Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education
December 11, 2025
January 12, 2026
Overview
The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education provides a strong foundation for a rewarding career, equipping you to work with children and families in various settings. Our completely online program is designed to meet the needs of diverse students. Whether you’re looking to start a new career path or take the next step in advancing your existing career in early childhood education, this program is designed to support your goals.
CDA Credential Benefit:
An active Child Development Associate (CDA) credential counts as 13 credit hours toward the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education, helping you save on tuition and complete your degree faster. This puts you on an accelerated path to advancing your career in early childhood education.
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.
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"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 -
"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.
There is no in-person class requirements for the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Development and Education, this program is 100% online.
Yes, this program’s curriculum aligns with Ohio State’s bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Sciences as well as Primary Education.
The program is structured to be completed in a little over 2 years if taking classes full-time. However, this program is flexible and allows for part-time which would take longer to complete. Speak with an enrollment advisor to discuss a timeline that works best for your schedule and lifestyle.
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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
To apply for the Associate of Early Childhood Development and Education program, students must meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must not hold an existing bachelor’s degree in any field
- Preferred applicants will have a minimum of 12 college credit hours earned post-high school
This program is ideal for individuals with prior college experience, but all applications will be reviewed holistically.
Application Requirements
If you earned your GED we will need official scores to evaluate as part of your application. The best way to order those is to visit this site and request your scores.
- When ordering a transcript from your prior school, request that your transcript be sent electronically and select The Ohio State University as a recipient. In the absence of a list of universities to select, have your school email your encrypted transcript directly to ugdocs@osu.edu. Transcripts delivered to any other email address on campus will be considered unofficial.
- Electronic Transcripts: Many schools use a service called Parchment to handle official transcript ordering. Please check out parchment.com and search your schools. Make sure to select The Ohio State University as the destination. If your school does not use Parchment you will need to visit the institution’s website or call directly for instructions.
- If your school does not offer secured electronic delivery, please have your transcript mailed to the respective address below. Transcripts delivered to any other address, hand delivered by a student, or issued to a student will be considered unofficial. Please verify the address the sending school has on file as many schools have an old address on file which can no longer be utilized.
Standard mail:
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 182646
Columbus, OH 43218-2646
Express mail:
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate Admissions
Student Academic Services Building, Room 604
281 W Lane Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
Ready to apply? Navigate here and use the following instructions:
- Create an Account
- Select Application Type: “undergraduate”
- Select “Additional Populations”
- Search Academic Plan: Type “Early Childhood Development and Education”
- Select the term that you want to start the program, and then click the “Start Application” button.
- Select “College of Education and Human Ecology”
- Under campus, select “Columbus”
- Complete the Application
Have questions on the application process?
Your enrollment advisor is here to help each step of the way.
Is this program available in my state?
Select your state from the map below to view program availability.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
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.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
Work Activities
Maintain case history records and prepare reports. Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs. Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $40,580
- Mid Level: $58,570
- Senior Level: $94,030
Projected Growth
4.9%
Related Careers
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Social and Human Service Assistants
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Administrative
What They Do
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Work Activities
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory. Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement. Communicate nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement, or positive reinforcement.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $38,740
- Mid Level: $62,190
- Senior Level: $132,530
Projected Growth
1.6%
Related Careers
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- Public Safety and Security
- Therapy and Counseling
What They Do
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Work Activities
Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips. Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers. Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $23,710
- Mid Level: $35,240
- Senior Level: $48,140
Related Careers
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education
- Tutors
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
What They Do
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Work Activities
Assist in bus loading and unloading. Assist librarians in school libraries. Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $23,710
- Mid Level: $35,240
- Senior Level: $48,140
Related Careers
- Instructional Coordinators
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
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.
This course deals with the major theories of human development, motivation and learning. Planning of instruction, teaching strategies, assessment and classroom management are examined. Authentic pedagogical practices are used to gain an understanding of the teaching and learning process.
Intro to Young Children with Exceptionalities is an overview of the education and early care of exceptional learners from birth to the early grades. This course will focus on young children whose attributes/learning abilities differ from the norm to such an extent that an individual family service plan (IFSP) or an individualized program of special education (IEP) is required to meet their needs.
Dynamics of family interaction over the life cycle; emphasis on developmental, social, and cultural influences on the family experience.
Study of the nature, nurture, and development of children from conception through the childhood years.
This ECDE course focuses on theories of language development, the sequence of speech and language development and differentiating between normal and atypical speech. Emphasis will also be placed on the teacher’s role in facilitating communication and literacy skills, on planning and implementing appropriate language and literacy activities, and on selecting & using literature to enhance language.
This course is an overview of care giving for infants and toddlers in group settings. Developmentally appropriate programming for infants and toddlers is emphasized across developmental areas through routines, environment, and experiences with a focus on language and brain development. The role of staff and parent relationships is explored as is state rules for licensed child care centers.
This course introduces students to basic definitions, theories, and practical examples of using creativity, imagination, and the arts as means for educating young children within and outside of traditional early childhood educational settings.
Field Work for students who are interested in working with children.
Examines strategies to help promote adaptive behavior in home, school, and community contexts. Students will learn strategies for managing and preventing behavioral problems and develop an understanding of behavior management practices.
Job Search strategies for students including: Self-assessment, goal setting, job research, communication and correspondence, resumes, interviewing, portfolios
A study of student health problems; designed to foster understandings and attitudes needed for intelligent decision-making related to present and future health needs.
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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."
"Once I started honestly I loved it so much that now I've started my Bachelors in Human Development and Family Sciences"
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student, who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student or 12 credit hours each semester as a full-time student. Actual costs may vary. Please note that summer semester instructional and general fees are 75% of the cost of autumn and spring fees, and this will decrease your total cost for the program. Individuals who hold an active Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or Virtual Lab School students who have completed all 15 foundational courses can apply 13 credit hours toward their associate’s degree.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) | Full-Time – Total Cost Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $383.32 | $3066.56 |
| General Fee (Autumn and Spring) | $23.79 | $190.32 |
| General Fee (Summer) | $17.84 | $142.72 |
| Learning Technology Fee | $7.50 | $90.00 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) | $100.00 |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 |
| International Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) | $200.00 |
| Textbook and Course Material | $175.00 (per semester) | $175.00 |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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