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The cheapest way to finish the general-education half of an ECE associate degree
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
The cheapest route is usually to take the early childhood core at the college that grants your degree and fill general-education slots with lower-cost courses that carry ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations, moved via a college transcript. Ask the college in writing which courses it will post, and how many, before you start.
Why the general-education half matters
An associate degree in early childhood or a related field meets the preschool group teacher rule on its own and opens the associate route for directors under 18 NYCRR 418-1.13. Most such degrees are about 60 credits, roughly half in early childhood and half in general education. For working staff the general-education half is often the slow part, taken one course a term around full-time shifts.
Comparing costs for four courses
Here is a rough comparison for 12 credits of general education, using prices checked on 15 November 2026. College fees to apply and to post transfer credit are extra for the online options.
| Option | Price | About 12 credits |
|---|---|---|
| CUNY community college, part-time, NYC residents | $210 a credit | $2,520 plus fees |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month | About $198-$297 |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus $79 a course | About $435-$615 |
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month | Depends on pace |
What to confirm before you save money
A cheap course is only cheap if the college posts it. Ask your college in writing three things: which general-education courses it will post from ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations, how many credits it takes from such sources, and whether it posts a grade or Pass. Then plan the order: courses the college has agreed to first.
- Which courses will you post?
- Is there a cap on recommended credit?
- Grade or Pass?
- What does posting cost?
Partner colleges and New York colleges
TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit, and Newlane is a third. CUNY and SUNY community colleges and SUNY Empire offer early childhood degrees in New York and each sets its own transfer policy. A college with an early childhood programme you can finish near your centre may be worth more than a small saving elsewhere.
Keep your plan of study moving
If you work under a plan of study, 418-1.13(k) asks you to show continuous progress at least once a year. Lower-cost general-education courses can keep that progress steady between early childhood terms. Keep each posted transcript with your plan so your file shows the progress at review time.
Ask about help with tuition
Some child care staff in New York get help with college costs through state or employer programmes. Ask your centre director and your local child care resource and referral agency what is open to you before you pay, because that can change which option is cheapest overall.
Also ask your college about prior learning. Some colleges give credit for a CDA credential or for a portfolio of work experience, and that can shorten the degree further. Each college sets its own rules for this, so get the answer in writing with the number of credits it would post.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your OCFS regional office in writing which courses it will count toward the 12 or 9 credits, and ask your college in writing which courses it will post, 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
Can I take the early childhood courses online too?
Usually the early childhood core is taken at the college that grants the degree, and many colleges offer it online. Ask your college which early childhood courses it will take in transfer; most limit this more than general education.
How many general-education credits does an ECE associate degree need?
It varies by college, often around half of about 60 credits. Ask your college for its degree plan and mark which general-education slots could be filled by transfer credit, then confirm the list in writing.
Is the cheapest option always best?
Not always. If a college posts Pass instead of a grade, or takes months to post, a slightly dearer option that posts quickly may keep your plan of study on time. Compare speed and posting, not just price.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
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 →
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 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
Finish the general-education half of an early childhood degree with ACE- or NCCRS-recommended courses, moved via a college transcript.
Sources
- 18 NYCRR 418-1.13: Staff qualifications (day care centers), eff. 3 June 2020 (official)Director routes: bachelor's plus 12 credits in early childhood, child development or a related field, with 1 year teaching and 1 year supervising; associate degree or CDA routes with a plan of study and 2 years of each. Preschool group teacher: associate degree, or CDA plus 1 year, or 9 credits with a plan of study plus 2 years. Plans of study need continuous progress shown at least yearly (418-1.13(k)). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.