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School of Arts, Humanities & Education

Early Childhood Care and Education

Online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education (AA)

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72%Have Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt2

About our Early Childhood Education Program

Discover a new way to serve by making a difference in the lives of young children. An associate’s degree in Early Childhood Care and Education from American Military University (AMU) prepares you to plan and implement programs in public and private learning environments for children from birth to age 5.

Real-life assignments in AMU’s early childhood education degree online program include creating a childcare business plan, planning a parent workshop, and preparing parent newsletters. Our early childhood education courses explore:

  • The principles of early childhood care and education
  • Infant-toddler development
  • Supporting students with special needs
  • Pre-kindergarten education
  • Parenting

This online associate degree program can help provide the education required to pursue the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential, a widely recognized credential sponsored by the Early Childhood Education Training Institution and the Council for Professional Recognition. (There are additional requirements regarding work experience, portfolios, and evaluations that the University does not provide or help meet.)

NOTE: This program does not award professional licensure and does not qualify you to apply for teaching licensure or teacher certification. This program may be helpful in preparing to earn certain professional certifications.

Child Development Associate® is a registered trademark of the Council for Professional Recognition. 

What You Will Do In AMU's Associate in Early Childhood Program

  1. Become well versed in the theories and practice of caring for and educating young learners
  2. Explore current early childhood education trends to ensure you are well equipped to help infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children grow and develop to their full potential
  3. Complete real-life assignments to apply your early learning knowledge and get feedback

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Number of Credits
60
Transfer up to 45 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$360 | $250*
$324**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take the following in this Section:

Course ID: 3734

|
The course introduces students to the art and science of Psychology. Course emphasis is on applying the "science of human behavior" to a variety of settings: vocational, personal, academic, and clinical. Course content introduces the history of psychology, major theories of personality and learning, current research and developmental issues. The course has a holistic approach and integrates the biological basis of behavior, social factors, learning and the unique coping styles of the individual to understand human behavior.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Must take the following in this Section:

Course ID: 5037

|
Information and Digital Literacy is designed to provide students with sustainable and usable skills essential to success in both academic and professional settings. Students will learn best practices to locate and evaluate sources, and effectively communicate using digital literacy to become proficient 21st century learners.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2852

|
Playing third base doesn’t come naturally to most folks; instead, it requires dedication to become good at it. In the same way, learning how to cook or developing a new app takes a lot of time and commitment. As with any new skill, perseverance and consistent daily practice lead to success. And so it is with writing. It’s not the mystery most people make it out to be; in fact, when you get right down to it, writing is pretty formulaic. It’s a series of skills that, once learned, require a commitment to practicing them. In other words, no one is born a great writer; instead, writers learn their craft through hard work. ENGL101 identifies the basic building blocks of writing, and as each new skill is learned, it is practiced in a safe and supportive environment. Come take the mystery out of writing in ENGL101: Proficiency in Writing.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4951

|
Martin Luther King, Jr, said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to KEEP MOVING.” Making Writing Relevant is a composition course that will definitely keep you moving. It is not merely a required course; it is the type of course you will want to take because it moves you onto the path to success. Over eight-weeks, we will help you learn the most important components of a successful writer-communicator. We will teach you how to research properly, knowing you will need this skill in every course you take here at APUS and also in interactions in your professional and personal life. We will teach you the formatting style you will use in your field. We will provide a supportive community to strengthen and encourage you, and by the end of this nearly-all-you-need-to-know-about-writing course, you will be able to fly.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3575

|
This course examines a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies central to the education of children. Integrating a micro-systemic perspective that takes into account internal and external family dynamics, this course will focus on identifying theoretical and applied solutions to the choice of age-appropriate learning exercises
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3576

|
This course examines the fundamentals of infant and toddler development, including planning and implementing programs in group care. It emphasizes meeting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs; scheduling, preparing age-appropriate activities, health and safety policies, record keeping, and reporting to parents.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3693

