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Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education

A child is painting while an instructor looks on.

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