Why This Matters
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23% OF CHILDCARE WORKER JOBS REQUIRE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
An associate degree will qualify you for the 23% of childcare worker jobs that require this level of education as well as the 53% that require a high school diploma or less.
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2% DECLINE IN JOBS BY 2032
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be 18,500 fewer childcare worker jobs in 2032 than there were in 2022 — a higher level of education will help you get hired in this increasingly competitive job market.
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POTENTIAL TO EARN OVER $18 PER HOUR
While the median hourly wage for all childcare workers is $13.71 per hour, the top 10% make more than $18.79. An associate degree will help you reach the high end of your earning potential as well.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in child development degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of teaching-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in child development degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
- 57 hours to write this article
- 45 universities and colleges we assessed
- 83 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Associate in Child Development Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Similar degrees include an associate degree in child psychology or early childhood education. While an online associate in child development opens you up to many careers working with children, the others focus specifically on roles as a social worker or teacher. You can still achieve this with an associate in child development, although your education will cover well-rounded topics like nutrition, family dynamics, teaching methods, and working with children with special needs.
Only apply to schools approved by a DOE-recognized accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). If your school isn’t accredited, you may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Many facilities and schools require an associate degree to work in childcare, along with a cleared background check and fingerprinting.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in child development programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Online child development associate programs accept students with a high school diploma or GED. Because you’ll be working with children, these programs also require a criminal background check, child abuse screening, and fingerprinting prior to admission. Contact the school’s admissions department to learn how and when you can complete these requirements.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? An online associate in child development requires approximately 60 credits to complete; one of our listed programs requires 90 credits, and others require 62 to 67 credits. For full-time students, this degree takes about two years to complete, but accelerated options are available.
While researching, keep an eye on application deadlines and materials. This information is accessible on each program’s website.
Since financing is such a vital consideration, submit all financial aid applications on time. Many scholarships and grants are available for those seeking childcare careers.
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Related Degrees
- Child Development
- Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education
- Health Education