How Long Does it Take to Get a Degree in Early Childhood Education?

If you have a love and a passion for working with children, and dream of finding a career where you can make a difference by shaping little minds, then obtaining a degree in early childhood education (ECE) is an excellent career choice. There are many exciting job opportunities for an ECE graduate, that goes beyond simply being able to work at a daycare.

A Career with Room to Grow

The possibilities are truly endless as many ECE degree graduates today are owning and operating their own child care centers, working as an administrator, lead teacher or director at various childcare facilities, such as Head Start and other government operated programs, working as children’s directors on cruise ships, play specialists, etc., just to name a few.

You may be wondering how long it takes to get a degree in early childhood education? At Athena Career Academy, the Early Childhood Associate degree program is usually a two-year program, operating in quarters. The program has four quarter start dates a year; Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, and offers both day and evening hours to accommodate students’ work schedules and family life. The early childhood education program at Athena is a total of 92 quarter credit hours.

Requirements

You may also be wondering what is required in order to begin classes at Athena? There are some admissions requirements and criteria that must first be met prior to enrollment, such as:

1. Complete an online application
2. Meet with an admissions representative
3. Submit a small fee and complete the Wonderlic Assessment
4. Attend a meeting with a financial aid advisor to discuss finances
5. Sign an enrollment agreement
6. Complete an online State of Ohio Disclosure Course
7. Submit a copy of high school transcripts
8. Provide a copy of valid government issued identification and signed social security card
9. Complete an emergency medical form
10. Attend your orientation session
    
    

Coursework

Once enrolled, students will take a variety of classes, all of which are specifically aimed at fully preparing them for a successful career as an Early Childhood Educator. Through your coursework and training at Athena, you will learn how to educate, inspire and encourage children, as well as foster their lifelong love for learning as you use developmentally age appropriate activities and practice methods taught during your time at Athena, aimed at children from birth through age 8.

Upon completion of the program, students will earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science (AAS), Majoring in Early Childhood Education. Athena is Accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and approved by the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools.

An Early Childhood Education degree from Athena Career Academy will provide you with many of the fundamentals and foundational concepts commonly utilized among the early childhood field, that will help you serve you with the base knowledge you need to successfully get started in a career that you love, such as working as an ECE educator. Early childhood education is a constantly growing field and the need for highly qualified educators will always be in demand. Contact Athena Career Academy to find out more about how you could play a role in this vital industry and help inspire our future generations with a love for learning.