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Early Childhood Education

Make a difference in the lives of young children by starting your journey in early childhood education. This program is designed for students who plan to continue their education and become licensed kindergarten through third grade teachers.

You'll gain real-world experience creating engaging, age-appropriate curriculum and supporting the developmental needs of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Learn how to foster inclusive classrooms, build meaningful connections with families, and apply early childhood theories in hands-on learning environments.

Prepare to transfer into a bachelor’s program with the skills, confidence, and foundation you need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Shape the future by helping children grow, learn, and thrive.

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100% Online Program

Learn from anywhere on your schedule so you can balance school, work, and life.
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Real-World Accounting Skills

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Career-Ready Training

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Overview
Class Time Online
Semester Fall | Spring | Summer
Campus Online
Awards

Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway Associate of Science

This is some marketing call out text. test. Apply for this program!

Tuition & Learning

Planning your investment is easy. Our program provides comprehensive training that prepares you for immediate entry into your chosen field. Below you'll find detailed information about program costs and required materials.

Tuition Estimates by Award

Costs below apply to each specific award option:

Associates Degrees

Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway
$12,719
Associate of Science

Additional Costs

  • Books & Materials: $
  • Lab Fees: $
The tuition rate for 2025-2026 academic year is
$211.98 per credit

Scholarships & Savings

Going to school is an exciting step toward your future. There are many ways to save money, more than you might expect.

Program Scholarships:

 

Accreditation & Recognition

Hennepin Tech is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the HLC Academic Quality Improvement Program.

All faculty belong to National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and are affiliate members of:

  • MN Association for the Education of Young Children (MNAEYC)
  • Faculty are also members of Minnesota ACCESS (faculty of Child Development programs in Associate Degree programs) and participate in Project E-LECT, a child development consortium for online courses in Minnesota.
  • Our program also partners with T.E.A.C.H., which provides scholarships for students earning Associate degrees.

Articulations

An articulation agreement between Hennepin Tech and the following institutions will facilitate credit transfer of Hennepin Tech's Child Development A.S. degrees toward a bachelor's degree:

  • Southwest Minnesota State University: B.S. in Early Childhood Education.
    This bachelor's degree is the first step to become licensed and teach through the third grade. To learn more about this partnership, please contact Mary Risacher to schedule a time to visit at either the Brooklyn Park or Eden Prairie campus.

USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure

The Hennepin Technical College Child Development curriculum is designed to help prepare students for employment in Minnesota. At this time, Hennepin Technical College is unable to make a determination if the Child Development programs meet the licensing requirements for any state or US protectorate. You will want to contact the licensing board in which state you intend to pursue licensure for their requirements, below we provide a link to a list of each state's licensing board.

For more information on state licensing boards and their contact information for Child Development, please visit US Department of Education website.

Last reviewed 03/01/2025

How to Apply

Ready to start your journey at Hennepin Tech? Learn the skills you’ll need to succeed and follow our simple application process to take the first step toward your career goals.

Skills Required

Students must have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, those who work with children should be patient, have a willingness to learn and grow, and must be able to take initiative. You must be reliable, responsible and be able to problem solve. You should have good writing skills and be able to communicate well with others as a member of a team.

Minnesota law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with children, patients, and residents at a health or child care facility licensed by the State of Minnesota have a background study conducted by the state. Students who have criminal backgrounds are ineligible to participate in practicums and are ineligible for graduation.

All graduates are required to have documentation of their growth in the program. Talk to one of the teachers to learn if you may use the portfolio you already had started, or the e-folio.

Application Process

Applying to Hennepin Tech is easy and straightforward. Follow these simple steps to get started on your educational journey:

  1. Submit Your Application
    Visit our Get Started page to complete your application online. As part of the application process, you will need to pay the application fee. This helps us process your materials quickly.

  2. Submit Transfer Requests (If Applicable)
    If you have previously completed college courses or earned a degree, you can save time and money by transferring your credits. Be sure to submit official transcripts or transfer requests from any previous colleges or high schools you attended. This allows us to evaluate your credits and apply them toward your new program.

  3. Receive Your Admission Decision
    Once your application is reviewed and accepted, you will receive an official admission decision.

  4. Placement Testing for New Students
    If you are new to college, you will need to take a placement test after you have been accepted. The placement test helps identify your current skills in reading, writing, and math. It is used to determine if developmental courses are necessary before you start certain college-level classes. Please note that the placement test does not affect your admission status.

  5. Plan Your Courses
    Based on your placement test results and transfer credit evaluation, you will work with an advisor to select the right courses to ensure your success.

Special Admissions Processes

  • If you are an international student, please visit our international admissions page for specific instructions.

  • If you are a PSEO (Postsecondary Enrollment Options) student, please visit our PSEO admissions webpage for details on the application process.

If you have questions or need help during the application process, our admissions team is here to support you every step of the way.

Faculty & Staff

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College Honors Adoptees

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

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Each November, National Adoption Month reminds us of the human need to belong.

$4.1M DEED Grant Received

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

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Hennepin Tech receives $4.1M from DEED to expand semiconductor training and grow Minnesota’s high-tech workforce.

Invitation to Vote on New Website Design Theme

Monday, October 20, 2025

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Help choose the new Hennepin Tech website design and score some swag! Vote now for your favorite theme before October 31.

Celebrating Manufacturing Month

Friday, October 3, 2025

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October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota and across the nation.

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