Earn an Online Early Childhood Education Bachelors

Early childhood education bachelors degree online programs show you how to make effective curriculum for young children. Programs teach how to have a direct impact on the lives of your students by creating environments that promote learning and development.  

Did You Know?

By not investing $10,000 per student in early education, that student goes on to cost society $250,000 later in life from lower earnings and more need for public aid.

Early Childhood Education Bachelors Degree Online

What Is Early Childhood Education?

Early childhood education is the creation, implementation, and evaluation of effective course-work for children in preschool to third grade. The focus is to grow the social, academic, physical, and emotional development of these young children. As a result, early education bachelors degree programs focus on how to create and assess programs to effectively teach young kids.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INSIGHT

"Early childhood education is a child's foundation for future learning and the ability to be successful in life."

Dr. LouAnn H. Bonnett

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Dr. LouAnn H. Bonnett, Associate Professor Education (Clarion University of Pa)

Early Childhood Education Bachelors Degree Online: Basics

Earning an early childhood education bachelors degree online provides you with the skills and knowledge to create healthy and supportive environments for children to learn. Typically, this includes how to create effective curriculum and design strategies to promote positive development. But it also includes setting milestones and judging the success of programs.

Different Types of Early Childhood Education Bachelors Degree Programs

While searching for a perfect online bachelors in early childhood education program, you’ll find that there are two types of degrees offered.  

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Bachelor of Science (BS)

Most often, Early Childhood Education Bachelors Degree Online programs are BA degrees. Typically, those programs provide more opportunities for you to take liberal arts electives. On the other hand, BS degrees are normally more technically focused with less opportunity to take classes in other areas.

Early Childhood Education Admissions Requirements

Early childhood education admissions requirements vary from program to program. Typically, programs require that you’ve earned a high school diploma, GED, or an equivalent diploma. Most schools request that you send all relevant transcripts as well. Schools also normally ask that you fill out and send an application.

Some programs may also require that you earned your high school diploma with a minimum GPA and scored a minimum score on the SATs. However, all programs are different. Check with individual schools to see their specific requirements to make sure you’re a perfect fit.

Early Childhood Education Degree Requirements

Typically, bachelors degree programs require that you complete 120 credits. Most full-time students can earn their bachelors degree in four years. However, this depends on the specific program and course availability. This includes taking a number of courses in Early Childhood Education, as well as a number of General Education Courses.

Most programs also require that you serve 16 weeks of full-time practice teaching at schools. This provides students with a chance to receive supervision and guidance from teaching personnel.

Online Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education: What You’ll Learn

While pursuing an early childhood education bachelors degree online, programs strive to teach you the basics of child development, family systems, and instruction methods. Typically, this is through a mix of theory and practical experience. The end goal of this is to learn to promote child learning and assess and support young minds.

Online Early Childhood Education Courses

Common courses while you earn your early childhood education bachelors degree online are focused on providing you a complete understanding of teaching young children. Therefore, courses show you how to create curriculum, evaluate students, and provide ideal environments for child development. Some of the common online early childhood education courses include the following.

  • Foundations of Early Childhood
  • Child Growth and Development
  • Early Childhood Literacy
  • Math for Elementary Education
  • Family and Culture
  • Learning with Technology
  • Assessment, Accountability, and Teaching in the Classroom
  • Early Childhood Behavior Management
  • Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods
  • Social and Emotional Growth of Infants and Toddlers

Keep in mind that every program is different. Therefore, course offerings vary from program to program. Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for more information about the specific courses for individual programs.

General Education Course Requirements

In addition to the core courses required to earn your online early childhood education bachelors degree, most programs also require you take a number of general education courses. Typically, these include a number of liberal arts courses, such as the following.

  • English Composition
  • Everyday Sociology
  • Applications of College Algebra
  • Psychology
  • World Civilization

Specific course requirements vary from program to program. Therefore, check with individual schools for their course offerings and requirements.

What Can You Do With an Early Childhood Education Degree?

After you earn your early childhood education bachelors degree, you may pursue a number of different careers. Some of these, and their 2015 median annual salary, include the following.

  • Preschool Teachers: $28,570i
  • Special Education Teachers: $56,800 ii
  • Preschool and Childcare Directors: $45,670iii
  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers: $54,550iv

To become a preschool teacher, typically you only need a high school diploma and a certification. However, employers normally prefer candidates with at least some postsecondary education.v To become a preschool and childcare director, you usually need a college degree and a nationally recognized credential.vi For both special education teachers and kindergarten and elementary school teachers, candidates are required to have a bachelors degree and a state-issued certification.vii

To make sure that you meet all of your state’s requirements,ask them each for their specific criteria.

Additional Certifications and Licenses in Early Childhood Education

Typically, every state has different rules for preschool teachers and for preschool and childcare directors. However, most states require one of the following.

  • Child Development Associate (CDA) from the Council for Professional Recognition
  • Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) from the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation

In addition, every state has their own licenses or certifications for special education teachers, as well as kindergarten and elementary school teachers. Typically, this includes a teacher preparation program and professional development classes that you need to take each year.

Take the Next Step!

If you’re looking for an opportunity to impact the lives of young children by promoting learning and development, take the next step. Click on any of the sponsored listings on this page for more information about specific programs. You can even contact schools directly to find a perfect match for you.


i bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm#tab-5 ii bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm#tab-5 iii bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm#tab-5 iv  bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm#tab-5 v bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm#tab-4 vi bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm#tab-4 vii bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm#tab-4