An online master’s degree in early childhood education prepares graduate students to work with young children from birth to age 5-7. They also work with families in the education of their infant. These professionals have gained the knowledge and expertise to start instruction of fine and gross motor skills with babies to more complicated subjects like beginning mathematics and science when the children are a little older. Many graduates with a master’s degree in early childhood education will work as preschool, kindergarten or elementary school teachers. However, some may prefer to pursue a career in child care or as a preschool director. Still others may specialize in an area such as working with children who have special needs.
According to a recent article by U.S. News and World Report, early childhood educators who have earned a master’s degree will earn on average $13,000 more each year than those with only a bachelor’s degree. Also, graduates of a master’s degree program will have more upward mobility and job opportunities than those with only an undergraduate degree.
Graduate students in any one of these twenty online colleges and universities will learn how to design a classroom according to education standards of the 21st Century, enhanced levels of instruction of young children, and/or administrative and directorial skills for early childhood education programs.
quick links
- Best Online Schools for Master’s in Early Childhood Education
- BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
- PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
- GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
- WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
- BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
- LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
- UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA ONLINE
- CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
- WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
- MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE
- UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
- CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
- Frequently Asked Questions
For more important information: 10 Best Online Schools for Associate’s in Early Childhood Education, Top Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Online Degree Programs or our guide to the Best Concentrations in Education
Best Online Schools for Master’s in Early Childhood Education
METHODOLOGY: For each ranking and list published by OnlineSchoolsCenter.com, the researcher/writers use strict standards in their selection of online colleges and universities. For the Best Online Masters in Early Childhood Education, the criteria included:
- A master’s degree in early childhood education that gives students the necessary skills to instruct children from birth to age 5-7,
- An online education that is flexible enough to accommodate individual schedules, both professional and personal,
- An array of coursework that aligns to modern standards in early childhood education,
- Regional and programmatic accreditation, as well as exemplary retention/graduation rates (a representation of student satisfaction),
- Notability among academic and journalistic resources that supply the most accurate statistical information,
- And instructors are both well-experienced and well-credentialed in early childhood education.
For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY
MA in Education, Leadership in ECE
Program Standouts:
The Brandman University online masters in early education are geared toward students interested in becoming directors, administrators, or college-level instructors of early childhood education programs. There are focus topics in marketing, leadership skills, human resources, and fiscal planning skills. Students learn how to develop innovative early childhood curricula, as well as how to analyze existing programs, systems, and structures according to the principles set forth by the National Association for Education of Young Children. This program is available in either a fully online or a hybrid format.
Brandman University Alumni have only excellent things to say about the online masters in early education degrees, and how they have transformed their teaching experiences. These testimonies can be found on the Brandman University website, along with tuition, location, and coursework information. Graduates of this master’s in early childhood have the tools necessary to create outstanding educational programs for young children.
Campus Location: Irvine, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Coursework Sample:
- Research and Evaluation Methods
- Democracy, Education, and Social Change
- Foundations of Leadership in Early Childhood Settings
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 67%
Graduation Rate: 81%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BRANDMAN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD MASTER’S DEGREE
UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO
M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Program Standouts:
The coursework in the Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Toledo is designed for teachers and administrators in childcare, preschool, and early learning. The coursework is an excellent choice for either an instructor or a leader of early childhood programs. Students will learn how to identify relationships in the family and educational unit and nature crucial developmental processes between parents and children. There are strong leadership qualities in the University of Toledo program, giving administrators and directors the necessary tools to take on the entire school and programs. This online school maintains partnerships with facilities that provide internship and real-world experiences, thereby fostering tactile learning approaches, as opposed to merely learning in the virtual classroom. Toledo operates an entire Department of Early Childhood Education, which is symbolic of their dedication to the discipline by giving students all of the resources they could ever require.
