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Associate of Science (A.S.)
A two-year associate degree to start working with young children — and a stepping stone toward a bachelor's.
Stackable to a Bachelor's
A foundation toward the B.S. in Elementary Education
Hands-On Fieldwork
Four early-childhood fieldwork courses
Faith-Integrated Core
Includes a biblical and theological foundation
If you want to start working with young children sooner — or build a foundation before pursuing a bachelor’s — ACU’s Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education is a focused, two-year path. In 64 credits, you’ll gain the early-childhood knowledge and hands-on experience to step into early-learning settings with confidence.
You’ll study early literacy, human development for young children, and learning environments, paired with four fieldwork courses and a capstone that put you in real early-childhood settings. A solid general-education and biblical-studies core rounds out the degree. And because the early-childhood coursework aligns with our bachelor’s program, the credits you earn can stack toward a B.S. in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood concentration if you decide to continue.
Teach Early Literacy
Build the foundations of reading and language for young children.
Understand Young Children's Development
Study how young children grow, think, and learn.
Design Learning Environments
Create developmentally appropriate spaces and routines for young learners.
Practice in Real Settings
Apply your learning across four early-childhood fieldwork experiences.
Learn Curriculum and Instruction
Understand how to plan and deliver instruction for young learners.
Build a Faith and Knowledge Foundation
Complete a general-education and biblical-studies core that transfers toward a bachelor's.
Teaching the youngest children is formative work — and a Biblical Worldview shapes how you understand the children in your care.
Every Child Bears God's Image
Long before children can earn or achieve anything, they have inherent worth as image-bearers. That conviction grounds early-childhood teaching in love and patience rather than performance.
Forms a nurturing posture toward children at their most vulnerable stage.
Foundations That Last
The early years shape how children see themselves, others, and learning itself. Taking that influence seriously treats early-childhood work as deeply consequential, not just childcare.
Prepares you to lay foundations of character and curiosity, not just supervise.
Wonder and Discovery
Young children are wired to explore a world full of order and beauty. A Biblical Worldview frames that natural wonder as encountering a world worth discovering.
Helps you nurture children's curiosity rather than just manage behavior.
An associate degree in early childhood opens entry-level roles with young children — and a clear path toward a bachelor's.
Preschool & Early-Learning Teacher
Teach and care for young children in preschools and early-learning centers.
Childcare & Early-Childhood Program Roles
Work in childcare centers, Head Start, and early-childhood programs.
Teacher Aide / Paraprofessional
Support classrooms as an aide or paraprofessional in early-grade settings.
Transfer to a Bachelor's
Continue into the B.S. in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood concentration.
The associate degree offers a focused, faith-integrated start in early childhood — with a clear path forward.
Get Started in Two Years
A 64-credit degree that prepares you for entry-level early-childhood roles.
Hands-On From the Start
Four fieldwork courses put you in real early-childhood settings, not just lectures.
Stacks Toward a Bachelor's
Early-childhood coursework aligns with the B.S. in Elementary Education, so your credits keep working for you.
Faith-Integrated Foundation
A biblical and general-education core grounds the degree in a Biblical Worldview.
Getting started in early childhood at ACU takes just a few steps. Here’s the path.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationMeet With an Education Advisor
Map your two-year plan and talk through whether you may want to continue to a bachelor's.
Get Your IVP Fingerprint Card
Arizona requires an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) card before you enter classrooms for fieldwork.
Begin Your Early-Childhood Coursework
Start the ECE sequence and fieldwork alongside your general-education core.
The Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education gives you a focused, two-year start — and a path toward a bachelor's if you want to go further. Connect with our team or apply today.
