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Studying for an associate degree in elementary education will help graduates for jobs as elementary school aides. This associate degree can also be the start to earning more education in this field.
Elementary school teachers are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in elementary education to gain teacher certification in most states in the US. This is the very reason why an associate’s education degree in elementary is not enough to provide aspiring teachers with the academic credentials they need to work as teachers in both public and private schools.
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The Lowdown
There are still lots of community colleges that offer an associate elementary education degree. Although these schools can’t prepare students to become licensed teachers, these programs can prepare them for other possible opportunities.
An associate education degree program will still open doors to other careers aside from education. The coursework will introduce students to the various concepts in child development and elementary education, preparing them to be qualified to assist children in learning new skills and solving problems.
Methodology
Our best online Associates in Elementary Education programs were compiled based on these academic features of each of the schools:
- Delivered as an online or hybrid associate program featuring Elementary Education courses that equip students with the competency for entry-level work or undergraduate pursuit,
- It may or may not offer a Transfer Pathway for an easy associate-to-bachelor program transition,
- Taught by well-credentialed faculty members with professional experience as elementary educators or contributors to the field,
- Provides qualified students with a wealth of financial aid options, such as scholarships and federal assistance,
- Features generous transfer credit policies and outstanding student services,
- Offered a two-year community or a four-year college that is regionally accredited,
- Positively reviewed by students, alumni, and stakeholders.
Read our Methodology page to learn how our ranking process works.
10 Best Online Associates in Elementary Education
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University is a public land-grant research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It offers more than 200 undergraduate majors, 278 graduate and professional programs, and 500-plus specializations to cater to one’s areas of interest and academic journey.
OSU also offers an online associate degree in early childhood education and development. Using the Canvas platform, this 60-credit program leads to associate licensure in pre-K education in Ohio.
- Graduates in this online program are qualified to teach in licensed preschool and childcare programs and are eligible for the associate pre-kindergarten teacher licensure exam after completing and passing the OAE (Ohio Assessments for Educators) Pre-K1 and Pre-K2 tests.
- Those who are interested in working their coursework towards a bachelor’s degree can also do so and earn a degree in Human Development and Family Science.
What Makes the Program Unique
Through this online associate degree, students will hone their skills and be knowledgeable in working with children from birth to 5 years of age in both private and public childcare and preschool settings. The degree also applies the latest research on the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development of early childhood education.
Did you know?
The Ohio State University is the online university in the entire nation that has the word “THE” as part of the official name of the school. Every year, all freshmen will take a class photo on the campus football field, forming a Block O, which will bring them together as they continue through the coming years.
Northeast Community College Norfolk
Northeast Community College is a public community college in northeast Nebraska. It has four campuses: O’Neill, Norfolk, South Sioux City, and West Point. The school offers different programs of study– whether you are looking for a certificate, an associate degree, a diploma, or other training programs.
Northeast Community College offers an online Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education.
- The program prepares students to work in preschool settings, child care centers, family home care, head starts, before-and-after-school programs, and as classroom aides and nannies.
- Students will learn more about real childcare settings from experienced professionals.
- This is a 60-credit program that, when completed, students can start careers as teaching assistants, childcare workers, and preschool administrators. However, this degree does not grant a teaching license to associate degree holders.
- Aside from general education courses, the curriculum of this online education program consists of courses like children with exceptionalities, expressive arts, and community and family relationships.
- This elementary education degree online also teaches students to learn how to develop curricula that focus on parental engagement and inclusionary practices.
What Makes the Program Unique
Students of the online associate’s degrees at Northeast Community College are provided with merit-based waivers, financial aid, and institutional scholarships. All students can also take advantage of the dedicated career services that will help them explore jobs, create effective resumes, search for employment, and draft cover letters.
Did you know?
Northeast Community College believes it’s possible to earn higher education and balance high-quality academic and high-impact experiences. All the programs at Northeast Community are made in a way that they are more aligned with the realities of the future.
Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University is located in Loretto, Pennsylvania. This private Catholic university offers more than 60 academic majors and a wide selection of minors, providing students the chance to customize their education. This accredited school’s undergraduate, graduate, and continuing studies program will prepare students to become successful in their chosen fields.
SFU offers an online associate’s degree in early childhood education. This 63-credit associate of arts program can be completed online, although some online students can also take some on-campus courses.
- Students in this online associate will experience real teaching experience– with practical experience connected with theory to practice.
