Degrees

Associate of Arts (AA)

Associate of Arts (AA) degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete a two-year postsecondary program. (Part-time students may take longer than two years to complete the degree). There are about 1,100 institutions of higher learning in the U.S. that offer associate degree programs in child development and early childhood education—nearly 7,000 students graduate each year.

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees are awarded to students who successfully complete an undergraduate program at a four-year college or university. NAEYC works with NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) to review early childhood programs at institutions of higher learning. If a program meets NAEYC’s five standards of professional preparation, it receives National Recognition.

View accredited programs by state.