Campus Location: Toledo, OH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Coursework Sample:
- Effective Teaching Practices
- Curriculum Adaptations and Strategies
- Education of Talented and Gifted Children
Acceptance Rate: 94.4%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 72.2%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO’S ONLINE MASTER DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
Master’s in Early Childhood: Inclusive Education and Curriculum Instruction
Program Standouts:
Portland State University Online provides two outlets through which online graduate students can earn their masters in early childhood education. The first option is specific to this ranking and has an emphasis on Inclusive Education and Curriculum Instruction, and also includes three additional concentration options—Constructivism in Early Childhood, Infant/Toddler Mental Health, and Early Childhood Special Education. The Early Intervention Special Education program is intended for special educators who instruct children up to age 5 with disabilities.
In either of the two available programs, master of early childhood education online students will receive outstanding support, both academic and professional. PSU employs only top faculty members who can introduce students, not only to the intricacies of the profession but to other early childhood educators who have changed the field.
Campus Location: Portland, OR
Accreditation:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Program Options:
- Early Childhood: Inclusive Education and Curriculum & Instruction
- Early Intervention Special Education
Acceptance Rate: 92.4%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 61.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY’S EARLY CHILDHOOD MASTER’S
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Master of Education, various emphases
Program Standouts:
There are two available online Masters of Education degrees at Georgia Southern University that have a focus on early childhood education. The Elementary Education degree educates students in the instruction of students aged preschool to fifth grade. The curriculum is based on natural development and diverse values. Graduate students gain valuable and transferable experience in Elementary Education concentration. The Reading Education program utilizes practice and theory to prepare graduate students to teach young children how to read. This master’s degree program is an excellent choice for both teachers and paraprofessionals.
Georgia Southern University has been offing online degree programs for many years, and over that time has perfected the delivery of distance education. The master’s degrees in early childhood education are, therefore, some of the best for online students, as they have been fine-tuned to reflect the needs of distance learners.
Campus Location:
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Program Options:
- Elementary Education
- Reading Education
Acceptance Rate: 68.3%
Retention Rate: 79%
Graduation Rate: 49.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MASTERS ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO
Master of Education, various emphases
Program Standouts:
There are three options for early childhood master’s degrees at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. However, the most applicable to this ranking would be the Birth-Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Studies Education and Development degree. This is a fascinating approach to the displacing that brings in numerous fields and departments to create an excellent lens into early childhood education. Students develop engaging programs for young children that are well-suited for children with or without disabilities. The curriculum focuses on children from birth to age five, and how to work both with the child and their families in the acquisition of motor skills and knowledge in the very first weeks of their life.
Those who are interested in an early childhood masters online that is more focused on a specific area of teaching can investigate the other two opportunities available from UNC Greensboro. Teacher Education degrees have Math and Science focuses so that elementary educators can fine-tune their instructive skills in STEM courses for children.
Campus Location: Greensboro, NC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Program Options:
- B-K Interdisciplinary Studies Education and Development
- Teacher Education: Elementary Mathematics Education
- Teacher Education: elementary Science Education
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 56.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBORO’S MASTERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ONLINE
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
ONLINE M.A. in LITERACY Education
Program Standouts:
West Virginia University has two options for graduate students seeking a master’s in early childhood education online. The primary degree option would be the Advanced Master of Arts in Elementary Education. This program addresses all of the psychological and educational needs of young children in their first years of schooling. Coursework can be individualized with the help of WVU advisors to ensure that students are getting everything that they need out of their early childhood masters degrees. Students applying to this program need to have a current teacher certification in elementary education. The coursework builds upon existing knowledge and skills to advance and expand teachers’ levels of instructional expertise. West Virginia University utilizes high-quality learning platforms to facilitate the 100% online Elementary Education program. The Master of Arts in Literacy Education is a good option for teachers who wish to enhance their skills in working with young children and their reading skills.