- This early child development online program is handled by experienced university faculty that collaborate with other pre-service teachers and school personnel to achieve the goals of this elementary education program.
- The online associate program is suitable for those with few credits, as well as those with a CDA certificate or no prior college-level coursework.
- Courses within this associate degree program will have easy transfer credits to the school’s bachelor’s degree programs in Early Childhood Education Degree (BA/BS).
- Courses include special education, education psychology, physical education, and more.
- Each graduate is prepared to become a teacher’s aide, a preschool teacher, or a daycare assistant.
What Makes the Program Unique
Saint Francis University accepts applications for their associate’s degrees on a rolling basis. These online programs have two start dates each semester. Associates in elementary education can also take advantage of the different financial aid opportunities, including state-funded TEACH scholarships.
Did you know?
Saint Francis University is the oldest Franciscan school of higher education in the US. The school has earned a notable reputation for creating innovative learning experiences where each student will grow and later on, become someone that God calls them to become.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
The Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private university located in Honolulu, Hawaii. This Marianist school offers associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in 23 fields of studies and five master’s degree programs.
Its School of Education and Behavioral Sciences offers an online associate of science in early childhood education track.
- This is a 60-credit course for students who want to learn how to create practice-informed and positive learning experiences for children ages 2-6.
- The curriculum includes core courses in music, art, child development, creative movement in classroom management, and health and family issues.
- This is a preparatory elementary education program where students will learn about the fundamentals of elementary education.
- This online associate education degree will provide students with hands-on skills by completing a practicum.
- Students who wish to proceed to a bachelor’s degree in education can take advantage of this online education program.
What Makes the Program Unique
The Early Childhood Education program of the Chaminade University of Honolulu is aligned with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, as well as with state requirements. Since this associate education program is offered online, this allows students to fit the instruction into their busy schedules.
Did you know?
The Chaminade University of Honolulu is known for its diverse student body student. Students come from the mainland US, Hawaii, the Pacific Region, and beyond. All its class sizes are small, with a very low student-to-faculty ratio.
From an associate degree in elementary education programs to a bachelor’s degree education, students will professionally develop through research, service learning projects, and research and internship experiences.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public land-grant research university located in College, Alaska, a modest suburb of Fairbanks. This is the flagship institution of the University of Alaska System. UAF has excellent colleges and academic schools and has over 190 different degree and certificate programs in more than 120 disciplines.
UAF’s online associate in applied science in early childhood education. This is a 60-credit program that cultivates the skills and knowledge students need to support the crucial development of the whole child– from the prenatal stages to age eight.
- This online associate degree is perfect for aspiring elementary school teachers, first-timers, or those who are already educated in other areas but still want to train in this field.
- Courses include educational psychology, curricular principles and practices, child and family ecology, special education, and nutrition and physical education.
What Makes the Program Unique
Students in this online associate in education for early childhood will apply their skills through a practical curriculum. This program also has fewer general education classes than most other programs of its kind, thus making it easier for students to transfer credits and transition to an elementary education bachelor’s degree.
Did you know?
The University of Alaska Fairbanks allows distance learners to enroll either in the spring, summer, or fall semesters. The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools Commission.
Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University is a public institution in Russellville, Arkansas, that offers programs for baccalaureate and graduate levels in different fields. Its Ozark Campus is a satellite campus that offers two-year associate programs and certificate education.
ATU’s online associate degree in early childhood education covers many topics, including child psychology, nutritional science, child growth and development, educational theory, and the theories of early childhood education.
- The early education teaching degree online of this accredited school is structured to provide a smooth acquisition of academic requirements for different career levels in occupations related to early childhood and childcare.
- This online associate also provides the basic academic requirements for meeting the assessment guideline for the CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential; and is also an excellent preparatory program for those who wish to proceed to a bachelor’s program in teacher education.
- Associate degree holders of online programs from ATU will have multiple hands-on learning opportunities and field experience.
- This program will also develop the understanding and knowledge of students about child development and learning and prepare them for earning an online elementary education degree.
What Makes the Program Unique
Students can stack their associate of arts in early childhood education credentials with the following degrees: a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Professional Studies Degree in Child Development.
Did you know?
Arkansas Tech University is where you can find the first emergency management degree programs in the world accredited by the Foundation on Higher Education in Disaster/Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Concordia University, Saint Paul is part of the Concordia University System operated by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this private university offers on-campus and online academic programs, ranging from associates to doctorates, so students can expand their career opportunities.
