Associate of Child Care: Degree Overview
While not legally mandatory for child care workers, an associate degree is commonly required by employers in the industry. Students in these programs are trained in child development and get practical experience in a child care center.
Associate of Child Care
Graduates of associate degree programs in child care, sometimes called child development or early childhood education, should be prepared to work with young children in schools or day care centers. They also might start their own child care businesses. An associate degree program in child care is a 4- or 5-semester course of study offered by vocational/technical schools and community colleges. Students learn about practical aspects of running a child care business, such as safety practices and administrative procedures, as well as about educational topics, such as language development and working with special-needs children. A student must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate to enroll in an Associate of Child Care program, and some schools require placement tests.
Course Topics
Students take courses in various aspects of early childhood education and child development. Business management skills pertinent to running a child care center also might be taught. Additionally, students gain experience working directly with children. Course topics usually include the following:
- Nutrition for young children
- Technology for educators
- Special needs children
- Language arts
- Curriculum for early childhood education
- Recognizing child abuse
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that jobs for child care workers could increase by 11% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). The BLS attributed this anticipated growth in part to increased emphasis on the importance of education programs for young children. The median salary for child care workers in May 2010 was $19,300, the BLS reported.
Professional Certification and Continuing Education
According to the BLS, some employers prefer to hire child care workers who hold professional credentials. The Council for Professional Recognition offers the Child Development Associate (CDA) designation, while the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) Commission offers the Child Care Professional (CCP) designation. Both organizations evaluate child care providers in several areas, including experience and communication with families, as well as through classroom observation. Renewing professional certification requires training updates through completion of continuing education classes. A graduate with an associate degree in child care might go on to earn a 4-year degree in early childhood education.
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5 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Associate
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- AA in Psychology
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must be 22 years of age or have active military status
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Associate
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- AA in Liberal Arts
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Colorado (3 campuses)
Classroom-Based Programs
- Associate
Other Schools:
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School locations:
- Louisiana (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of Louisiana include:
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- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Human and Consumer Sciences
- Human and Social Services
- Child Care Management
- Child Care Services
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Political Science
- Social Science and Studies
- Social Studies and History
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School locations:
- Kentucky (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Eastern Kentucky University include:
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- Graduate: Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Geography and Cartography
- Human and Social Services
- Child Care Services
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Social Science and Studies
- Social Studies and History
Other Related Schools:
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School locations:
- Ohio (2 campuses)
Areas of study you may find at University of Cincinnati include:
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- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Human and Social Services
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Social Science and Studies
- Human and Social Services
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School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
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- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Human and Social Services
- Child Care Management
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Public Administration
- Social Science and Studies
- Social Studies and History
- Human and Social Services
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School locations:
- New Hampshire (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at University of New Hampshire include:
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- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Cultural Studies
- Ethnic and Gender Studies
- Geography and Cartography
- Human and Social Services
- Community Organization and Advocacy
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Social Science and Studies
- Social Studies and History
