Request Information for Online Programs
College of Professional Studies
The online Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of New Hampshire offers a comprehensive understanding of young children's development and education. The program covers topics such as child and family development, creative arts, language and literacy, health and nutrition, mathematics and science, and working with young children with exceptionalities.
Designed for flexibility, the degree prepares graduates for early childhood settings or for seamless transfer into our B.S. in Early Childhood Education program.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
The Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education has been designed to provide a thorough understanding of the young child. This program creates a broad perspective on child and family development patterns. Students develop skills to guide children in their earliest learning experiences, birth - five years of age.
This program will help you develop important skills to guide children in their early education. This degree prepares students for a role in a child care setting while offering a smooth transition to the B.S. in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Certification.
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| EDC 501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| EDC 502 | Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| PSY 470 | Child Development | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| EDC 503 | Language and Literacy Development | 4 |
| EDC 504 | Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDC 505 | Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDC 506 | Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDC 507 | Early Childhood Program Administration | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Major, Option, and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of one course overlap between the Major and General Education areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTH 402 | Math for Our World | |
MTH 504 | Statistics | |
MTH 510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems: PSY 470 | 4 | |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Concentration coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of one course overlap between the Concentration and General Education areas.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Early Childhood Education | ||
| EDC 501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDC 502 | Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDC 503 | Language and Literacy Development | 4 |
| EDC 504 | Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDC 505 | Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDC 506 | Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDC 507 | Early Childhood Program Administration | 4 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
This degree prepares students for a smooth transition to the B.S. in Early Childhood Education with Teacher Licensure, which is available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
…and more!
Those wishing to continue their education may apply their 60-credit associate degree toward an 120-credit bachelor’s degree. Ask your advisor for details!
The UNH College of Professional Studies is proud to support the New Hampshire Department of Education and their iSocial State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG). The goal of this grant is to improve social-emotional outcomes of infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities (birth to age 5) through the implementation of the evidence-based Pyramid Model Framework.
Learn more about the courses and assignments that align to this model.