English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →District of ColumbiaChild care
The cheapest way to finish the general-education half of an ECE associate degree
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
An early childhood associate degree is about 60 credit hours, and roughly half is general education such as writing, maths and social science. The cheapest way to finish that half depends on how many courses you need, where the credit will end up on a transcript and whether OSSE and your college agree to it. Compare total cost, including the transcript step.
Why the general education half matters in DC
OSSE's teacher rule accepts an ECE associate degree, or 60 credit hours in any subject with 12 early childhood hours. Either way, about half the credits are not early childhood courses. That half is where cost can come down.
Credit must come from an accredited college or university, so every option below ends with a college transcript.
For an assistant teacher, the 60 credit hours in any subject are a full route on their own, with no early childhood hours needed. For a teacher, the same 60 hours plus 12 early childhood hours or a valid CDA meet the rule. Either way, finishing general education at a lower cost moves you forward.
Typical general education courses
Most associate degrees ask for a similar set. Check your college's list.
Pick courses that also help in the classroom where you can. Psychology and sociology help with child behaviour and family work, and English Composition helps with the written observations and family notes that early childhood staff write every week.
- English Composition 1 and 2
- College Algebra or another maths course
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- A humanities or science course
Comparing the options
Prices below were checked on 15 November 2026. Each route needs a college transcript in the end.
| Option | Price | Transcript step |
|---|---|---|
| UDC Community College (DC resident) | $117 per credit hour plus $430 fees per term | Already on a UDC transcript |
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | A college must post the credit |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month | A college must post the credit |
Working out a real total
Five general education courses are about 15 credit hours. At UDC's resident rate that is $1,755 in tuition plus at least one term of fees, about $2,185. On UPI Study PRO, taking two courses a month, five courses take about three months, or $297, plus whatever the posting college charges.
The second route is cheaper per course but adds a step. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit, and each sets its own fees. Add those fees before you compare.
Ask two offices first
Ask the college that will grant your degree whether it would take each course, and ask OSSE whether it would count that college's transcript. A written yes from both protects your money.
- To the college: would you take these courses toward the ECE associate degree?
- To OSSE: would you count credit hours on that college's transcript?
Keep the early childhood half at a college
We do not offer early childhood education courses. Plan to take those at a college with an ECE programme, and use the lower-cost route only for general education. That way the courses OSSE looks at most closely come straight from an accredited college.
Keep a list of every course, its provider, its credit hours and the transcript it will appear on. Update your total only when the transcript shows the credit. When you apply for a role or a licence review, send OSSE the official transcripts and any written answers you received.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask OSSE's Division of Early Learning in writing whether credits posted on a partner college's transcript would count toward the 60 college credit hours for your role before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
How many credits is an ECE associate degree?
Most associate degrees are about 60 credit hours. In DC, OSSE's teacher rule also accepts 60 credit hours in any subject with 12 early childhood hours, so the general education half counts either way once it is on an accredited college transcript.
Can I take ECE general education online for DC?
Often, if the college granting your degree takes the courses and OSSE counts its transcript. OSSE says credit hours must come from an accredited college or university. Ask both in writing before you enrol.
Is UPI Study cheaper than community college for general education?
Per course, often yes: PRO is $99 a month for every course. But the credit needs a college to post it, which may carry fees. Compare the total, including that step, against UDC's $117 per credit hour plus fees.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
College Algebra
Self-paced online College Algebra course (Math 111). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Ask OSSE in writing first, then start with English Composition and Psychology.
Sources
- OSSE: Child Development Staff: Resources Available for Education Requirements (official)Director: bachelor's in ECE or equivalent, or any bachelor's with 12 ECE credit hours. Teacher: ECE associate or equivalent, or 60 credit hours or any associate with 12 ECE credit hours; or CDA plus enrolment, degree within four years. Assistant teacher: CDA, or 60 credit hours or any associate, or high school diploma and CDA within two years. 'Credit hours can only be earned by completing college credit hours through an accredited college or university.' A valid CDA satisfies the 12 ECE hours for 60-hour roles; CDA coursework alone does not. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- UDC Community College: Fee schedule (official)DC resident tuition $117 per credit hour plus $430 in fees per term (schedule labelled Summer 2025). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.