Online Early Childhood Education (ECE) Degrees: Reviewing Top Programs

Choosing the Right Online ECE Degree

When you’re reviewing online programs for education degrees, your decision revolves around of host of factors, not the least of which is the type of degree and specialization you need. Undergraduate programs are often the starting place if you’ve never worked as a teacher before and need to learn the concepts and skills necessary for this career. That said, you could start your pursuit of a bachelor’s degree with an associate’s degree in a related field. Meanwhile, graduate degrees (such as masters and doctoral programs) build on students’ knowledge and experience to help them become leaders or teach the next generation of early childhood education professionals.

ECE Certificates

Certificates in early childhood education exist for both entry-level and advanced positions. Students who pursue these prior to a degree typically qualify for support roles, including positions as childcare workers, teaching assistants, personal care aides, and tutors. Those who enroll in them at the graduate level usually want to expand their knowledge in a particular area, such as teaching and diversity, special education, curriculum development, or school administration. These programs usually take less time and money than most types of degrees.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Certificate Program

Urban College of Boston

In the early childhood education certificate program offered by Urban College of Boston, students take courses about child growth and development, the exceptional child, early childhood curriculum, and guidance and discipline. If you’re interested in continuing on to the school’s early childhood education associate degree program, you can transfer all of the credits you earned from your certificate.

ECE Associate’s Degrees

Completing an online associate’s degree in early childhood education can be a great first step toward entering the field. These programs allow you to test the waters before committing to a four-year program. Many schools also offer the opportunity to transfer credits into a bachelor’s degree if you decide to pursue further education. Some of the skills and knowledge gained include the understanding of current educational trends and issues; the ability to use theories of childhood development to understand behaviors and learning abilities; and the development of skills related to lesson planning, classroom management, and discipline procedures.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Associate Degree Program

University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire’s Early Childhood Education Associate of Science degree familiarizes students with critical concepts and theories and how they are applied to the classroom. During your studies, you can acquire strong communication skills, so you’re able to communicate effectively with both children and their families. Also, writing skills are emphasized to foster communication with colleagues, families, and other ECE stakeholders.

ECE Bachelor’s Degrees

Completing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education allows you to seek licensure and work in a variety of teaching and administrative positions. These programs usually require four years of full-time study and the completion of 120-128 credits. Skills and competencies gained include understanding cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social-emotional development; using assessment methods, observational skills, and documentation to manage appropriate learning procedures; and creating age- and developmentally appropriate teaching and learning materials that meet the needs of many different types of students. Also, you will develop an understanding of classroom inclusion, diversity awareness, and pedagogy around equity.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College’s ECE bachelor’s degree program features a curriculum focused on the factors that impact child development and learning. Throughout your studies, you will learn the methodologies that educators use to create a nurturing environment for young learners. Also, students develop strong collaboration, self-reflection, and problem-solving skills.

ECE Master’s Degrees

While not required for working in a primary school classroom, online master’s degrees in early childhood education can give you the skills and credentials needed for high-level administrative positions. Master’s degrees in education also prepare you for a career that focuses on curricular development and assessment. You will learn how to implement evidence-based theories and methodologies to create more effective early education programs; appraise existing curricula and teaching methods to elicit better learning outcomes; and evaluate and assess methods for teachers, administrators, and curricular plans. You will also develop leadership skills to help schools and child care centers, and their staff, grow and evolve alongside emerging best practices.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Master’s Degree Program

Arizona State University

The ECE master’s degree program from Arizona State University is designed for those who already work in early childhood settings and want to move into a managerial role, or educators who want to specialize in this area of the field. Coursework covers literacy for young learners, foundations of early childhood education, and equitable learning environments.

ECE Doctoral Degrees

Online education PhD programs in early childhood education are designed for learners who want to pursue careers in research, policy development, leadership, or college faculty positions that require advanced knowledge of the field. These programs often require previous professional experience that can be built upon during coursework. You will gain an awareness of existing early childhood education policy and the conversations around how to move the field forward. Plus, you’ll learn to use cutting-edge research techniques to explore new best practices around teaching and learning.

