DC LEAD Scholars can now pursue their early
childhood education degree at Rasmussen University with
no out-of-pocket costs
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen University today announced an
alliance with the Southeast Children's Fund (SCF) and its DC
Leading Educators toward Advanced Degrees (DC LEAD) program to
provide scholarships to help childcare providers earn their
degrees. Through this new alliance, DC LEAD scholars can now earn
their early childhood education degree (ECE) at Rasmussen
University fully online and with no out-of-pocket
costs1.
Under regulations set by Washington,
D.C.'s state education agency, most childcare providers must
have an associate's degree by the end of the year to continue
working. The DC LEAD program, which launched in summer 2022,
supports childcare providers who work in our Nation's Capital with
the knowledge, skills and credentials they need to improve child
development program services and deliver high-quality care.
Rasmussen University is one of seven higher education
institutions in which program scholars can apply their scholarship
and can do so immediately.
"We're proud of our longstanding history of offering early
childhood education programs and are pleased to be one of the few
options for DC LEAD scholars to pursue their degree online," said
Dr. Mary Muhs, academic program
director for Early Childhood Education at Rasmussen University.
"And with quarterly start dates, these scholars can start their
program with us sooner and get on the path to receiving an advanced
education."
About the DC LEAD Program
The DC LEAD scholarship program is offered through the Southeast
Children's Fund on behalf of the Office of the State Superintendent
of Education (OSSE). The scholarship covers the cost of tuition and
books for program scholars as they pursue an associate's or
bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Childcare providers
who work in a child development facility in the District of Columbia that is licensed by OSSE
are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
"Our founder, Frances J. Rollins,
is committed to providing more opportunities that help ECE
educators become well rounded individuals, and the DC LEAD program
is a continuation of her work," said Kamren
Rollins, chief operating officer, Southeast Children's Fund.
"Most of our scholars are working full time and during the day.
They need an educational program that allows them to do their
coursework on their schedule. That is why we are so excited about
our partnership with Rasmussen University and for our DC LEAD
scholars who now have another option to earn their ECE degree
online and meet the qualifications needed to work as a childcare
provider in Washington
faster."
About Rasmussen University's Early Childhood Education
Programs
Rasmussen University has offered ECE programs for more than 30
years. With career-focused learning and flexible online courses,
the Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education program at
Rasmussen prepares students to meet the academic requirements for
the Child Development Associate (CDA)® credential application. If
students already have their CDA, they can request a course waiver
for up to 12 credits, allowing them to finish the program in as few
as 15 months2.
The ECE Bachelor's degree program at Rasmussen University helps
early childhood education professionals further develop their
leadership and administration skills. Bachelor's students can
choose between the traditional ECE Leadership track or specialize
in Child Development. By taking online courses combined with
self-directed assessments, which allow students to prove they have
knowledge for a particular course and don't need to take it, they
can finish the program in as few as 18 months2.
Rasmussen's ECE programs do not prepare students for licensed
teaching positions in any public-school setting; rather, students
will have the opportunity to help shape the futures of young
children from birth to age six.
To learn more about the ECE programs at Rasmussen University,
visit
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/early-childhood-education/.
To learn more about Rasmussen's alliance with the Southeast
Children's Fund and how DC LEADS Scholars can pursue their ECE
degree at Rasmussen University, visit
https://bit.ly/ECE-Childrens-Fund.
1100% coverage is subject to employer
policies and the student meeting all terms and conditions.
2Completion time is dependent on transfer
credits accepted and the number of courses completed each
term.
About Rasmussen University:
Rasmussen University, a university accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
(www.hlcommission.org), is dedicated to changing lives and the
communities it serves through innovative educational programs. As a
pioneer in career-focused education since 1900, the University is
defining a new generation of higher education that focuses on
competency-based education, technology and transferable skills.
Rasmussen offers undergraduate and graduate programs online and in
person at 22 campuses around the country. The University is
designed to lift and support its students every step of the way,
from each student's first credential to their last. Rasmussen is
dedicated to global enrichment, serving the underserved, and
meeting the evolving needs of diverse students, communities, and
economies. Rasmussen encourages its students, faculty, and staff to
strive for academic excellence, community enrichment and service to
the public good. Rasmussen is a wholly owned subsidiary of American
Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information about
Rasmussen University, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.
About American Public Education, Inc.:
American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), through its
institutions American Public University System
(APUS), Rasmussen University, Hondros
College of Nursing and Graduate School USA (GSUSA) provides education that transforms
lives, advances careers, and improves communities.
About Southeast Children's Fund:
Southeast Children's Fund is a nonprofit organization that
provides programs and services to enhance the health and welfare of
the children, families and communities of Washington, DC. SCF was awarded the DC LEAD
grant from OSSE in 2021. As the grant administrator, SCF leads and
oversees the support of the District's early childhood education
workforce to meet the minimum education requirements for the early
childhood workforce by providing a scholarship opportunity that
covers the cost of tuition and books for program scholars as they
pursue an associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood
education. For more information about SCF, please visit
www.sechildrensfund.org.
Contact: Molly Andersen
Mobile: 903.920.4366
Email: MAndersen@apei.com
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SOURCE Rasmussen University