A master’s in early childhood education degree focuses on the lives of children from birth to age eight, the years that experts say have a profound impact on a person’s development into adolescence and adulthood. Early childhood education covers academics, social skills, cognitive abilities, and healthy habits.
Some people with this degree find work in education as teachers or administrators, while others pursue social work and policy reform. This degree takes about one to three years to complete. It prepares a student to work as a preschool teacher, a job for which the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 15% (much faster than average) from 2021 to 2031, with a median annual salary in 2021 of about $30,000. You also would gain a foundation to work as a principal; the job growth for elementary, middle, and high school principals is projected at about 5%, with a median annual salary in 2021 of about $98,000.
Students with a master’s in early childhood education also could become childcare center directors. This career had a median annual salary in 2021 of about $47,000, with a projected annual job growth of about 8%.
The average tuition costs is about $12,400 a year for a public university and about $26,600 to attend a private institution.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Program
Choose your area of study
The first step in choosing an online master’s in early childhood education program is deciding on your career goals.
Some teachers and other educators pursue these degrees to advance to administrative roles or eventually earn a doctorate. Others have a specialty in mind, such as working as a special education teacher or a school psychologist. Others want a role where they can advocate for policies that protect and support young children and their families. Depending on your intended path, you’ll want to select a school that makes sense with where you want to go.
Research schools and programs
The next step is to look into different schools and their program offerings. If you’re pursuing an online master’s in early childhood education to teach, your teaching license requires you to hold a degree from an accredited school. Check whether a school or its program is accredited through the U.S. Department of Education or the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Accreditation ensures that the program meets specific educational quality standards and determines whether you can receive federal financial aid.
Also, look at whether the school has in-person requirements, such as working a certain number of supervised hours at a particular facility. Working with young children is essential for this degree, even for online learners. How does the school facilitate online students completing in-person field experience? Some schools have an on-campus childhood development center accessible for students who live nearby but also can approve other centers.
Remember to research what support services each school offers for online students and what networking opportunities are available. Look for this information on the school’s website, marketing materials, and social media profiles, as well as by speaking with program representatives.
Prepare for tests and applications
Each program varies in its application requirements and process. However, most online master’s degree programs in early childhood education require:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Transcripts from previous colleges
- Letter(s) of recommendation from academic and professional references
- A resume or record of your employment history
- A personal statement or statement of purpose outlining your achievements and plans
You’ll also likely need to submit standardized test scores like those from the GRE. If you need to take the GRE, prepare and sit for the exam while researching schools.
Select your program
Some students target a single program based on their needs and interests, while others submit multiple applications to boost their chances of acceptance. Whatever path you choose, remember that most schools charge application fees, which can add up if you apply to several schools. If you need financial assistance with these fees, contact the school to ask about a fee waiver.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Every school with an online master’s in early childhood education program should specify the financial support students can receive, including scholarships, fellowships, grants, assistantships, and work-study. Several financial programs for prospective teachers, such as the TEACH Grant Program, offer aid to those willing to teach in high-need fields. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for federal student loans and need-based institutional aid.
Employer tuition assistance benefits are also an option for students already working. If you have detailed questions about how to pay for your degree, talk with your school’s financial aid office.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Programs
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How We Rank Schools
This list features some of the best online Master’s in Early Childhood Education programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Early Childhood Education programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Program?
Online programs for a master’s degree in early childhood education vary based on the school. Still, you can expect a core curriculum about child development, foundational skills, the principles of teaching, and developing a curriculum.
Although they have online components, early childhood education programs also often require in-person field training, which can be tough to balance with personal commitments and a current full-time job. A program offering part-time enrollment or asynchronous, meaning it’s mainly self-paced, might be a way for you to balance your education with your other responsibilities.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online program to earn your master’s degree in early childhood education
- Childhood Learning and Development: Because this degree focuses on children’s lives up to age eight, expect to learn about all aspects of growth, from physical and cognitive to social and emotional. Such classes also cover comprehending the processes through which children learn and develop, which guide your approach to teaching.
- Curriculum Assessment and Design: Here, students evaluate educational materials and create their learning objectives. They’ll select appropriate instructional resources and develop methods for assessing students’ progress.
- Family and Community Engagement: Families and communities are essential partnerships in early childhood education. Such a course would cover establishing these collaborative connections that support and enhance young children’s learning.
- Early Childhood Education Policy and Advocacy: A course like this examines practices and policies that support quality education programs for young children. Expect to learn about obtaining enhanced training, securing funding, and improving accessibility.
Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master’s in early childhood education degree program?
Check the application webpage for your school of choice. Some schools have online portals to accept applications, while others still use traditional mail. The Common Application, or Common App, is a streamlined admissions application system that enables students to apply to multiple schools.
Just be sure to have electronic versions of all the required information, such as test scores, college transcripts, work experience, and letters of recommendation. Talk with a school admissions counselor to verify you have everything the school needs and check that you have the correct submission deadlines.
How much does an online master’s in early childhood education degree cost?
Graduate tuition generally costs an average of about $19,750 a year for 2020-2021 (the most recent statistics available), according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Compare that to an undergraduate degree, which costs about $25,900 annually, including tuition, fees, room, and board.
These records also show the average tuition for a public institution was about $12,400 a year, about half the cost of the $26,600 for a private institution.
Your school’s costs will vary depending on its costs per credit, the credits per course, fees, and other expenses. In addition to books, you’ll need to factor in any required hands-on experience, which might take away from your earning time at a job. Some schools also require technology purchases; for instance, the University of Washington wants online students to have a webcam, plus course-specific and video editing software.
How long does it take to earn a master’s degree in early childhood education online?
The cost depends on the school and the curriculum. Most schools estimate their online master’s programs in early childhood education take about one to three years to complete. The total number of credits will impact the program’s length, as will whether you attend the program part-time or full-time. However, some schools offer asynchronous learning, where students can meet assignment deadlines while studying at their own pace, as well as some accelerated learning options.
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