Campus Location: Morgantown, WV
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Program Options:
- Elementary Education
- Literacy Education
Acceptance Rate: 71.9%
Retention Rate: 80%
Graduation Rate: 55.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE IN LITERACY EDUCATION WITH CERTIFICATION
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
Arizona State University’s online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction provides the necessary coursework to train students to design classes and implement teaching plans for young children. This program trains graduate students to work with children ages 0-8. ASU offers accelerated online coursework throughout 7.5-week terms, which is much faster than most other accelerated programs. Students can choose to complete their degree with a certification, which is an additional 15 hours of coursework. The coursework is designed for students who already have a professional and educational history in the education of young children, and who are also considering doctoral studies. ASU is one of the most popular online schools in the nation because it’s programs are so accommodating of individual students.
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Coursework Sample:
- Emergent Literacy
- Child Guidance and Management: Child, Family, Community, and Culture
- Mathematics in Early Childhood Education
Acceptance Rate: 84.1%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 65.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Arts in Elementary Education – Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
Ball State University’s online master in early childhood education is delivered through the Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. There is also an online Master’s Degree in Special Education available which allows graduate students to focus their coursework in the education of young children. The Elementary Education Master’s Degree provides topics in leadership, curriculum design, and reading/literacy instruction. Students can choose from three different specialization options, including one in Early Childhood Education. Within this ECE concentration, students can further specialize their degree with another focus area in one of many different topics, such as Autism, Human Development, and Learning, or Response to Intervention.
Ball State University is consistently ranked as one of the most excellent online schools for master’s degrees. Moreover, this makes the online MA in Early Childhood Education, one of the best in the country! Readers can find detailed coursework listings of each program on the BSU website, and see the vast array of exciting courses available to them.
Campus Location: Muncie, IN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council for the Association of Educator Preparation
Program Options:
- Elementary Education
- Special Education
Acceptance Rate: 62.1%
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 59.4%
LEARN MORE ABOUT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER’S IN ECE DEGREE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
M.S. in Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
The online Master in Early Childhood Education degree from the University of North Dakota is a non-licensing program that prepares students to work with young children in a variety of educational environments. This online program blends research, theory, and practice while students learn to develop coursework for children, as well as communication with families and communities. The UND degree has been ranked in the top twenty of the master’s in early childhood education programs by more than five journalistic resources. Graduates from the University of North Dakota will be prepared to work in leadership roles in public and private schools, Head Start programs, education centers, administrative and directorial positions, and community college teaching. The coursework touches on many areas that aren’t covered by other programs, such as the Language Development and Cognition in Children course, which trains students to approach infants in the acquisition of language.
Campus Location: Grand Forks, ND
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
Coursework Sample:
- Collaborative Relationships: Home, School, and Community
- Curricular Foundations in Early Childhood Education
- Language Development and Cognition in Children
Acceptance Rate: 83.5%
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 53.1%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA’S MASTER’s DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ONLINE
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
Liberty University is an Evangelical Christian online school that provides some of the most popular online degree programs in the country, including the outstanding Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education. Classes at Liberty University are delivered at an accelerated, 8-week rate, and are also 100% online and flexible. The program provides the best practices utilized in schools and education centers today, all of which are grounded in the principles of Christianity. This is an advanced curriculum that demands all of the learning faculties of online students in the acquisition of skills in working with young children. Students work closely with faculty members and classmates in real-world learning experiences. The coursework approaches working with children with disabilities, as well, giving the curriculum an incredibly well-rounded approach to a master’s in early childhood education.
Campus Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Coursework Sample:
- Advance Child Development
- Current Issues in Early Childhood Education
- Behavior Management
Acceptance Rate: 29.8%
Retention Rate: 84%
Graduation Rate: 42.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MASTERS DEGREE ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
The University of Colorado Denver offers the online Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education with an option of licensure or endorsement, both of which guarantee that students will take their career to the next level. The program is known for its attention to culturally and linguistically diverse communities, families, and students. This flexible program can be taken in either a fully online or hybrid format, depending on students’ learning requirements. There are three concentration options available in this online master of early childhood education, all of which can be found below. The concentrations approach all of the professional areas of the field, from administration to curriculum design to instruction. This program emphasizes the understanding of diverse populations and working with students and families from multiple ethnicities, cultures, and language groups.
