Early Childhood Education Degrees Online

This is a great time to earn an early childhood education degree online. Just as the field is demanding more advanced degrees, online schools are competing to offer better educational experiences at record-low prices.

How valuable are online degrees in early childhood education?

Prospective students should be wary of diploma mills, but many well-established schools such as the University of Wisconsin now offer degree programs online.

When choosing a school, make sure that it’s accredited by an agency that employers trust. All of the online programs listed here are accredited by federally-recognized agencies.

What is early childhood education?

Early childhood education involves educating children under five years old.  Some people extend the definition to include educating children up to eight years old (third grade).

Courses in early childhood education cover developmental psychology and theories of learning. Most professionals in this field work in pre-schools and elementary schools as teachers and administrators. Graduates also work in curriculum development, research teaching and learning, and teach other educators.

Training programs in early childhood education tend to be either child-centered or family-centered. Child-centered programs include daycare and preschool programs that are designed to promote children’s cognitive and social development. Family-centered programs include parent education programs, two-generation programs with names like “Mommy and Me” and “Daddy and Me”, and family support groups for people whose children have special needs.

What degrees are needed to work in early childhood education?

The minimum requirement for an entry-level job in early childhood education, such as teaching assistant, is a high school diploma. Teaching assistants complete tasks for teachers, teach students through play, supervise children on the playground, and have other non-administrative responsibilities.

After the high school diploma or GED, an associate’s degree can be earned in about two years of full-time study online or on campus. With an associate’s degree it’s possible to find employment as a pre-school teacher or even lead teacher. These positions can provide excellent work experience, but pay tends to be low and there is little opportunity for advancement. A better option is to earn a bachelor’s degree, which also enables one to become a teacher in pre-school or elementary school. This degree typically takes four years of full-time study and commands a higher salary.

After the bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree can lead to an even higher teaching salary plus jobs in school administration. When taken full-time, master’s programs generally involve one or two years of study. Many flexible online programs have been designed for working professionals, and some master’s programs are intensive summers-only programs.

It’s also possible to earn a doctorate in early childhood education. Programs range from three to five years of full-time study. Ph.D.s in this field usually work as professors and researchers.

How much does an early childhood education professional earn?

Despite the difference that a high-quality education can make, early childhood educators tend to earn noticeably less money than their counterparts who work with older children and adults. Teachers in early childhood education typically earn about $25,000 per year, though some regions of the country offer higher salaries. College professors make anywhere from $35,000 to $100,000 annually.

Which schools have early childhood education degree programs online?

Hundreds of early childhood education programs are offered online at every level from certificate program to Ph.D. Here is a sampling of accredited programs:

Associate’s and bachelor’s programs:

  • The University of Cincinnati’s Early Childhood Learning Community offers associate and bachelor degrees in early childhood education. Courses are available in both English and Spanish, and lectures can be viewed online, on CD, or on videotape.
  • The University of Alaska’s Juneau campus offers rural Alaskans a distance learning associate’s program in early childhood education.

Graduate programs in early childhood education:

  • The University of North Dakota offers a Master of Science in Elementary Education degree via distance learning.
  • Oregon State University offers a master’s in elementary education with an endorsement in early childhood education through a combination of on-campus and e-campus lessons.
  • West Virginia University offers online master’s programs in elementary education through its Department of Curriculum and Instruction.