Make a Greater Difference with an Affordable Degree
Qualified Members Could Earn an ECE Associate's Degree for Around $10,000 7
With Rasmussen University, qualified Teaching Strategies Teacher Members, Coach Members, and Quorum® eLearning1 Members can apply what they already know to maximize savings and minimize time to completion. You may be eligible to earn your Rasmussen University ECE Associate’s degree for around $10,000:7
- Earn up to 30 credits by successfully completing self-directed assessments to show you don’t need to take a specific course
- Obtain a course waiver for up to 12 credits for already having your Child Development Associate® (CDA®) credential 8
If you're interested in other Rasmussen University programs, you may be eligible for a Corporate Grant to save up to 35% on the ECE Bachelor’s program or up to 20% on other eligible programs.6
Our ECE programs do not prepare students for licensed teaching positions in any public school setting, but students will have the opportunity to help shape the futures of young children from birth to age six in a non-public school setting or leadership role.
Early childhood educators in the Washington, DC, area might be eligible for a scholarship through the DC LEAD program. With this scholarship, you could pursue your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at no out-of-pocket cost! These online degree programs make working-while-learning more convenient. If you work in the DC metro area, check out the DC LEAD program for more information.
Associate’s Degree
Make a positive difference in the lives of children as a well-equipped early childhood educator—earn your Associate’s degree in as few as 18 months. 3 With career-focused learning and flexible online courses, our Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education prepares you to meet the academic requirements for the CDA credential application. And if you already have your CDA, you can request a course waiver for up to 12 credits, allowing you to finish in as few as 15 months. 3 Just provide your certificate to the Council for Professional Recognition. Students can specialize their degree in either Special Needs or Child Development.
Bachelor’s Degree
Whether you're looking to advance your career in a childcare center, lead your own program or become a program director, this non-licensure Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education will help you further develop your leadership and administration skills. 5 Bachelor's students can choose between the traditional ECE Leadership track or specialize in Child Development. Finish in as few as 18 months 3 with a combination of online courses and self-directed assessments, which can enable you to skip a number of courses by showing you know the content.
Take the Next Step
The path to higher education is ready for you. Classes start soon, but our convenient form makes it easy to register and start your journey in a Rasmussen University ECE program.
| Quarter | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring '24 | Term 1 Term 2 |
April 1, 2024 May 8, 2024 |
| Summer '24 | Term 1 Term 2 |
July 1, 2024 August 7, 2024 |
“Rasmussen had the most flexible and fast-paced option for someone with a family lifestyle. My goal is to help prepare children to give them a head start. The more I learn, the better I can do that.”
Kayla S.
ECE Graduate
Additional Support
Supporting Your Education
Rasmussen University makes it easy to navigate the ins and outs of taking college courses. With support services, you’re connected to the answers, planning and resources you need to be successful. Count on our peer tutors, mentors, librarians, financial aid experts and others on your support team.
Whom Should I Contact if I Have Additional Questions?
If you have questions or want to learn more, contact Mackenzie McFadden at Mackenzie.mcfadden@Rasmussen.edu or 320-761-4625.
I'm ready for the next step!
It all starts with completing the form. A Rasmussen University admissions advisor can then answer your questions and walk you through the application process.
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The Teacher Membership, the Coach Membership, and Quorum® are products of Teaching Strategies, LLC.
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Students with tuition rates at or lower than $248 per credit for full-time rates and $321 per credit for part-time rates are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University. Students enrolling in the Master of Science in Nursing degree program on or after January 2, 2023, may be eligible for institutional grants regardless of program or course tuition rate provided they meet all other applicable terms and conditions for the grants. Students enrolled in the Nursing Post-Graduate Certificates in Nursing Education, Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics or Nursing Leadership and Administration are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University. In order to qualify for the grant, all admission requirements must be completed, and enrolling students must provide proof of eligibility by submitting proof of employment. Students cannot receive both corporate and military grants. For additional details visit: rasmussen.edu/tuition/.
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Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and number of courses completed each term.
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The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not accredited by the NAEYC Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation. Rasmussen University is not a partner of NAEYC, and our programs are not sponsored or endorsed by NAEYC. Graduates of Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not eligible for licensure as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school. A Bachelor’s degree and a state teaching license are typically required to work as a teacher in a public school and some private school settings. States, municipalities, districts or individual schools may have more stringent licensing requirements. Students must determine the licensure requirements in the state and school in which they intend to work. Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff who work with children and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience and professional development. Students must determine the licensure requirements for the state and facilities in which they work. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state-issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.
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This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.
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Students with tuition rates at or lower than $248 per credit for full-time rates and $321 per credit for part-time rates are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University. Students enrolling in the Master of Science in Nursing degree program on or after January 2, 2023, may be eligible for institutional grants regardless of program or course tuition rate provided they meet all other applicable terms and conditions for the grants. Students enrolled in the Nursing Post-Graduate Certificates in Nursing Education, Healthcare Technology, Simulation and Informatics or Nursing Leadership and Administration are not eligible for any grants or scholarships offered by the University. In order to qualify for the grant, all admission requirements must be completed, and enrolling students must provide proof of eligibility by submitting proof of association/organization membership. Students cannot receive both corporate and military grants. For additional details visit: rasmussen.edu/tuition.
- Tuition for the ECE Associate’s degree program is $210 per credit for qualified students. A student who withdraws and re-enrolls will be required to pay the tuition price offered at the time of their re-enrollment. Students who receive the tuition price of $210 per credit cannot use any additional Rasmussen University discounts, grants and/or scholarships. If a student needs to retake one or more courses in the degree program, the total cost of the program will exceed $19,395. Program cost and estimated time to completion assume successful completion of up to eight self-directed assessments and the 12-credit CDA waiver, totaling up to 42 credits taken off the original 90 credits, bringing the total credits to 48 and total estimated cost to $10,290. Breakdown: $10,080 in tuition (48 credits) + $210 in book fees = $10,290 in estimated program cost. Program availability varies by campus and state; please see the Rasmussen University Catalog for details.
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CDA and Child Development Associate are registered trademarks of the Council for Professional Recognition.