Campus Location: Denver, CO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Colorado Department of Education
Coursework Sample:
- Administration and Leadership
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Teaching and Learning
Acceptance Rate: 65.2%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 61%
LEARN MORE ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MASTERS ONLINE
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
DEGREE
Program Standouts:
The University at Albany is a part of the State University of New York System and supplies numerous online masters in education degrees. Graduate students at this school have two opportunities to earn their masters in early childhood. The two-degree programs are very similar in nature, but the difference between them is that the Childhood Education degree is focused more on the instruction of young children in an academic environment, while the Early Childhood Education coursework provides training in administrative and directorial aspects of designing early childhood programs. Many crossover courses make the degrees very alike. Readers who are interested in other types of masters of education degrees should navigate to the University at Albany online program website, as there are other exciting options as well, such as the Literacy Master’s and the Reading Master’s programs.
Campus Location: Albany, NY
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Program Options:
- Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 67.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY’S ONLINE MASTER’S IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA ONLINE
Master of Arts in Education or Master of Education, various emphases
Program Standouts:
At the University of Nebraska Online, which is maintained within the University of Nebraska Lincoln campus, provides three opportunities in early childhood masters online. There are opportunities available for students who desire a career in special education, elementary education, or early childhood education. For the ECE programs, students will learn methods and practices associated with either curriculum design or working with students with disabilities. UNL Online is one of the only schools on this ranking to provide an early childhood education master’s degree with a specialization in Montessori, which is a system of education that seeks to develop natural interests and activities.
The University of Nebraska Online System has a huge amount of online masters in education degrees that give aspiring teachers many different avenues through which to obtain graduate-level education. These early childhood master’s degrees are particularly focused on curriculum design and creating courses that allow young children to learn and develop naturally.
Campus Location: Lincoln, NE
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Program Options:
- MA Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education
- MA Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Montessori – Early Childhood
- MA Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction – Early Childhood Education
- MA or M Ed. in Special Education – Early Childhood Education
Acceptance Rate: 64.4%
Retention Rate: 83%
Graduation Rate: 66.5%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA ONLINE’S ONLINE MASTER’s DEGREES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON
Master of Science in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, various emphases
Program Standouts:
California State University, Fullerton, provides several different options for online masters in early childhood education. There is a trend in the focus options for the degrees that are toward a 21st-century style of teaching that includes educational technologies. Students learn how to build classrooms upon these theories and with such technologies. The CSU, Fullerton College of Education has other options in early childhood master’s degrees, such as the Literacy and Reading degree. These curricula will drastically enhance any teacher’s abilities in the modern classroom.
The California State University System is well-known for its excellent online degree programs. CalState, Fullerton maintains one of the most prestigious online education degrees in America, with exciting options in early childhood education masters degrees online. Students at this online school can count on excellent faculty members from all corners of the education discipline. There are also online options available for masters in special education and high school education.
Campus Location: Fullerton, CA
Accreditation:
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Program Options:
- Elementary Curriculum and Instruction – Diversity
- Elementary Curriculum and Instruction – 21st Century Learning
- Education Technology
- Literacy and Reading
Acceptance Rate: 45.7%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 61.9%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON’S ONLINE MASTERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREES
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
MA in Elementary Education
Program Standouts:
The early childhood education master’s degree online from the University of Alabama gives students the necessary skills and information to gain masters-level certification. Bama by Distance is an incredibly affordable online school with tuition rates much lower than others on this list at $420 per credit hour. The coursework is specifically designed to accommodate the schedules of busy working adults who want to expand their professional horizons as teachers in the areas of research, practice, and curriculum design. Students will learn how to improve the curriculum and classroom design for children up to fifth grade.
Alumni and current students at the University of Alabama have only the most glowing comments about the school’s online learning platforms. This online master’s in early education is ideal for military personnel and veterans, and the school is highly supportive of these individuals. Classes at Bama by Distance are taught by experts in the field of early childhood education, and the program is considered one of the finest in the country by some resources.
