225
Introduction to the American Family
3 hours

This course examines the family during the latter half of the twentieth century. Topics include a diverse range of issues, including single mothers, fathers, disparities among families, child care and child well-being, cohabitation, and how these trends affect American family life.

CHFD308
Infant-Toddler Development
3 hours

This course is an examination of physical, cognitive, emotional and social development in the first 3 years of life. Course topics include developmental milestones, abnormal development and disease, parenting, family dynamics and appropriate care practices and environments from infancy through 36 months of age.

CHFD312
Special Needs Students
3 hours

This course focuses on theory and practical approaches to understanding and providing accommodations for students with special needs. Students will be presented with an overview of the characteristics of the most prevalent types of disabilities, as well as the laws that protect and best educational practices for children with disabilities. Students will examine the methods to teach, as well as the documents that provide the legal basis for meeting the needs for an appropriate education for this population.

CHFD331
Parenting
3 hours

This course examines factors influencing child rearing practices in families with an emphasis on developing practical skills for working with parents and children. Topics of study include family systems, communication dynamics, blended and culturally diverse families, conflict management, custody concerns, factors supporting healthy child development and resilience, challenges to positive parenting and models for effectively working with parents and youth

EDUC111
Observation Techniques
3 hours

This course examines formal and informal methods of gathering and analyzing data on children. The emphasis is on understanding developmental patterns and implications for diagnostic assessment and intervention.


Institutional Requirements
(3 Hours)
NAME
DESCRIPTION
CREDITS
COLL100
Foundations of Online Learning
3 hours

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.


General Education
(34 Hours)

Lower Level Electives
(3 Hours)
Electives are typically courses available at your degree level that are not currently required as a part of your degree program/academic plan. Please visit the catalog to view a complete listing of courses.

Program Completion Rates, Median Debt, and More

The following program details are intended to help you make an informed decision about the university that's right for you.

2010-2011 Program Completion Rate
Normal time to completion for full-time student2 years
Graduates who completed in this time44%1
1 Data may be “not available” if the program has no graduates during reporting period or if it has not been in existence the normal time for completion. If 0%, then graduates in the reporting period took longer than the average time, usually because they were part-time students. 91% of our students are employed full time and do not take a full-time course load.
Tuition & Fees as of October 1, 2011 Median Loan Debt of 2010-2011 Graduates
Tuition
(before any awarded transfer credit)
$15,250 Federal Loans3$0
Transfer Credit Evaluation fee
(if applicable)
$50 Private educational loans$0
Graduation fee$100 Institution financing plan$0
Books and supplies$02 
On-campus room and boardNot applicable 
2 The undergraduate book grant provides textbooks, e-books, and other course materials at no cost to students for courses being taken for academic credit. Students must obtain their own software when required for a course or program. 3 This figure does not include PLUS loans or TEACH grants converted to Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans.

For more information on jobs related to this program, please click on the below links to the O*NET website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue a job in this field or related fields. Although career and professional development services are available to students and graduates, finding a job is the individual responsibility of the student. We do not guarantee that any student will be placed in any particular job, or at all.


Total Credits (61 Hours)
 

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American Public University System (APUS) is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association and nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission, Distance Education and Training Council.

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