CSP’s online associate degree in early childhood education is the number one most affordable college in the twin cities.
- Through this program, students will meet the stringent standards of the Child Development Associate National Credentialing program.
- This associate is an excellent program to prepare students interested in proceeding to an elementary education online degree.
- This associate in arts covers areas like children’s play and learning, language development and literacy, and the best teaching practices.
- Students will delve further into the role of early childhood and elementary school teachers concerning professional ethics and cultural inclusivity.
What Makes the Program Unique
The program accepts applications with no application fees. Transfer credit evaluation is also free, and there are many financial aid and scholarships available.
Did you know?
Concordia University, Saint Paul, has a very high success rate, with 95% of its students receiving job offers right after graduation.
Allen Community College
Allen Community College is a public community college with campuses in Iola (main campus) and Burlingame. The school offers both in-person and online courses across 60 academic and technical programs.
This community college can earn an online associate degree in education in different tracks: the early childhood education degree, the associate of applied science program, or the associate of arts in elementary education.
- The Teacher Education: Elementary Education program will prepare students to successfully transition to a bachelor’s degree in elementary education by giving them a firm foundation in general education studies.
- This online associate’s degree follows a sequence of recommended courses that will meet the most education-focused degree requirements for the first years of study for Kansas Board of Regents universities.
What Makes the Program Unique
The degree in elementary education at ACC will allow students to focus on their career goals in teaching: either in coaching, special education, or para-education.
Did you know?
Allen Community College has maintained being very accommodating and affordable with lots of educational programs. The resources at this school are extensive, plus the staff is very helpful and welcoming.
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Aurora is a public community college located in Aurora, Colorado. The school offers more than 40 degrees and certificates in transfer and occupational education. Core classes at CCA are guaranteed to transfer to Colorado public colleges and universities.
The online Associate of Arts in Elementary Education program at Community College of Aurora is a transfer program designed for students who plan to transfer their credits to a four-year university or college.
- This online program is designed for students who wish to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at CCA and later transfer to a university to complete their BA with licensure in Elementary Teacher Education.
- This is a 60-credit online program: 35 credits for general education requirements and 25 credits for education requirements and electives.
What Makes the Program Unique
CCA has a statewide Teacher Education Transfer Agreement with other Colorado four-year institutions of higher education, including:
- Adams State College
- Colorado State University at Pueblo
- Fort Lewis College
- Mesa State College
- Metropolitan State College of Denver
- University of Colorado System (Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver)
- University of Northern Colorado
- University of Southern Colorado
- Western State College
Did you know?
Community College of Aurora highly values safety and diversity. They make an effort to celebrate all cultures and make sure that every student knows that they are welcome at the School.
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public community college based in Senatobia, Mississippi. The school offers the requirements students need to prepare for a four-year bachelor’s degree at any Mississippi college and university.
Like most elementary education programs, the associate of arts in elementary education at Northwest Mississippi Community College is designed to prepare students to transfer into a bachelor’s level degree program in Elementary education.
- This online associate will prepare future elementary teachers to teach students a variety of subjects like math, language, arts, and social studies.
- This program also leads to other educational programs that will help people learn how to teach subjects in an elementary education setting.
What Makes the Program Unique
This program is part of the school’s Academic Pathways – a mutual agreement between NMCC and all four-year public universities. Students who complete their Associate of Arts programs can expect all their classes to transfer in-state.
Did you know?
Northwest Mississippi Community College’s online eLearning programs were named one of the top online schools in the country.
How quickly can you earn an Associate in Education degree online?
Most associate in education degree programs take two years to complete and need roughly 60 credits of coursework. However, the time it takes for a student to complete a program will largely depend on the student’s schedule, goals, and motivation. Those who work full-time and enroll part-time will need more than two years to graduate.
How credible are online Associates in Elementary Education?
Earning an online degree in education is your stepping stone toward a more lucrative career in childcare and education. Graduates of two-year programs gain theoretical and foundational knowledge of the field, plus obtain field and classroom experience under the helm of a licensed teacher.
What is the demand for an Associate degree in Education?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in the field are likely to only grow by 1% between 2022 and 2032. For example, preschool teachers are said to increase by 3%.
Key Takeaways
- The associate in elementary education degree is perfect for students who enjoy working with children.
- Those who wish to become full-fledged licensed teachers can transition from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree.
- Most online associate programs last two years for full-timers.
Additional Information:
- Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Best Online Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree Colleges
- Best Online Master’s in Elementary Education