Campus Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Alabama State Department of Education
Coursework Sample:
- Evaluation of Classroom Learning
- Guiding Early/Elementary Pupil Learning
- Early Childhood and Elementary School Curriculum
Acceptance Rate: 53.3%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 66.7%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MASTERS
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY
Master in Early Childhood Education
Program Standouts:
West Chester University’s Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education gives students three tracks through which to focus their coursework. It is an excellent program for elementary educators of all specializations and pursuits, whether that be in administration or teaching. Both of these areas are available for concentration at West Chester University online. The Program Administrator Track includes coursework that analyzes current educational trends to develop safe and effective learning approaches and environments. There are also courses in business management and advocacy so that early childhood education administrators can work at a larger scale. The Accomplished Teacher Track, on the other hand, gives students topics in the enhancement of their intrusion. They will learn new techniques in working with families and communities in multicultural communities, as well. The Master in Early Childhood Education gets students away from the online classroom and into exciting field experiences to further develop their understanding and knowledge.
Campus Location: West Chester, PA
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Concentration Options:
- Program Administrator
- Accomplished Teacher
- Applied Studies
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 75%
LEARN MORE ABOUT WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY’S EARLY EDUCATION MASTERS DEGREE ONLINE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Master of Education, various emphases
Program Standouts:
The University of Missouri, or Mizzou Online, provides an online Master of Education Program with various specializations pertaining to early childhood education. Students have the option to specialize in their master’s degree in areas of autism and special education. The coursework of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, in particular, is well-suited for the following professionals: child-care center staff workers, early childhood practitioners, Head Start teachers, preschool teachers, and kindergarten teachers. This program’s focus is to develop teachers’ abilities to work with diverse groups of students, as well as those with disabilities. Graduates can design and create a safe classroom space that encourages the educational development of all young children.
Mizzou Online is an outstanding purveyor of distance education programs. The Masters of Education online degrees primarily represent the high-quality education that is provided by the University of Missouri. Online students pay in-state tuition, making it one of the most affordable online schools for early childhood education, as well.
Campus Location: Columbia, MO
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Teacher Education Accreditation Council
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Program Options:
- Autism Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Early Childhood Special Education/Autism
- Elementary Education
Acceptance Rate: 78.1%
Retention Rate: 87%
Graduation Rate: 68.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD MASTERS
MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE
MS in Educational Administration – Early Childhood Director
Program Standouts:
The early childhood education master’s degree online from Martin Luther College is specially designed for students who want to become program directors. The curriculum is designed to meet the principles of the WELS Foundation. Coursework teaches students to incorporate modern technologies into their programs, classrooms, and coursework. In programs designed by Martin Luther College graduates, young children will have access to state-of-the-art learning equipment that drastically improves their acquisition of knowledge. There are other courses in this early childhood masters program that are solely geared toward the development and enhancement of leadership skills in schools and with students and teachers.
Martin Luther College’s online early childhood education master’s degree program has been named one of the best by numerous different academic resources. This program creates successful directors of highly beneficial educational programs in their communities. This masters in education degree will take their careers to the next level of leadership.
Campus Location: New Ulm, MN
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400
Coursework Sample:
- Coordinating Technology in Education
- Designing and Construction
- Enhancing the Curriculum with Technology
Acceptance Rate: 70.6%
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 72.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE’S ONLINE EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR MASTERS PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON
MSE in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy
Program Standouts:
The School of Education and Health Sciences at the University of Dayton supplies a master of early childhood education online in the form of an Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy Graduate Degree. This program is intended for experienced professionals in the field of early childhood education who wish to become influential leaders in their educational environment. This array of coursework gives students what they need to lead entire schools, school systems, and programs to success through directorial skills and advocacy. Graduates have enhanced their work as administrators, directors, superintendents, and young child and family advocates at local, state, and national levels. The Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy curriculum includes fascinating topics that aren’t covered by most other programs on this ranking. It allows students to focus their degree in either leadership or advocacy, or an interdisciplinary approach to both topics.
