Associate of Occupational Science in Early Childhood Education
Train to Become a Preschool Teacher in DC & Northern Virginia
-Students can learn how to help toddlers learn in a fun setting utilizing various fun and creative techniques in teaching language, reading, and social interactions.
The Associate of Occupational Science in Early Childhood Education at Columbia College prepares future preschool teachers and early childhood educators in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.
Through a comprehensive early childhood education curriculum, students learn to understand developmental stages from infancy through age eight, implement age‑appropriate teaching strategies, and create nurturing, inclusive classroom environments. The program emphasizes cognitive, emotional, and social growth, as well as effective collaboration with families and communities. Graduates are prepared to support the overall well‑being and success of young children in preschools, childcare centers, Head Start programs, and other early childhood education settings.
Build a rewarding, stable career supporting young children and families in your local community.
The first few years of a child’s life are widely recognized as the most critical stage for development, which is why demand for qualified early childhood educators and preschool teachers continues to grow. Graduates with an Early Childhood Education degree from Columbia College can work in a variety of settings, including daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and private homes as teaching assistants, lead teachers, or childcare providers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia.
With flexible career paths and the opportunity to build strong community bonds, many early childhood education professionals report high job satisfaction and long‑term stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations, driven by increased childcare and preschool enrollment.
Educational Outcomes/Settings
Graduates of the Associate of Occupational Science in Early Childhood Education at Columbia College are prepared to work as preschool teachers, teaching assistants, and childcare providers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and Northern Virginia. Through coursework and hands‑on experience, they gain the skills needed to understand child development from birth through age eight, design developmentally appropriate lessons, and manage safe, nurturing classroom environments.
Median Salary
$71,390
per year$34.32
per hourIdentification
- •Passport
- •Driver's License
- •State-issued ID
Education History
- •Diploma/school transcript (at least high school)
- •General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
- •DD-214 form
Application Fee
Domestic$100
International$200
International Applicants
F-1 Student Visa
- •Initial Enrollment
- •Transfer-In with I-20
- •Change of Status
- •1+1+1 Program
J-1 Exchange Visitor
- •College/University Student
- •Au Pair
Learn more about our Global Education Programs
Non-Native English Speakers
CaMLA (Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments) English Test to define the English level (Must be at Advanced Level).
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Industry Associations