STEPS Pick: Best Online Doctoral Degree Program

National University

National University’s early childhood education doctoral program is designed to help students hone their leadership, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, decision-making, and ethical skills. The coursework covers topics in early childhood program administration, early childhood development, and the strategies educators can use to partner with families and communities to best educate young children.

FAQs About Online ECE Programs

How long does an online ECE program take to complete?

Program length varies based on the type of degree you’re working toward. Bachelor’s degrees typically require four years of full-time study or six years of part-time study. Master’s programs can take anywhere from one to four years, depending on course requirements and whether you enroll on a full- or part-time basis. Doctorates in early childhood education, on average, require three to five years of study and completion of a dissertation.

What grades can you teach with an ECE degree?

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the term “early childhood education” encompasses children from birth through the age of 8. Given this definition, students who pursue a degree in this area can teach preschool through third grade. That being said, individual states set licensure requirements, so check with your state board to see if its definition differs from that given by NAEYC.

How much do early childhood education teachers make?

Salaries earned by early childhood education teachers vary based on factors such as job title, level of degree attained, amount of experience, and job location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides 2023 median pay to give you an idea of what to expect. Preschool teachers earned median salaries of $37,130 while those employed as preschool and childcare center directors brought home annual wages of $54,290. If your state allows you to work as a kindergarten teacher, the salary average is $63,670 each year.

Is an early childhood education degree the same as an elementary education degree?

Simply put, no. While both degrees give you the credentials needed to teach children, elementary education degree programs prepare students to educate learners aged five through 11, or kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade. Elementary education online degrees emphasize different coursework, including knowledge of developmental stages and appropriate curriculum. If working with slightly older children is more aligned to your goals, you may want to pursue this type of degree rather than early childhood education.

Will an early childhood education degree help me get a certification or license?

Certification and licensure requirements depend on the state in which you hope to teach and whether you work in a public or private school. All public schools mandate licensure and certification for teachers. Private schools have more leeway in their requirements. Even if you want to work in a childcare center, many states require centers to maintain licensure and staff to possess certain certifications. It’s best to contact your state board of education or licensing to learn about requirements and ensure your school meets those mandates.

Early Childhood Education Degree Concentrations

When you earn your degree, you may want to choose a specialization to focus on. Getting expertise in a specific area can help you pursue certain positions and potentially command a higher salary. The following are some early childhood education degree concentrations that you can choose from based on your interests and career goals.

Child Development

The childhood development concentration deals with theories surrounding human growth and development. There is a special emphasis on the cognitive, emotional, mental, and physical development of children from birth through adolescence. During this program, you may review case studies to gain an understanding of how developmental shifts play out in myriad ways.

Early Childhood Policy

This concentration introduces students to the school, state, and federal policies and laws that govern early childhood education. After a thorough review of enacted education laws, the curriculum typically moves on to cover the current trends in policy development. Also, in this specialization, you may learn how research can best inform new ways of accomplishing learning goals.

School Psychology

This specialization dives into some of the theories and frameworks surrounding school psychology. The coursework usually focuses on how different teaching, evaluation, and classroom management techniques affect learning outcomes. You may also get the opportunity to consider current methodologies surrounding child psychology and the impact they have on what happens in the classroom.

Special Education

With a focus on how to best serve exceptional learners, this specialization gives students the knowledge they need to meet children where they are in the classroom. Also, you will learn how to create developmentally appropriate materials. The curriculum additionally covers strategies for creating inclusive classrooms for learners of all abilities.

Teaching/Instruction

Those who choose this specialization get a crash course on how to effectively structure their classrooms, lesson plans, and teaching strategies to best serve students. You may be required to read case studies on various types of teaching and instruction. Also, you can complete projects that help you hone skills in both areas.

Ranking Top ECE Programs Online

Thanks to early childhood education degree programs that are offered online, aspiring educators can pursue their passions for teaching while balancing other responsibilities. To help you receive the best possible education, we’ve ranked the top online programs for your review. These schools have been curated based on specific criteria, including accreditation, curriculum, and flexibility. For a full explanation of how each school was measured, be sure to read through our methodology.