Campus Location: Dayton, OH
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Coursework Sample:
- Educational Leadership
- Supervision and Professional Development
- Early Childhood Program and Personnel Management
Acceptance Rate: 71.7%
Retention Rate: 90%
Graduation Rate: 78.6%
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON’S ONLINE MASTER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
M.Ed. in ECE – Teaching and Learning
Program Standouts:
This online early childhood education master’s degree is well-suited for teachers throughout the K-12 system. The curriculum is 18-months long, and students can individualize their program in three different specialization areas, all of which can be found listed below. Readers of this list should pay close attention to the Experiential Learning for Early Childhood concentration as it pertains specifically to their pursuits!
U.S. News and World Report have named this Master of Education program one of the finest in America, due to its excellent coursework, resources, and instructors. Graduates from Clemson University continued their careers as educators, with a new edge to their teaching methods, or, instead, have gone on to become curriculum designers, program directors, and department chairs! This early childhood education master’s degree puts students in touch with a vast network of professors and professionals across the globe.
Campus Location: Clemson, SC
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, Illinois, 60614-1413
www.hlcommission.org, (800) 621-7400 - National Association for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Coursework Sample:
- STEAM
- Experiential Learning for Early Childhood
- Instructional Coaching
Acceptance Rate: 47.2%
Retention Rate: 93%
Graduation Rate: 80.8%
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY’S MASTER’s DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the career options for holders of an online Masters in Early Childhood Education?
A Master’s in Early Childhood Education prepares professionals and students for advanced roles in the academic setting that involves teaching or academic administration for young children up to third grade. Teaching concentrations may include management and leadership, special education, bilingual education.
With an online master’s in the field, you can go beyond the teaching job, and can qualify for lead teacher, instructional coordinator, and preschool program director positions.
A forecast by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that by 2026, the demand for program directors in the preschool level will increase by 11%.
With a Master’s in Elementary Childhood Education you can also become an early childhood education administrator or a program or curriculum developer. Other fields of focus include child and family advocacy, and human resource management.
Is an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education widely accepted?
A master’s degree offered online offers convenience and flexibility to students, particularly to adults and professionals seeking to supplement their academic credentials for career advancement. Today, most employers and brick-and-mortar universities accept an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education.
An Early Childhood Education Master’s degree program offered online on various virtual learning platforms typically follows the rigorous coursework in conventional university program options. Most of them are taught by the same instructors in brick-and-mortar colleges.
The most important consideration for distance learners is to ensure that their school of choice is accredited by the United States Department of Education and academic organizations that promote the best standards and guidelines for running the master’s program.
What is the timeline for completing an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education program?
On a full-time academic arrangement, online Master’s in Early Childhood Education program students earn the degree within 15 months and two years depending on whether or not they opted for the accelerated format.
It is important to remember that credit transfers and the coursework also affect the length of time that it would take for a student to complete the Master’s program online.
How much does it cost to earn an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education?
The specifics depend on schools, but most programs require a minimum GPA, letters of recommendation, and an acceptable GRE score. Most colleges require that students complete certain courses and a capstone at the conclusion of their degree program.
The cost of attending any graduate school varies based on factors such as the type of academic institution and state residency requirements. Take note that in some cases, online schools charge students the same fees or a flat rate for both in-state and out-of-state students. Other online schools charge out-of-state students more, and technology fees may be part of the charges.
On average, online students enrolled in an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education program pay anywhere between $11,000 and $24,000.
What benefit does joining professional Early Childhood Education associations bring to students?
If you’re an online Master’s in Early Childhood Education student, becoming a member of professional organizations provides you academic and career enrichment through networking opportunities and exclusive resources. You also get to be part of conferences get and prospects for continuing education.
The most widely known professional organizations are the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).