12 core early childhood education units online

Certificate of Completion

Online Early Childhood Education

About the program

The Early Childhood Education Certificate of Completion is focused on inclusive education for young children, birth through age 8, and their families. Engage in early childhood courses reflecting an inquiry-based, constructivist approach to teaching and learning, framed by the pursuit of equity.

Our online classes align with NAEYC and DEC standards.

Our graduates

Earning the 12-credit certificate will guide and support you in your work with children, prenatal through age eight, and their families. Focus on the skills needed for your work as educators, parents, home visitors, administrators, and other early childhood professionals. Our graduates become better prepared in their roles as:

• Child care educators and teachers
• Family child care professionals
• Head Start and Early Head Start professionals
• Program directors and administrators
• Early intervention and special education specialists
• Home visitors
• Parents

Why PSU?

PSU’s individual support resources and real-world applications incorporate the needs of the whole person. This nurtures the strong convictions and confidence critical to academic success. PSU is also the public research university for the Portland metro area.

The Online Early Childhood Education certificate program draws on the practice of early childhood researchers and the educators at the PSU laboratory school, the Helen Gordon Child Development Center. We have an anti-bias and inquiry-based education focus.

Our program serves regional, national and international communities who are creative and engaged with colleagues outside Portland, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest—with online learning, your work becomes part of a global collaboration. Our online classes have a strengths-based approach to learning with real-world applications. In coming together as a community of learners, you will share a deeper understanding of the topic with your classmates. We are passionate about early childhood education and are committed to supporting equity and inclusion in education.

Answer the call to work as an Early Childhood Educator

No. 1 Most Affordable in Twin Cities

Aligned with CDA Credentials

Learn More Today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

• Duration 2 years
• Cost per Credit $420
• Credit Hours 72

Program Benefits

• Flexible, online format
• Now accepting applications – no app fee
• Free transfer credit evaluation
• Scholarships available
• Career advice to help you with your job search

• FAQs
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An accredited degree online from the No. 1 Most Affordable College in the Twin Cities

Earning a degree online in ECE gives you the social and physical child development knowledge you need to excel as an educator in two years. Through this affordable associate’s in early childhood education, you’ll meet the standards of the Child Development Associate National Credentialing program.

You’ll gain additional insight into developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environments as well as growth and development as you study theories of Piaget, Erickson and other child experts, all in a convenient, online format that fits with your schedule.

With our CAEP-accredited program, you’ll apply all the right classroom practices to foster exceptional learning experiences for young children.

Program Outcomes

• Meet the emerging standards for early childhood educators.
• Adapt to the needs of young students from birth through grade three.
• Create effective lesson plans that help young children develop lifelong skills.

Admissions Requirements

To apply for the online associate degree in early childhood education from Concordia University, St. Paul, you’ll need:

• Completed online application
• Submit official transcripts from your previous regionally accredited institution(s) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 based on a 4.0 system.
  • If you have attended a MNSCU college or university we also ask that you provide an official accompanying DARS or MnTC goal area worksheet. Concordia accepts completed goal areas.
  • If you have less than 20 college credits completed, you will need to submit your official high school transcript as well as any college level courses you have taken.
• Additional Requirements
  • Access to a computer that meets Concordia’s technology requirements.

Read More About Admissions Requirements

Tuition Details

The early childhood education associate degree online program from CSP costs $420 per credit hour. You can transfer a maximum 30 credit hours to get your total tuition cost down to $17,640. Convenient payment options and $2,000 partnership scholarships are also available to make your education even more affordable.

Faculty

You’ll have support from expert faculty members at CSP, who will be there to answer your questions and guide you throughout your associate degree in early childhood education program. It’s yet another way that the online format mimics the experience of studying at campus.

Get the Feel of an In-Person Program on Your Schedule

Online programs from Concordia University, St. Paul are designed for your busy lifestyle. You can study at your convenience while taking advantage of our asynchronous programs, designed for your busy lifestyle. With our flexible cohort framework, you’ll get to know your peers and faculty while engaging in unique assignments and activities. Explore the various ways that you will receive support through every stage of the online learning experience and discover tips about how to maximize your resources.

Online Experience

Financial Aid

In addition to financing your online education with federal student aid and private loans, CSP offers online students a tuition discount (this limits eligibility for institutional scholarships). Transfer students could receive $2,000 or more through transfer partnerships and transfer student awards. CSP is also a Military Friendly® institution. An enrollment counselor and tuition planner will help you apply for financial aid.

Tuition & Aid

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you interested in one of Concordia’s online programs? Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about time to completion, accreditation, tuition and fees, admissions, and more. If applicable, you can also learn more about licensure, concentrations, or specializations offered in the program. Get more information about any online program or contact an enrollment counselor at (855) 641-2525 with further questions.

Yes, you can transfer up to 30 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution toward this degree program. Our Transfer Specialists will guide you through the process.

Excluding general education requirements, the A.A. in Early Childhood Education has four courses.

Online associate programs from Concordia University, St. Paul are $420 per credit hour.

This program will prepare you to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program.

Without transfer credits, completing 64 credit hours at $420 per credit hour totals $26,880. However, with the maximum amount of transfer credits (30), your total tuition could be as low as $14,280 before scholarships and financial aid.

This program is offered fully online from Concordia University, St. Paul.

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