Online Early Childhood Education Degrees
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Early childhood educators use principles of development, psychology, and education to instruct very young children in public schools, child care facilities, and private educational institutions. More schools are increasingly requiring these teachers to have at least an associate degree in early childhood education, although the requirements vary between states. Early childhood educators with advanced degrees in the topic may become curriculum developers, head teachers, or post-secondary instructors in education.
Early childhood education is a unique educational philosophy developed for children from birth to age five. Early childhood teachers help very young children gain the basic skills necessary to enter the K-12 school system, like language development and motor coordination. The degree to enter a career as a preschool teacher varies by state and educational facility, with some requiring as little as a few post-high school courses in early childhood education, and others requiring a bachelor's degree.
Degree programs in early childhood education combine behavioral theory, psychology, pedagogical theory, and instructional techniques specific to early childhood education; some also require in-class teaching experience as part of the degree. The job market for early childhood teachers has high turnover, and thus new opportunities are constantly opening up for qualified individuals; an increasing emphasis on preschool education will also create new jobs in the coming years.
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Early Childhood Education Degrees
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- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctorate
- Certification
Learn more about Capella University
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Teaching: Early childhood education teachers instruct children up to age five in all subject areas, using a mixture of one-on-one teaching, play, and group work.
- Curriculum Development: Curriculum developers have an advanced background in early childhood education, and they use their experience to construct the curriculum that is used in schools and child care facilities.
- Postsecondary Instruction: These professionals instruct college students in early childhood education courses.
- Special Education: Special education teachers work with young children with learning disabilities, to help them learn life skills, literacy, and other early education concepts.
What degree levels are available?
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2-3 years to complete
- Doctoral Degree: 4-5 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
The necessary education for preschool teachers varies greatly by state and by teaching facility. Some states only require these teachers to have a high school degree and some teaching experience, while others require at least an associate degree and an early childhood teaching credential. Publicly funded Head Start programs require teachers to have the two-year degree, which includes general education classes like math, English composition, and natural science, as well as classes in early childhood education teaching strategies. Some associate programs require students to complete a practicum of in-class teaching experience as part of the degree.
State-funded pre-kindergarten classes for 4-year-olds usually have more stringent requirements than Head Start programs, and many require teachers to have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related field. Bachelor's programs provide a more in-depth introduction to early childhood education, and require students to take courses in curriculum planning, developmental theory, and instruction techniques for different academic subject areas. A master's degree in early childhood education is designed for experienced teachers who want to learn advanced approaches to teaching. The master's degree can open up career opportunities as a curriculum designer, college professor, or head of teaching in an early childhood education facility. Master's programs provide students with a historical and theoretical background of early childhood education and teach them advanced instructional methods in different subject areas.
The PhD in early childhood education gives educators the chance to conduct research into an area of education that reflects their interests. Over a period of four or five years, doctoral students take advanced coursework in early childhood education, formulate a research question, and use qualitative and quantitative research methods to investigate that question. These advanced programs are appropriate for someone interested in a career as a college faculty member, governmental education officer, or curriculum designer. (BLS)
Professional certification may be required by some school systems, and it may be a good idea for any early childhood educator looking to advance in their career. The Council for Professional Recognition offers the child development associate certification in four areas of early childhood education: preschool, infant/toddler, family child care, and home visitor. Some states also require early childhood educators of special needs children to have a separate certification; this certification can often be earned concurrently with a master's degree. Students are advised to check the particular requirements in their state. Teachers can expect to learn a variety of top learning strategies to employ in classrooms including project-based learning, child led learning, and multiple intelligence theory. They will also learn classroom assessment techniques in order to create an environment where students will flourish.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
Accredited degree programs in early childhood education trains students to become mentors and educators of children from infancy through approximately age 8. These degrees include coursework in psychology and sociology to provide a background in the cognitive and emotional development of children. Students also take classes in education fundamentals and teaching skills, which train them with the practical abilities to develop lesson plans and lead a class of young children. Like most bachelor's programs, these degrees also require students to take foundational liberal arts classes in areas like math, English, and natural science, along with the major courses in childhood education.
Social science classes in psychology and sociology discuss the cognitive development that children experience during their early years, and the social environment which can influence their classroom performance. For example, the class called Childhood Development covers learning abilities and other characteristics of children during different stages of their youth. Sociology classes like Family Relations look at the larger societal organizations and relationships that make a difference in a child's development.
Along with this social science background, courses in pedagogy and teaching skills prepare the student for the classroom. For example, the course Foundations for Literacy discusses ways to teach reading to young children and encourage a lifelong love of literature. Teaching Practicums place students in local schools, where they can observe real-life teaching and practice actually instructing young children. Another common course called Working With Parents discusses techniques for improving a child's education through effective communication with his or her guardians.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
Yes, practical teaching experience is an integral part of the early childhood education bachelor's program. Students are required to teach in practicums, which mimic real-world teaching situations; most programs also require students to intern at preschools and other child care centers as teachers. Distance learning programs are structured to allow the student to get this real-world experience at a facility in their local community.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
A few other degrees have similar course requirements to the early childhood education degree. A degree in education is more general, but it also covers many of the same human behavior and pedagogical topics. On the other hand, a degree in early childhood education, with a focus in special education, looks more closely at one subset of young learners.
The four-year program in psychology, with an emphasis on childhood development, will cover many of the same social science classes involved in the early childhood education program. Similarly, the degree in sociology with a focus in human development or family studies will also provide a sociological approach to the study of childhood. Individuals who already have a bachelor's degree can pursue the master's degree in education, which is a prerequisite for most K-12 teaching positions.
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