|
This course examines the family during modern times. Topics include a wide range of issues, including single mothers, fathers, disparities among families, childcare and child well-being, cohabitation, and how these trends affect American family life.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3599

|
This course is an examination of physical, cognitive, emotional and social development in the first 3 years of life. Course topics include developmental milestones, abnormal development and disease, parenting, family dynamics and appropriate care practices and environments from infancy through 36 months of age.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5502

|
This course focuses on theory and practical approaches to understanding and providing accommodations for students with special needs. Students will be presented with an overview of the characteristics of the most prevalent types of disabilities, as well as the laws that protect and best educational practices for children with disabilities. Students will examine the methods to teach, as well as the documents that provide the legal basis for meeting the needs for an appropriate education for this population.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3601

|
This course examines factors influencing child rearing practices in families with an emphasis on developing practical skills for working with parents and children. Topics of study include family systems, communication dynamics, blended and culturally different families, conflict management, custody concerns, factors supporting healthy child development and resilience, challenges to positive parenting and models for effectively working with parents and youth.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3577

|
This course examines formal and informal methods of gathering and analyzing data on children. The emphasis is on understanding developmental patterns and implications for diagnostic assessment and intervention.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Why Pursue a Degree in Early Childhood Development?

What happens during a child’s first years matters for a lifetime—impacting their brain development. Earning an early childhood education degree gives you the chance to help parents, including military families, seeking high-quality childcare.

If you love the idea of working with young children, an online early childhood education program may be right for you. Students join our early childhood education program to gain knowledge about career opportunities in the field or to learn more about caring for their own young children. 

Parents are seeking high-quality early childhood care because those first years of life are so critical for development and for helping kids reach their full potential. Early childhood care and education isn’t about just watching over children but helping them to thrive at each stage of development.
Kathleen L. Mangeri
MA, LPC, Program Director of Human Development and Family Studies

What You Will Learn in AMU’s Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program

Learn from early childhood educators across the country about:

  • Supporting positive growth in early childhood
  • Preparing developmentally appropriate learning environments for different ages
  • Communicating with parents/guardians
  • Understanding different family dynamics that may arise in a childcare practice

 

Growth Opportunities in Early Childhood Education

Lack of access to high-quality early childhood care is a concern for many civilian and military families. 

More than 300,000 active-duty servicemembers have children under the age of six, yet there is a large gap in availability of childcare options. Some 72% of those surveyed in the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey said they needed some form of childcare but 38% said they were unable to find childcare that works for their family. 

The Government Accountability Office also found long waitlists for on-base childcare. This has led to a high demand for professionals in early childhood development. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be roughly 153,100 openings for childcare workers, 56,300 openings for preschool teachers, and 151,000 openings for teacher’s aide/assistants on average, from 2022 to 2032 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed November 2023] 
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm#tab-6
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm#tab-6 
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants.htm#tab-6
Employment conditions in your area may vary.

teacher

Why Earn Your Childhood Education Associate Degree Online?

Online degree programs allow you to attend classes from anywhere with an internet connection, even while deployed. When you pursue your online degree you can gain essential skills while balancing work, family, and other obligations. Participating in a virtual classroom also connects you to fellow students from around the country to enrich your learning experience. 

Online education can open the door to meeting a wider group of people, whether you’re looking to learn from peers or make new connections. Here at American Military University, we have 70-plus student organizations, including one of the largest Student Veterans of America chapters.

Benefits for Military Families

AMU is the #1 higher education provider to the U.S. military and top choice for veterans using their GI Bill® benefit1. As a military-friendly university, we offer special benefits, such as education and career support through the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership.

Affordability
Our degree programs are very affordable. We were ranked in the top 22% for return on educational investment, compared to 4,396 colleges and universities based on data collected by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2025)2. In addition to offering a Preferred Military Rate to servicemembers and their families, we provide no-cost ebooks for undergraduate courses. 

