2023 Best Online Associate Degrees in Education

American Public University System (APUS) is a private institution with a 100% acceptance rate, and an 18% graduation rate. APUS offers an online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Care and Education, which requires 60 credit hours. This fully remote associate program is designed to teach students how they can develop a child care business plan, create a parent newsletter, host parent workshops, and implement programs that improve the healthy development of children through the age of five.

At APUS, students use the learning management system Sakai to access their online coursework, which is asynchronous. Students may choose to work at either a full- or part-time pace. Some of the courses include Childhood Educational Development, Infant-Toddler Development, and Observation Techniques. This program meets the educational requirements for the Child Development Associate Credential.

Liberty University (LU) is a private university that focuses on "training champions for Christ." LU offers an online Associate of Arts in Education (Non-Licensure), which does not lead to licensure, as the name suggests, but allows graduates to work in many paraeducator and early childhood education roles. In 60 credit hours, this online program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to create lesson plans, develop teaching strategies, and manage classrooms.

At LU, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is fully online and asynchronous, meaning students can work at their own pace. Courses may include Educational Philosophy, Behavior & Individual Differences, and Foundations of Education. LU has a 99% acceptance rate and a 36% graduation rate.

Liberty University is not an LGBT-friendly institution. Students must sign an honor code that expressly forbids LGBT-related behavior.

Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) is a large, public institution with an open admissions policy and a 19% graduation rate. EGCC offers an online Associate of Arts in Teacher Education, which requires 64 credit hours and about two years to complete. This program helps provide students with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with parents, other educators, and community leaders; identify and assist a diverse student population; and aid in the establishment and maintenance of a safe, effective educational setting.

At EGCC, students use MyClasses to access their online education classes, which are taught in an asynchronous format. Courses include Instructional Technology, Foundations of Education, and Wellness & Safety in Early Childhood. Graduates of this associate program meet the licensing requirements for administrative positions. They may pursue careers in childcare centers, preschools, or grad schools, while some may choose to transfer into a related baccalaureate program.

Rasmussen University Online (RU) is a small, private institution that offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, which can be completed in as little as 18 months. Students can also take self-directed assessments to opt out of specific courses and graduate faster. This program has two specialization options, including (1) special needs and (2) child development. Either track provide students with the skills to develop strategies, create customized curriculum, and help dual language learners acquire language and literacy.

At RU, students use the digital learning platform Blackboard to access their 100% online courses, which include Advocating for Children with Special Needs, Early Childhood Education Curriculum & Instruction, and The Exceptional Child — to name a few. Graduates often work as preschool teachers, childcare workers, and more.

The Lone Star College System (LSCS) is a public, Hispanic-Serving institution with an open admissions policy and a 17% graduation rate. LSCS offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching, which requires 60 credit hours. Students can be complete this associate degree in two years if they maintain a full-time pace. This program satisfies the core requirements for baccalaureate programs that lead to teacher certification in the state of Texas.

At LSCS, students use the software Brightspace to access their curriculum, which all taught entirely online through classes, such as Language, Philosophy, & Culture; Life & Physical Sciences; and Social/Behavioral Sciences. Graduates of this associate in teaching program meet the Generalist, Bilingual, and ESL certifications for teaching both EC-6 and 4-8.

Rio Salado College (RSC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution with an open admissions policy and a 13% graduation rate. RSC offers an online Associate in Arts - Secondary Education. This two-year, 52-credit program helps students develop the skills and knowledge to analyze instruction, relationships, and classroom management strategies; continually evaluate professional growth; and understand the accepted professional and ethical standards of conduct in educational settings.

At RSC, students use RioLearn, the school's proprietary learning management system, to access their classes virtually. Some of these courses are titled Digital Literacy for Teaching & Learning in Education, Public Speaking, and Cultural Diversity in Education. Graduates of this program may work as education administrators, instructional coordinators, teaching assistants, and educational counselors.

Rio Salado College also offers an online Associate in Arts - Elementary Education for those who prefer to work with younger students.

Central Texas College (CTC) is a public institution that offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching Certification. This online associate program requires 60 credit hours. Full-time students can finish in just two years. The associate degree is designed for students who desire to teach in a public school setting, and it prepares them to either work as paraprofessionals or go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.

