Online Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Development
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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 identity in learning and development.
Note: This program is intended for students who wish to advance their career by assuming a leadership or administrative role in an early childhood development setting. This program is not intended for individuals who are pursuing a license to teach early childhood education in a public or accredited private elementary school.
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.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
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
Program Requirements
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.
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.
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.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict between two children. What approach did you take?
- Describe a time you had to address a challenging behavior in the classroom. What were your steps and how did you de-escalate the situation
- How do you adapt your classroom activities to children's individual learning styles and capacities?
- Can you describe a time when you used critical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve a classroom situation?
- How do you collaborate with others to build activities that help children learn?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Child Development
- Preschool Education
- Lesson Planning
- Working with Children
- Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
- Classroom Management
- Communication
- Planning
- Writing
- Problem Solving
- Customer Service
- Interpersonal Communications
- Detail Oriented
- Professionalism
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 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.