Make a Difference in Children's Lives with an ECE Degree

Our School of Education offers Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificates and Diplomas as well as Bachelor's and Associate's degrees. Each credential prepares you to make a profound difference in the lives of young children.

You can earn your ECE Associate's degree for around $16,000 when you apply the CDA waiver, plus the opportunity to save up to an additional $6,000 through the successful completion of up to eight self-directed assessments.1 2 You can also choose from affordable options at the Diploma and Certificate level to put your goals within reach.

In our ECE programs, you'll benefit from:

Flexible, Affordable Options. Fully online learning options designed to give you more control to balance your schedule.
Specialized Learning. Choose a specialized path that fits your career goals by studying Child Development, Special Needs or ECE Leadership.
Field-Experienced Faculty. Learn from instructors with first-hand experience who share practical insights to help you succeed.
Quality Curriculum. All coursework is based on the national best practice standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).3

Our ECE degrees 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 childcare and non-public school setting or leadership role.4

Ready to invest in yourself? Learn more today.

100% online programs
Around $16K in tuition for ECE Associate's degree 1
Support services at every step

"Transferring to Rasmussen University was the best decision I ever made. I recently just graduated with my Associate's, and just started my Bachelor's with Rasmussen, as well. The way that the courses are set up, I am able to maintain a full-time job, while earning my degree."

Gracie F.
Early Childhood Education student

READY TO START

I'm ready for the next step!

It all starts with completing the form. A Rasmussen admissions advisor can then answer your questions and walk you through the application process.

There are some errors in the form. Please correct the errors and submit again.

Contact Information

First Name

Please enter your first name.

Last Name

Please enter your last name.

Email Address

There is an error in email. Make sure your answer has:

An "@" symbol
No spaces
A suffix such as ".com", ".edu", etc.

Phone Number

There is an error in phone number. Make sure your answer has:

10 digits
No dashes, slashes or spaces
No country code (e.g. "1" for USA)
No numbers starting with "0" or "1"

ZIP Code

There is an error in ZIP code. Make sure your answer has only 5 digits.

Program Preferences

Area of Study

Please choose a School of study.

Program

Please choose a program.

Credential

Please choose a degree.

Do you have potential transfer credits?

Yes

I'd like to find out

By submitting this form by clicking “Request Info Now”, you are providing your signature and your express written consent, and hereby agree to receive information via electronic means, which may include a telephone system, an automated dialing system, a recorded message device, soundboard technology, over-the-top messaging, text or media messaging, voice messages, and/or email about upcoming courses, recruitment events, newsletters, and other resources from Rasmussen University. This consent is not a condition of enrollment or purchase.

You may withdraw your consent at any time. Please refer to our privacy policy, terms or contact us for more details.

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.
30 credits in self-directed assessments at $210 per credit = $6,300. Save an additional $240 on books (8 classes x $30 per class in books). Pay $0 for each of eight self-directed assessment tests. Savings cost breakdown: $6,300 + $240 = $6,540 estimated total savings
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.
This program does not prepare students for licensed teaching positions in elementary or secondary schools. A Bachelor's degree and a state teaching license are typically required to work as a teacher in most school settings; however, states, municipalities, districts or individual schools may have more stringer licensing requirements. Childcare facilities and states 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.