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 →PennsylvaniaChild 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
The cheapest ECE associate degree general education route is usually a monthly online plan used for about 30 credits of standard courses, then the early childhood courses at the degree college. It works only if that college reviews and posts the credit, so ask it in writing which courses it will take before you pay.
What the general-education half is
An associate degree in early childhood education is usually about 60 credits. Around half is early childhood coursework: child development, curriculum, health and safety, and field experience. The other half is general education, such as English Composition, maths, psychology, sociology and a science or humanities course.
General-education courses are much the same from college to college. That is why many working child care staff look for a cheaper way to finish them, while taking the early childhood courses at the college that grants the degree.
Cost compared for about 30 credits
Prices checked 15 Nov 2026. Monthly plans assume about two to three courses a month.
| Option | Price | About 30 credits |
|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month | About $396-$495 in 4-5 months |
| Sophia Learning | $99 a month | About $396-$495 in 4-5 months |
| StraighterLine | $99 a month plus $79 per course | About $1,186-$1,285 |
| Westmoreland CCC, county resident | $149 plus $75 fee per credit | About $6,720 |
The step that decides everything
Low cost means nothing if the degree college will not post the credit. Before you pay for any online course, ask the college in writing which of its general-education requirements it will meet with ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit, and how many credits it will take this way. Partner colleges such as Thomas Edison State University, University of the People and Newlane University consider such credit. Other colleges set their own limits.
Then check the degree against the Pennsylvania rule for your role. Under 55 Pa. Code 3270.34 and 3270.35, the degree must come from an accredited college or university, and it either sits in a listed field or includes 30 credit hours in one.
- Ask the college: which general-education courses will you review and post?
- Ask the college: is there a limit on credit earned this way?
- Ask OCDEL: does this degree meet my option?
A sample plan
Say the college confirms it will review ten general-education courses. A simple order is to start with writing and maths, then the social sciences. Two or three courses a month fits around a full-time job in a center.
Keep a list of each course, the date you finished and the date the college posted it. When the general-education half is done, move to the early childhood courses at the college, where field experience and child development work happen.
- Month 1: English Composition 1 and College Algebra.
- Month 2: Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology.
- Month 3: Educational Psychology and Psychology of Diversity.
- Months 4-5: the remaining courses the college named.
Other ways to cut the cost
Ask your employer whether it helps with tuition, and ask the college about scholarships for early childhood staff. If you already hold a CDA, 55 Pa. Code 3270.31 treats it as 9 credit hours in early childhood education or child development for the staffing rule; ask the college separately whether it gives any degree credit for it.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Before you enrol, ask the degree college in writing which general-education courses it will review, and ask OCDEL's certification representative in writing whether a named course counts toward the 30 credit hours.
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 general-education credits are in an ECE associate degree?
It varies by college, but around half of a 60-credit associate degree is often general education. Ask your college for its degree plan, which lists each requirement and how many credits it carries.
Can I take every general-education course online?
Many colleges let you, but each sets limits on credit from outside sources. Ask the degree college in writing how many credits it will post from ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses before you start.
Is the cheapest route also the fastest?
Often, because monthly plans let you finish as many courses as you can each month. Speed still depends on your time and on the college posting the credit promptly, so ask how long that takes.
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 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
Ask your degree college in writing which courses it will review first.
Sources
- 55 Pa. Code 3270.34: Director qualifications and responsibilities (official)Director options: bachelor's in a listed field plus 1 year of experience; bachelor's including 30 credit hours in a listed field plus 2 years; associate in a listed field plus 3 years; associate including 30 credit hours plus 4 years; all from an accredited college or university. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- 55 Pa. Code 3270.35: Group supervisor qualifications and responsibilities (official)Group supervisor options: bachelor's in a listed field; bachelor's including 30 credit hours plus 1 year; associate in a listed field plus 2 years; associate including 30 credit hours plus 3 years. Listed fields: early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Westmoreland County Community College: Tuition and fees 2026-27 (official)2026-27 tuition $149 per credit for county residents plus a $75 per credit general fee. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.