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Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Make a difference in the lives of infants, children and families
Designed for both full-time students and working professionals, the Associate in Early Childhood Education gives students the skills and knowledge necessary for delivering high-quality early care and education for children from birth to age 5 through flexible, online learning with in-person options.
Through small classes, practical field experiences and partnerships with community early childhood programs, this program helps students advance their careers, facilitate high-quality care, gain real-world experience and join a supportive network of early care and education providers. Students benefit from online, in-person or hybrid learning options, dedicated support from faculty and hands-on learning experiences in a full-time or part-time program.
Delaware residents can apply for financial support through Delaware’s SEED Scholarship program, which covers tuition for full-time associate degree students; Delaware’s Recognizing Individuals’ Success in Early Care and Education program, which covers up to 12 credits of tuition each semester for full-time or part-time associate degree students; and UD, which offers need-based federal grants and loans.
AREAS OF STUDY
Diversity and Families
Foundations of Child Development
Health, Safety and Wellness
Language and Literacy in Early Childhood
Positive Behavior in Early Childhood Education
Science and Math in Early Childhood
BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS
CAREER OPTIONS
Early childhood educator in an early education center or home-based program
Preschool teacher
Director of an early childhood education center or home-based program
What’s special about this program?
Flexible, online learning is a key aspect of the program. Students working in an early childcare setting can complete their field experience requirements at their workplace or on CEHD’s Children’s Campus, at the Early Learning Center or Lab School.
Reach Your Goals
We offer students support academically, socially and professionally. Early Childhood Education associate students gain feedback from peers and UD instructors who observe their practice and provide feedback through video. Courses follow the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards and draw on resources created by EarlyEDU, a federally funded program designed to meet the needs of the early childhood education workforce.
Sample curriculum
EDUC 230 | Introduction to Exceptional Children |
HDFS 202 | Diversity & Families |
HDFS 204 | Engaging Interactions & Environments in Early Childhood |
HDFS 210 | Supporting Language & Literacy in Early Childhood |
HDFS 214 | Child Guidance: Supporting Positive Behavior in Early Childhood Education |
HDFS 223 | Foundations of Child Development |
HDFS 240 | Health, Safety and Wellness for Early Childhood Education |
HDFS 242 | Resilience & Wellness for Educators |
HDFS 250 | Becoming a Teacher Leader in Early Childhood Education |
HDFS 252 | Early Childhood Education: Observation & Assessment |
HDFS 280 | Supporting Learning in Science & Math in Early Childhood |
HDFS 290 | Early Childhood Family Engagement & Diversity |
HDFS 411 | Infants/Toddlers Curriculum |
HDFS 431 | Field Placement |
HDFS 100 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
Creative Arts & Humanities | |
ENGL 110 | Critical Reading & Writing |
History & Cultural Change | |
EDUC 258 | Cultural Diversity, Schooling and the Teacher |
MATH 251 | Mathematics for K-8 Teachers: Number and Operations |
Social & Behavioral Science | |
Science Elective |