An associate’s degree in child development prepares individuals for entry-level jobs in various childcare professions, in addition to serving as a solid first step for those wishing to continue their studies and earn a four-year degree in education. Options for immediate job placement with this degree include Head Start programs, day cares, or church-related programs. Graduates can also work under a certified teacher in the classroom. Earning this degree online is optimal, so that students can have a flexible schedule and study from the comfort of their home. These are the top 10 online child development associate degree options, chosen by their affordability.
The top 10 affordable associate’s degrees in child development online are:
- St. Phillips College
- Foothill College
- Northern Oklahoma College
- Butte College
- Western Oklahoma State College
- Redlands Community College
- Grayson College
- Arkansas Tech University
- Hennepin Technical College
- Murray State College
10. Murray State College
Tishomingo, Oklahoma
Associate of Arts in Child Development Online
Associate of Applied Science in Child Development Online
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At Murray State college, students can choose between two online associate’s degrees in child development. Both degree programs have a similar curriculum, but the Associate of Arts degree has more general education classes, and is a good option for those wishing to continue their education in the field. The Associate of Applied Science option is designed to prepare students for careers in child development services, as well as provide those already employed in the field with the opportunity to update their skills and increase their knowledge. Both programs require between 62-65 credit hours.
Tuition: $11,452
9. Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Associate of Science in Child Development Online
Associate in Applied Science in Child Development Online
Hennepin Technical College offers two associate’s degrees in child development, both of which can be completed 100% online. The AS degree option is a good fit for students who may want to continue on to a 4-year institution. The 60 credits are split up evenly with 30 general education credits and 30 technical credits. Students will learn to provide safe, healthy environments for children, plan appropriate activities, and expand and update their own knowledge. The AAS program has a similar curriculum, but is designed specifically to provide the students with readiness for immediate job entry. The AAS program consists of 16 general education credits and 44 technical credits.
Tuition: $11,190
8. Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, Arkansas
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education Online
The online associate’s degree program in child development at Arkansas Tech offers students an affordable option for earning their degree with the intention of either continuing on to a 4-year program, or entering the workplace immediately. The curriculum aims to present the students with a thorough understanding of all aspects of child development. The 60 credit hours include 35 general education credits and 25 degree specific credits, including a practicum.
Tuition: $10,537
7. Grayson College
Denison, Texas
Online Associate’s in Child Development
At Grayson College, the Child Development Department offers various degrees and certificates, including an online associate’s degree in child development. This 60-credit-hour program explores child growth and development, as well as providing a strong education foundation for all children, with an emphasis on birth to 8 years of age. Beginning with the first semester, students spend time in an actual classroom both working and learning. Students graduate prepared for entry into a variety of careers involving childcare.
Tuition: $9,518
6. Redlands Community College
El Reno, Oklahoma
Online Associate’s in Child Development
Redlands Community College recently added an online associate’s degree in child development. This new, affordable program is designed to thoroughly prepare child development professionals to immediately begin a job in the field. The 61 credit program combines 18 general education credits with 31 major-specific credits and 9 elective credits, chosen by the students based on interest.
Tuition: $8,076
5. Western Oklahoma State College
Altus, Oklahoma
Online Associate’s in Child Development
Western Oklahoma State offers an associate’s degree in Child Development that is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. Students will be fully equipped for jobs in programs such as Head Start or daycares, church-related programs, or even as a teacher’s assistant in the classroom. This affordable associate’s degree requires the completion of 60 credit hours – 18 of which are general education courses, and the remaining are a combination of specialty courses and electives.
Tuition: $8,006
4. Butte College
Oroville, California
Associate of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development for Transfer Online
At Butte College, students can take advantage of an affordable associate’s degree program designed for students intending to continue to a 4 year program. The curriculum teaches students to embrace the practitioner-scholar model, supporting the growth of the knowledge and skills essential to the health and development of children in diverse situations. The 60 credit program is part of the school’s Child Development and Family Relations department, and includes 20 major specific credits.
Tuition: $7,613
3. Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, Oklahoma
Online Associate’s in Child Development
Northern Oklahoma offers an associate’s degree in child development which can be completed at one of their campuses, or entirely online. This affordable 61 credit program prepares students to work in the childcare field, as well as to obtain all certificates necessary to enter the workplace. The program emphasizes an understanding of the emotional, cognitive, physical and social development of infants through preschool age children.
Tuition: $7,113
2. Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, California
Associate of Arts in Child Development Online
At Foothill College, students can obtain an affordable associate’s degree in Child Development while studying entirely online. Upon completion, students will be ready to meet the entry level workplace requirements, as well as be fully prepared to obtain a California Child Development permit. Graduates of this AA program can also choose to transfer to a 4 year program. Foothill requires 90 credits for all associate degree programs, 43 of which are core classes related to the child development program.
Tuition: $6,662
1. St. Philip’s College
San Antonio, Texas
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood and Family Studies Online
St. Philip’s College offers a cheap online associate’s degree that prepares students to immediately and effectively enter the childcare workplace. This degree program, which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, specifically prepares graduates to work with children ages 0-8 and their families. The 60 credit program requires 16 hours of internship, completed in the last semester of the program.
Tuition: $6,340
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