Make a world of difference teaching students in grades pre-K to 4.

Turn your love for children into a rigorous and rewarding career with an associates in Early Childhood Education.

The Associate degree in Early Childhood Education from PennWest Global Online is perfect for students working full time. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions through the construction of knowledge, skills and dispositions related to child development and the importance of early care and education.

Within the courses students will take, there is an emphasis on ethical conduct, culturally responsive teaching and community advocacy. The Early Childhood Education coursework is grounded in the theoretical perspectives and research of theorists such as John Bowlby, Lev Vygotsky, Urie Bronfenbenner and Alfred Adler.

Accreditation

The Associate degree in Early Childhood Education is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Experiential Education

PennWest University has agreements with 70 school districts in Western PA and one district in Florida for students’ semester of student teaching as well as international student teaching possibilities.

Professional Organizations

We host a chapter of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) on campus as well as a chapter of the Student PA State Education Association (SPSEA). Students are encouraged to get involved in these organizations.

Fast Facts

7%

Growth in kindergarten and elementary school teacher position expected through 2030 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Credits:

Format:

100% online

Contact:

Gwendolyn Perry-Burney
perryburney@pennwest.edu
724-938-5937

Careers and Salaries

Having a degree in Early Childhood Education from PennWest will not only enhance your skills but boost your marketability in a fast-growing field.

While the majority of PennWest education graduates find employment within the commonwealth, the high standards required to earn a Pennsylvania teaching certification make it highly portable to other states.

The skills and knowledge integrated into the Early Childhood Education program prepares graduates to move into fields that combine content knowledge, leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Graduate Outcomes

When students graduate with their Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, they will be able to:

Demonstrate discipline-specific content, child development and pedagogical content knowledge.
Demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical conduct while exhibiting respect for the cultural diversity of learners, families, colleagues and communities.
Develop standard aligned goals, objectives and learning experience plans.
Differentiate instruction by implementing instructional strategies informed by assessment data.
Design appropriate assessments to measure learner knowledge, skills and dispositions.
Communicate professionally and engage learners, families and community members.
Analyze and reflect on instructional strategies, behavioral strategies and learner progress.

The Power of PennWest

PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.

Online Associate in Early Childhood