Flexibility
Students also appreciate the flexibility to earn their early childhood development degree by completing weekly assignments at their own pace. Online classes start monthly and run for 8 weeks. You can log on anytime to get weekly assignments for early childhood education courses and participate in discussion threads. 

American Military University is part of American Public University System (APUS). All statistics cited, data, and accolades are current for APUS as of December 2023. 

1 Based on FY 2019 Department of Defense tuition assistance data, as reported by Military Times, 2020, and Veterans Administration student enrollment data of students using the GI Bill® as of March 23, 2023.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
2 Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce report, Ranking 4,396 Colleges by ROI (2025) based on the most recent data available (2021-2022 cohort) showing students’ median earnings 20 years following their initial enrollment at APUS.

How Else Can You Save on your Early Childhood Education Degree?

Explore more ways to save money on your online degree through:

  1. Veteran Tuition Grant program for veterans and their extended families
  2. Possible transfer credits1 for previous academic, military, professional, or other learned experiences. Transfer credits enable you to save time and money toward earning your degree. The University accepts up to 45 credits toward an associate degree. Please contact an Admissions Counselor at 877-755-2787 for complete information.
  3. Scholarships
About our Early Childhood Education Faculty

Our early childhood education courses are led by master’s and doctoral-level faculty from around the country with diverse experiences as:

  • Directors and administrators of childcare programs
  • Head Start preschool teachers or serving in Head Start in an administrative capacity
  • Professional development specialists helping those preparing to seek the CDA credential upon program completion

In addition to their practitioner roles, faculty also have experience teaching early childhood education and early childhood development courses in higher education. They help prepare students with the knowledge to work in: 

  • On-base, home-based, and center-based childcare centers
  • Early childhood programs
  • Private preschools/pre-kindergarten

Helping Servicemembers and Military Spouses Transition to University Life

Founded by a retired U.S. Marine as a distance learning university for servicemembers, AMU is committed to student success. Our roots are in the military, but we are open to all. Our academic advisors are here to provide guidance throughout your time at the University, helping you map out a degree plan, balance your course load, work with professors, and more. 

Military education senior managers at bases across the country are also on hand to help active-duty and veteran servicemembers as well as military spouses with everything from applications to preparing for graduation. 

Through our partnerships with Uwill and TalkCampus, we’re also able to offer all our students 24/7 mental health support in 25 different languages. We also have a University chaplain who has extensive experience working with servicemembers impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. American Military University is part of American Public University System (APUS), which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

An associate of applied science is for students looking to enter the workforce instead of pursuing a higher-level degree. An associate of science degree focuses more on technical and quantitative aspects of child development. An associate of arts degree focuses on the humanities and qualitative content. 

This depends on your academic and professional goals. An early childhood associate degree prepares students with the knowledge to enter the early childhood development field. If you are looking to work as a non-licensed preschool teacher or childcare center director, you may want to earn a bachelor’s degree since this is a requirement for some states. 

Many states and accrediting bodies require teachers to have their CDA credential. Your online associate’s degree in child development can prepare you academically to pursue a CDA credential. 

No. However, if you choose to pursue a Child Development Associate credential, one of the requirements is a specified number of hours of hands-on experience working with children in the age group of your CDA application.

Childcare professionals certified by their military base are able to provide child care in their homes for small groups of children. Military-certified child care providers must meet specific requirements, including:

  • Engaging children in developmentally appropriate activities
  • Providing school readiness as well as social and emotional development support
  • Operating in a safe, warm home environment
  • Securing proper licensing and a favorable background check

To check your state’s requirements, visit the National Database of Child Care Licensing.

Child Development Associate® is a registered trademark of the Council for Professional Recognition. 

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jul 6
Register by Jul 3
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Admission Requirements

  • All AMU undergraduate programs require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED). Please read all undergraduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021

Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and  master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.