At CTC, students use the software Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include Child Growth & Development, Interpersonal Communication, and Mathematics for Teachers. Graduates may work as teacher assistants, kindergarten teachers, and elementary teachers. CTC has an open admissions policy and a 14% graduation rate.

Houston Community College (HCC) is a public institution that has the status of a Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. HCC offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching, which requires 60 credit hours and at least a two year commitment. It has a 100% acceptance rate and an 18% graduation rate.

At HCC, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Some sample classes include Learning Framework, Public Speaking, and Introduction to Special Populations. Associate graduates may work as teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) is a public institution that offers an online Associate in Early Childhood Education, which requires 71 credit hours and 1.5 years to complete. This program prepares students to work with children from infancy through middle school, implementing appropriate programs and fostering child development. FTCC has an open admissions policy and a 22% graduation rate.

At FTCC, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include Child, Family, & Community, Creative Activities, and Children with Exceptional Needs. Graduates work with child care programs, preschools, recreational centers, and school-age programs.

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is a public, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving institution. CSN offers an online Associate of Arts in Secondary Education, which requires 60 credit hours. Students generally require around two years to complete this associate degree online. The curriculum provides students with the tools and knowledge to teach diverse student populations, select technology tools for integration in the curriculum, and choose formative and summative evaluation techniques.

At CSN, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. Courses include Preparing Teachers to Use Technology, Principles of Educational Psychology, and Valuing Cultural Diversity. Graduates of this program may become a paraprofessional (instructional aide) or continue on to earn their bachelor’s degree.

The College of Southern Nevada also offers both an online Associate of Arts in Elementary Education and an online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education.

Indiana Wesleyan University Online (IWU) is a private, Christian university with a 100% acceptance rate and a 54% graduation rate. IWU offers an online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, which requires 60 credit hours. It generally takes students anywhere from two to three to finish this degree online while they gain an understanding of childhood growth and development, along with the knowledge and skills to foster children’s physical, emotional, and social development.

At IWU, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is 100% online. Courses include Foundations of Early Childhood, Infant/Toddler Experience, and Emergent Literacy, among others. Graduates may work as childcare workers, preschool teacher assistants, daycare assistants, home-based service providers, and family support specialists.

Northern Virginia Community college (NOVA) is a public, Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution with a 100% acceptance rate and a 26% graduation rate. NOVA offers an online Associate of Science in Education, which requires 60 credit hours. This program takes about two years to complete if students maintain a full-time schedule.

At NOVA, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include Foundations of Education, Developmental Psychology, and Teaching in a Diverse Society. Graduates may transfer to a four-year college. This program satisfies some of the endorsement and professional course requirements for a Virginia teaching license.

Bryant & Stratton College Online (BSC) is a private institution that offers an online Applied Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education. This program provides students with the skills and knowledge to plan, implement, and assess learning experiences, guide behavior, and communicate with families and colleagues to create a positive environment for children. BSC has an open admissions policy and a graduation rate of 16%.

At BSC, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses, such as Creative & Language Arts for Children, Early Childhood Practice Experiences, and Child Care & Development, fulfill the educational requirement for the National Child DevelopmentAssociate Credential. Graduates may work at childcare centers, child development programs, early intervention programs, and public education classrooms.

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution that offers an online Fast-Track Associate of Arts in Teacher Education - Elementary/Special Education, which requires 64 credit hours and takes around two years to complete. This program fulfills the coursework requirement for the New Mexico Child Development Certificate, and students are eligible to apply for the One Year Vocational Certificate issued by the New Mexico Office of Child Development. CNM has an open admission policy and a 43% graduation rate.

At CNM, students use the digital platform Blackboard to access their coursework virtually. Courses include Child Growth, Development, & Learning, Guiding Young Children, and Communication for Teachers. Graduates of this program may work as early care and education teachers, public school educational assistants, and early interventionists.

Seminole State College of Florida (SSCF) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution with an open admissions policy and a 43% graduation rate. SSCF offers an online Associate in Arts - Educational Sciences Pathway, which requires 60 credit hours. This online associate program produces students who are well-versed in education policies, specifically.

