Application Deadline: December 11
Credit hours: 60
Next Term Start Date: January 6
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Overview
Academic Calendar
Admission Criteria
Career Outlook
Curriculum
Faculty
Testimonials
Overview
The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education is your first step in building a foundation for success in a career in childcare by preparing you to work with children and families in a variety of settings. Our completely online program is designed to meet the needs of diverse students. This degree leads to Associate Licensure in Pre-Kindergarten Education (in Ohio*). Graduates are qualified to teach in licensed childcare and preschool programs, and are eligible for associate pre-kindergarten teacher licensure after passing the OAE (Ohio Assessments for Educators) Pre-Kindergarten I and Pre-Kindergarten II tests. Also, interested students can apply ALL of the coursework toward a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science.
For our military-affiliated learners:
Ohio State is dedicated to supporting our military community. Registered Virtual Lab School users who have completed all 15 foundational courses within the Infant Toddler, Preschool, or School-Age track, can use 13 credit hours from the Virtual Lab School towards the online degree in early childhood education, as well as any scholarships or aid available from the U.S. Department of Defense or Ohio State’s military affairs to assist in covering the cost of tuition.
The Associate of Arts, Early Childhood Education program is approved in Ohio and prepares students to teach in childcare, pre-schools, and pre-K programs within a school district. Should a student wish to teach in a school district’s pre-K program outside of Ohio, additional curriculum may be required to meet the requirements defined by the state educator licensing board. Students interested in obtaining a pre-K school district position should contact the state educator licensing board prior to enrolling in the program to confirm requirements.
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See AlsoOhio State General Education Classes You Will Love⋆ College MagazineTop 10 Courses Every Senior Will Pass at The Ohio State University"The wide variety of challenging classes has given me the confidence and training I need to be successful in the workplace."
Mikayla Garrison Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development Graduate
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"I would tell someone if you're passionate about it , this is definitely the way to go. On its own it's a great way to start your professional career in teaching , but if you want to build upon it and pursue your education, that's another opportunity as well."
Rabia Khan Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development Graduate
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find key information about the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development program below.
Official Recognition
Recognition from our partners.
National Veterans Leadership Foundation Alliance Partner
The NVLF partners with universities to enhance experiences and outcomes for veteran and military-connected students.
Collegiate Purple Star Award
The Collegiate Purple Star recognizes those public and independent colleges and universities in Ohio that are supportive and inclusive of military-connected students.
Pat Tillman Foundation Partner
The Pat Tillman Foundation identifies remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses, empowering them with academic scholarships, lifelong leadership development opportunities and a diverse, global community of high-performing mentors and peers.
Related Content
Related Content
Academic Calendar
The Online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education program offers the flexibility of enrolling in three terms each year: spring, summer, and autumn. This schedule allows students to progress through their studies at a pace that suits their personal and professional commitments.
Academic Calendar
The Online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education program offers the flexibility of enrolling in three terms each year: spring, summer, and autumn. This schedule allows students to progress through their studies at a pace that suits their personal and professional commitments.
Admission Criteria
The Associate of Early Childhood Education program is completely online and open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED, making it an accessible pathway for those passionate about working with young children. Students will gain the essential skills and knowledge needed to pursue a career in early childhood education. Whether you’re looking to enter the field for the first time or build on existing experience, this program offers a flexible and inclusive option to start your journey.
To begin the application process you’ll need the following required items:
- Unofficial transcripts
- Professional references
- Personal statement
- Application Fee – $60
Is this program available in my state?
Select your state from the map below to view program availability.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, also known asSARA, establishes uniform standards for distance education for all participating states and institutions. Ohio State joined SARA in 2015, which means Ohio State can offer most online and on-ground courses and programs inSARA member states,districts and territories without seeking authorization in each state.
Career Outlook
The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education program prepares students to work with children ages 0-5 in childcare centers, preschools, and pre-K programs. Graduates can pursue roles such as early childhood educators, preschool teachers, teacher assistants, or childcare workers, helping to foster children’s cognitive and social development. The program also serves as a solid foundation for those interested in continuing their education, such as obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science.
Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.
Curriculum
Graduates of the Associate of Early Childhood Education and Development program will be equipped to identify typical and atypical child development and apply the latest research on physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development to early childhood education.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
Learn More
Program Faculty
Ohio State’s Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education program boasts a dedicated and experienced faculty committed to fostering the next generation of educators. Our faculty members bring a wealth of knowledge from diverse academic backgrounds and practical experiences, including advanced degrees in human development, family science, and education. They are deeply invested in the study and research of child development, family dynamics, and early childhood education practices. With their extensive expertise, students receive a comprehensive education that combines theoretical foundations with practical application, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in the field of early childhood education.
Sarah Lang, Ph.D.
Assoc Dir-DoD CDVLS Research, Department of Human Sciences
Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University (2014)MS in Human Ecology, The Ohio State University (2014)BS in Psychology, The Ohio State University (2001)I am fascinated by young children and particularly interested in the way key relationships in young children’s lives impact their social-emotional development. As a former infant-toddler and preschool educator, I had an opportunity to develop a broad perspective on the myriad of relationships within which children and families function. My published research thus far has taken a family systems perspective, focusing on how individual characteristics of new parents may interact to influence each other’s parenting, and how particular parenting practices may predict children’s social-emotional development. For my dissertation work, I am investigating the relationships between early childhood teachers and families, applying theoretical models of coparenting to the childcare setting. In particular, I am studying how teachers and families understand their relationships with each other, what factors are associated with how these relationships function, as well as how these relationships are associated with family involvement and child social-emotional functioning.
Kelly Purtell
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences
Arya Ansari
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences
Cynthia Buettner
Ph.D. Professor, Department of Human Sciences
Testimonials
From gaining the confidence and training needed to excel in the workplace to discovering a passion for early childhood development that leads to further academic pursuits, our student’s stories highlight the program’s impact. Graduates of the Associate in Early Childhood Education program praise the challenging yet supportive curriculum and the opportunities it provides for both professional and personal growth. These firsthand accounts reflect how the program sets the stage for success in early childhood education and beyond.
"The wide variety of challenging classes has given me the confidence and training I need to be successful in the workplace."
Mikayla Garrison Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development Graduate
"Once I started honestly I loved it so much that now I've started my Bachelors in Human Development and Family Sciences"
Rabia Khan Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Development Graduate
Get Started
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