APU Makes It Possible

An Online AA in Early Childhood Care and Education That's Affordable & Flexible

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Earn Your Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education Online

Help prepare the youngest learners for life as you explore the theory and practice of caring for and educating children from birth to 5-years-old with an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood and Education from American Public University (APU).

Guided by faculty with real-world experience in early childhood education, you’ll engage in interactive exercises that ensure you’re well equipped to help infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children grow and develop in a healthy educational environment. To prepare you for real-world application, this program offers hands-on activities that could include developing a childcare business plan, creating a parent newsletter, or planning a parent workshop.

This online program does not award professional licensure, but it can help prepare you to pursue the Child Development Associate (CDA®) Credential, administered by the Council for Professional Recognition.

APU’s programs are online with 24/7 access and no set login times. At APU, there are no entrance exams and classes start every month, so you can begin quickly and control your schedule.


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HLC Accreditation

Part of American Public University System, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Helping You Save on Your Associate Degree

Explore your options to make learning affordable.

* All U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military spouses/dependents are eligible for our Military Tuition Grant that covers undergraduate and master’s-level tuition above the military TA cap of $250/credit hour.

Making Quality Higher Education Within Reach

Top 11%
For Return on Investment

Reflecting our commitment to deliver value.

$285
Per Credit Hour

Tuition for associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and undergraduate certificates.

$250
Per Credit Hour

For undergraduate and master’s-level programs with APU’s Military Tuition Grant for eligible students

$0
Textbooks & Ebooks

We provide no-cost textbooks and ebooks for all undergraduates.

$0
Transfer Credit Evaluation

APU does not charge to evaluate and apply eligible transfer credit.

$0
Application Fee

There is no cost to apply for undergraduate and master’s-level programs.

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Why You Should Earn This Associate Degree From APU

We’ve earned our reputation as a respected leader in online higher education by always making you—the student—our #1 priority.

Accessible Learning

Plan around your work and life responsibilities with courses that are online and feature weekly class schedules with no set login times.

Save Time

Associate degree students can transfer up to 45 credits for previous academic coursework, job experience, and professional training. We also consider ACE-evaluated training and credits by exam.

Be in Control

You can quickly turn your ambitions into reality because classes begin every month. Most classes are 8 weeks long.

Real-World Knowledge

You’ll be guided by faculty skilled in providing an engaging learning journey rooted in real-world experience from government, Fortune 500 companies, healthcare, defense agencies, technology firms, and the military.

Future-Focused

You have access to our vast network of working professional students and alumni, and our career services team provides continuous assistance.

Your Time to Shine

You always have a front row seat in APU’s online classroom. Undergraduate classes average 18 students.

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Looking for Something Else?

If you’d like to explore other program options, we have 150+ undergraduate programs to consider.

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Classes begin February 6.

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There is no cost to apply for undergraduate and master’s-level programs