At SSCF, students use Canvas to access their classes online, which include Introduction to the Teaching Profession, The Adult Learner, and Learning Theory & Assessment. This education program is aimed at students who want to transfer to an upper-division public college or a university in the state of Florida.

Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution with an open admissions policy and a 32% graduation rate. HCC offers an online Associate in Arts in Education Teacher Preparation Pathway, which requires 60 credit hours and generally takes two years to complete. Out of these, six credit hours are devoted to international- or diversity-focused classes, like art history, psychology, and anthropology.

At HCC, students use the popular learning management system Canvas to access their coursework virtually. Some of the classes in the education teacher preparation associate degree include Introduction to Diversity for Educators, Elementary Logic, and Public Speaking. Graduates usually go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and become teachers.

Aspen University (AU) is a private institution that offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies, which requires 60 credit hours. This program enables students to organize and lead education and care programs while learning to meet the needs of children in the community. They aim to learn the key areas of education theory, curriculum planning, and childhood development. AU has a 100% acceptance rate and a 46% graduation rate.

At AU, students use the software Brightspace to access their fully online and asynchronous classes, which include Skills for Early Childhood; Introduction to Communications; and Family, School, and Community.

SUNY Empire State University (ESU) is a public institution with an open admission policy and a 47% graduation rate. ESU offers an online Associate of Arts/Science in Educational Studies. Students gain the knowledge and skills to develop curriculum and examine practical applications of classroom technology. They also strive to build a foundation of historical, philosophical, sociological, and gender perspectives in education.

At ESU, students use Moodle to access their coursework, which is all online. Courses include Schooling in America, Children’s Literature Across the Curriculum, and LGBTQ+ Youth & Education. Graduates work in community education, international training, program development, educational research, and policymaking.

South Texas College (STC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving institution with an acceptance rate of 100%, and a graduation rate of 31%. STC offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching - Education (Grades 8-12), which requires 60 credit hours and takes about two years to finish remotely.

At STC, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is almost entirely online and taught in an asynchronous format. Some examples of classes are Introduction to the Teaching Profession, Introduction to Special Populations, and Texas Government. The two mandatory introduction courses require field experience.

South Texas College also offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching - Education (4-8 Generalist) and an online Associate of Arts in Teaching - Education (EC-6 Generalist).

Pima Community College (PCC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution that offers an online Associate of Arts in Elementary Education, which requires 60 credit hours and takes two years to complete. Students understand how learners grow and develop, how to create supportive environments, and how to develop appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

At PCC, students use Blackboard to access their online classes. Some examples are Relationships in Classroom Settings, National & State Constitutions, and Literature/Social Studies for Children. This associate degree matches the first two years of an elementary education certification degree at The University of Arizona.

PCC also offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies and an online Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education.

Georgia State University - Perimeter College (GSU PC) is a public school of higher learning that boasts being an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution with an open admission policy and a graduation rate of 13%. GSU PC offers an online Associate of Science in Middle Grades Education, which requires 60 credit hours. Students learn about educational philosophies, policies, attitudes, behaviors, and instruction.

At GSU PC, students use the platform Blackboard to access their coursework, which is mostly online and asynchronous. Three courses require ten hours of field placement, while nine credit hours are subject-specific courses. Some required online courses include Exploring Learning and Teaching as well as Investigating Critical & Contemporary Issues in Education.

GSU PC also offers an online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education, an online Associate of Science in Secondary Education, and an online Associate of Science in Special Education.

St. Phillip’s College (SPC) is a public, Historically Black College and University that offers an online Applied Associate of Science in Early Childhood and Family Studies, which requires 60 credit hours. In general, students often complete this degree between two and three years of study. This program provides students with knowledge and skills concerning physical, socioemotional, language, and cognitive development.

At SPC, students use Canvas to access their online classes, such as Child Guidance, Wellness of the Young Child, and Diverse Cultural/Multilingual Education, among others. Graduates may work as para-teacher aides, assistant preschool teachers, early childhood teachers, private sector preschool teachers, and child care directors. SPC has an open admission’s policy.

