Online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education

College of Education and Human Ecology

Get the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to set the foundation of learning for the children you teach.

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.

Campus Requirements: 100% online

Class Format: Asynchronous - meaning you can complete coursework each week on your own schedule.

Credit Hours Required: 60 credit hours

Cost Per Credit Hour: $514.58 (includes instructional and general fees).

Admission Requirements: A high school diploma or GED.

Time to Completion: 4 semesters full-time; 10 semesters part-time

Visit College Webpage

Request Info by completing our Learn More form

Mikayla Garrison

Program Graduate

"The wide variety of challenging classes has given me the confidence and training I need to be successful in the workplace."

Tuition and Fees

State Authorization

Application Info

Online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education

Resources

5 Tips to Ace Online Schooling

What's the Difference Between Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning?

The Dos and Don’ts of Online Learning

Sample Courses

HDFS 2200

Family Development - Asynchronous

Introduction to the complex dynamics and multiple influences on family interactions over the life cycle.

HDFS 2410

Child Development - Asynchronous

Study of the nature, nurture, and development of children from conception through the childhood years.

HDFS 3450

Managing and Supporting Behavior in Social Contexts - Asynchronous

Examines strategies to help promote adaptive behavior in home, school, and community contexts.

Featured Faculty

View All

Sarah Lang, Ph.D.

Assoc Dir-DoD CDVLS Research, Department of Human Sciences

Cynthia Buettner, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Human Sciences

Kelly Purtell

Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences

Arya Ansari

Assistant Professor, Department of Human Sciences

Is this program offered in my state?

The selected program is available in the following states

Authorized

Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency

Limited Authorization

Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state

Program Not Available

Researching state requirements to offer distance education

View as table

State/Territory	Status	Description	Disclosures Info
Alabama	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Alabama
Alaska	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Alaska
Arizona	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Arizona
Arkansas	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Arkansas
California	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for California
Colorado	Limited Authorization	Please contact Ohio State Online for more information about the limited authorization status in this state	View Disclosure information for Colorado
Connecticut	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Connecticut
Delaware	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Delaware
District of Columbia	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for District of Columbia
Florida	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Florida
Georgia	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Georgia
Hawaii	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Hawaii
Idaho	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Idaho
Illinois	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Illinois
Indiana	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Indiana
Iowa	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Iowa
Kansas	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Kansas
Kentucky	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Kentucky
Louisiana	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Louisiana
Maine	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Maine
Maryland	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Maryland
Massachusetts	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Massachusetts
Michigan	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Michigan
Minnesota	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Minnesota
Mississippi	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Mississippi
Missouri	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Missouri
Montana	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Montana
Nebraska	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Nebraska
Nevada	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Nevada
New Hampshire	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for New Hampshire
New Jersey	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for New Jersey
New Mexico	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for New Mexico
New York	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for New York
North Carolina	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for North Carolina
North Dakota	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for North Dakota
Ohio	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Ohio
Oklahoma	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Oklahoma
Oregon	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Oregon
Pennsylvania	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Puerto Rico
Rhode Island	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Rhode Island
South Carolina	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for South Carolina
South Dakota	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for South Dakota
Tennessee	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Tennessee
Texas	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Texas
Utah	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Utah
Vermont	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Vermont
Virgin Islands	Program Not Available	Researching state requirements to offer distance education	View Disclosure information for Virgin Islands
Virginia	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Virginia
Washington	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Washington
West Virginia	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for West Virginia
Wisconsin	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Wisconsin
Wyoming	Authorized	Meets state standards to offer distance education through approval or exemption by the state regulatory agency	View Disclosure information for Wyoming