An Associates degree in Early Childhood...worth it?

Question

I'm attending a two-year community college and I'm almost finished up here. I plan on transfering on to a university to obtain my BA in Interdisplinary Studies (EC-4th grade). Financial Aid was generous so I'm covered for my last year here. However, I'm only covered if I have at least 12 or more hours per semester. Which leads to this...I only have two classes (6 hours) to complete next semester in order to have all the required classes I need to go to the university I've chosen. I'm considering just go ahead and take the couple of extra courses I need to get my AA degree. Only thing is though, can I get a good job with an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education? I'm working as a part-timer in a retail store, but can I use this degree to work somewhere more linked to my career choice that also can pay better while I finish up on my Bachelor's?

Answer 1

OK, if Elementary Education is your goal, and your financial aid is contingent on carrying 12 units for your last term....it seems your options are:

1) AA in Elem Ed: check with your local school district to see what the qualifications are for Teacher's Aides/Assistants. The goal is NOT so much the pay as it is the classroom experience to build your resume....and a test drive to see if you REALLY like being in Elem Ed before investing more money in that degree path. Also consider private schools and child care/tutoring vs public schools....talking with counselors, college teachers you know, as well as elementary ed teachers and school principles. Consider attending relevant education association conferences and meetings to network and gain insights and experiences from others who have gone the path of full BA/BS credentialing (start to finish), those like yourself to get a balanced perspective.

2) Generally, most teacher ed / credentialing programs may be 5 years rather than 4 to complete....and somewhere in there is a semester or so of practice teaching...and perhaps additional tests for full certification. So check with the folks mentioned in #2 above. So look at the school where you will do your BA and consider the course work there that could point to some classes you can take to round out the 12 units you need for your current college enrollment/scholarship.

3) Also, you didn't mention if you plan to teach in the same state as your studies...but if not, "reciprocity" with the state where you will end up is also an important consideration for planning your studies. Generally, many states may have a reciprocity agreement in place, but that does not usually mean equal and full acceptance...usually you end up needing to take additional classes or tests to get fully certified in the new state. If that is the case, inquire about "conditional certification/credentialing" which might allow you to teach (earn money) but you will also need to enroll and successfully complete the "conditions" within a specific time frame.

The second part of your question shows that you are keenly aware of the need to gain practical experience to balance the academic work...so yes, assisting in the classroom, tutoring, etc. are more directly related to your ultimate goal of elem ed teaching...so in my eye, is much better than retail sales. And since your scholarship covers the school expenses, it may also reduce some of the financial pressure for working at a "higher" paying job....and consider the difference/loss in pay as part of your "tuition" to gain relevant practical experience. After all, remember, the killer question at most job interviews for recent college grads is "So what kind of experience do you have?"

Other than schools, child care, and tutoring jobs...consider other alternative education providers....union halls (displaced workers need supplementary education to cross train to a new job....and some of the basic skills...English, math review, reading/writing may be suitable for you to coach/tutor; community centers and shelters serving families with children, etc. Community hospitals with progressive pediatric care units may have need for people such as you to assist with younger children...giving you an opportunity to gain more insights to early childhood development.

Good luck in your studies. I hope this helps you.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have two options, you can turn down financial aid and work more hours at a childcare center or you can take the extra hours and stay where you are. My advice is to take a full load at your community college, and get your AA degree before transferring to the university. It will make things a lot simpler for you if you transfer in with an AA than if you transfer in with just an associates. I hate to burst your bubble, but child care providers generally don't make too much more than minimum wage so you'll need to weigh the pros and cons of changing jobs while you are still going to college or waiting until you graduate. I worked at daycare centers all throughout my undergradaute while I was studying to be an elementary education teacher. I loved it and wouldn't have changed it for the world, but I didn't make much. and the hours weren't that flexible. Generally, most daycare places are only opened from 6 am to 6 pm, Monday - Friday. So working in the evenings and weekends weren't an option.

Good Luck with whatever you decide

Answer 3

You can certainly use your AA to get a job at perhaps a day care center, or something similar. I doubt that it will pay any better than your retail sales job. I really don't know much you can do with an Associates in early childhood education. Maybe try Sylvan Learning Center, or your local MHMR. But get the degree...it is always worth it in the long run.

Answer 4

In my 18 years as a day care director I always chose teachers with a 2 year degree in Early Childhood or a CDA over certified teachers with elementary certification that happened to include Nursery School. The certified teachers usually thought of the preschool kids as miniature elementary kids, unless they happen to come from a program like Bank Street. There is a difference between many of the experience only staff members without any college courses and the ones with the 2 year degree in their ability to understand the theory that guides what they do so they were more likely to develop a more appropriate curriculum. On the other hand, I inherited a couple of teachers who were grandfathered in under the old regulations and had no college but had about 15 years experience and they were superb at understanding the kids we worked with, all of whom came from low income families. About 60% at any given time had open CPS cases. My best teachers combined the community experience with the education.

Answer 5

I'm not sure where you live, but I know that good teachers are always in demand.
In NYC they were sponsoring "fellowships" to try to get people from other professions to become teachers.
Even more in demand are specialists such as SEIT and ESL. That would add more to your value.

However, I believe you need to have your BA in order to be certified by NYS. I think you can get a provisional license if you will finish your degree in 2 years. If nothing else, work as a Teacher's Aide or Paraprofessional. They make pretty good money, have just about the same benefits as teachers, and you'll be in the classroom learning C/R management strategies and planning. Do a good job there and when you do have your license, you'll have already made some contacts in the district/region.

Answer 6

You can get the correct answer quickly by going to your counselor, or calling a grade school principal's office. They will be very happy to tell you what is needed to teach which grades. You should be able to teach preschool with the education you have now and the experience would be great on your resume! But in the meantime, continue your education each year adding more. Substitute teachers get around $100 a day in Nebraska; at least the private schools. Good luck!
P.S. Don't forget to check out local teachers' websites where all jobs are usually posted for the entire state, or nation.

Answer 7

As it is, no. It is a degree in advanced babysitting. But as a launching point for something else related to education it's okay. As long as your ECE degree classes are transferable to the university go ahead and get the degree.

My daughter-in-law has an ECE degree and never went on to a four year degree but has a very cushy job as a private nanny for the children of very successful and wealthy people. She brings her son along with her and he just plays with her employers' children. Could she support her son on her nanny's wages? No.

All ECE qualifies you for is pre-school teaching and nanny work. Neither of which pay enough to support yourself very well, let alone a family.

My mother got a masters degree in child development and a master's in social work and went on to work in juvenile corrections - a very challenging career, but since she had to raise my sister and me alone, she was very well qualified for the role of single working mother. Something she would not have been able to do had she just stopped with a junior college degree in "advanced babysitting."

Do you have computer skills? Office? Did you take a bookkeeping/accounting course or two? Those skills will qualify you for higher paying jobs than retail.

Good luck.

Answer 8

A degree is always better. Also, if you receive the AA before going to the university they can't make you take more general classes because you already have the AA degree. I would definitely do it if I were you. You should be able to work in a daycare or somewhere and make more money b/c you have the degree.

Answer 9

Get the degree and substitute teach. Finishing any degree shows employers your capable of finishing what you start. Substitute teaching pays about 65 dollars a day in Missouri. Not a bad part-time job.

Answer 10

I am trying to get my bachelors degree in early childhood development how long would it take to get it. If im going full time