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a large, public institution with an open admission policy and a 37% graduation rate. FSCJ offers an online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Management, which requires 60 credit hours and can usually be completed in two years at a full-time pace. This program empowers students to identify and describe developmentally appropriate practices for children while learning how to create healthy, respectful, and challenging learning environments for young children. Students will use technology to document, assess, and collect data.

At FSCJ, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. Courses include Program Development in Early Childhood Education, Creative Activities in the Field of Early Childhood Education, and Observing & Recording Child Behavior. Graduates may become teachers for children under the age of three, VPK teachers, home child care operators, and child care center directors.

Front Range Community College (FRCC) is a public institution that offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, which requires 60 credit hours. FRCC has an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 25%. Students gain the knowledge and skills to build strong family and community relationships, cultivate ethical practices related to professional development, and use effective documentation and assessment practices.

At FRCC, students use MyClasses to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include ECE Child Growth & Development, Working with Families & Communities, and Administration of ECE Programs. Completion of this program includes three FRCC certificates: early childhood teacher, early childhood assistant teacher, and early childhood director.

Palo Alto College (PAC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution with an open admission policy and an 18% graduation rate. PAC offers an online Associate of Arts in Teaching - 7-12 and Other EC-12, which requires 60 credit hours.

At PAC, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online. In terms of technology and support, students engage with interactive video conferencing and video streaming to network with peers and establish relationships with their instructors. Sample courses include Special Populations, Introduction to the Teaching Profession, and Communications. Graduates may enter the field of education as teachers, school administrators, counselors, or another role pertaining to the child/adolescent development.

Baker College Online (BC) offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, which requires 60 credit hours and typically takes approximately two years to complete. This program prepares students to help children interpret the world around them. BC has a 41% acceptance rate and a 22% graduation rate. It also boasts that 86% of its students receive some form of scholarships, grants, or financial aid.

At BC, students use Canvas to access their coursework remotely, including classes with title like Early Childhood Development, Developing Curriculum for Early Childhood, and an Early Childhood Education Practicum. These are all taught by professionals in the field of early childhood education. Graduates may find entry-level employment as preschool teachers, teacher assistants, and child care program directors.

Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) is a public institution with an open admission policy and a 21% graduation rate. JCTC offers an online Associate of Arts - Education, which requires 60 credit hours and takes about two years to complete.

At JCTC, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include Technology in the Classroom, Cooperative Education, and Classroom Assessment. Graduates are fully certified by the Council on Postsecondary Education and will be admitted to the junior-level standing at one of Kentucky’s public universities. Since This degree is an Associate of Arts with an emphasis in education, there is not a lot of information on the school's website. It's best to discuss options with an admissions counselor.

Great Basin College (GBC) is a small, public institution that offers an online Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. This two-year, 60.5 credit hour program provides students with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and professionally with children, families, and communities. GBC has an open admission policy and a 31% graduation rate.

At GBC, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is entirely online. Courses include Principles of Child Guidance, Curriculum in Early Childhood Education, and Diversity in Children. Graduates work as paraprofessionals, teachers, and/or directors in child care centers, pre-schools, and home-based programs.

Cerro Coso Community College (CC) is a public, Hispanic-Serving Institution with an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 18%. CC offers an online Associate of Arts in English for Transfer, which requires 60 credit hours and typically takes two years to complete. Students learn to analyze and interpret texts, relate literary works to real life contexts, and compose formal written analyses that demonstrate academic discourse.

At CC, students use Canvas to access their coursework, which is 100% online and may be either synchronous (via Zoom) or asynchronous, depending on the course. Courses include Critical Thinking through Literature, Women’s Literature, and Multi-Ethnic American Literature. This program guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system. It also prepares graduates to work as teachers, journalists, publishing, and communications.

Tulsa Community College (TCC) is a public institution that offers an online Applied Associate of Science in Child Development - Early Childhood. This program is part of a Workplace Development Degree program, which prepares students to either advance their current career position or enter an entirely new field.Students gain the skills and knowledge to create developmentally appropriate programs and activities for preschool children. TCC has a 100% acceptance rate and a 20% graduation rate.

At TCC, students use the platform Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. Information about this degree is limited on the school’s website, but students can contact an admission’s counselor for more information.

Alternatively, TCC also offers an online Associate of Arts in Pre-Education - Elementary Education.