Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Programs

In February 2023, the U.S. Senate introduced a bill to ensure every family has access to early childhood learning opportunities — and that covers just one of four early childhood education (ECE) acts presented to Congress in 2023.

This increased focus on early learning highlights the continued need for quality ECE educators and administrators. Current teachers — or non-education professionals — can develop experience and advanced knowledge with an online master’s in early childhood education.

Explore what an ECE master’s program covers and discover some of the top programs below.

Early childhood education draws many people looking to impact the next generation. However, an ECE master’s degree includes extra benefits, like diverse career opportunities and potential income growth.

For example, graduates can pursue teaching careers or apply for research positions. With teaching experience, they can also qualify for administrative or managerial education careers.

Just having a master’s degree can also result in a salary increase. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for professionals with a master’s degree totals $12,688 more than the median income for those with a bachelor’s degree.

An online ECE master’s degree program also offers many benefits, including the following:

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Every online master’s in early childhood education includes a slightly different curriculum. However, most programs explore effective instruction for early learners and curriculum development, along with assessment and leadership skills.

Degree-seekers can also expect to focus on research and modern issues in early childhood education. Sometimes, this research connects to a thesis or capstone project, while other programs — particularly those that lead to licensure — include a final teaching practicum.

Some master’s in ECE programs offer specialization or emphasis tracks. Common concentration options include special education, administration, teaching, and leadership.

When choosing an online ECE master’s program, ensure the school holds institutional accreditation from an organization like the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

These accreditors are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to evaluate institutions’ academic rigor, available resources, and student outcomes. Plus, ED only awards federal financial aid to students attending accredited institutions.

Aside from institutional accreditation, learners should consider ECE master’s programs with programmatic accreditation. While not always necessary for licensure, programmatic accreditation ensures the curriculum meets professional standards. The main accrediting bodies for early childhood education programs include:

A master’s in early childhood education can prepare enrollees for a career in or outside the classroom, depending on the particular program. Some lead to licensure with hours of required field experience. Graduates can then pursue preschool, kindergarten, or elementary teaching positions.

After a few years of teaching experience, professionals can apply for principal or childcare center director positions. Current teachers can also advance their careers with a non-licensure master’s in early childhood education. They can move from teaching into administrative roles like director, principal, or daycare operator.

Other potential career paths include child development researcher, early childhood specialist, and child advocate. ECE master’s degree graduates can also help create learning programs as education program consultants or curriculum designers.

Admission requirements vary by school, but applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree and official transcripts. Many institutions also set GPA minimums of about 2.5-3.5. Other common requirements include a recommendation letter, a resume, a personal statement, and an interview. Some schools expect students to already have teaching degrees and/or professional experience in early childhood settings.

Total tuition for an online master’s in early childhood education generally ranges from about $11,000-$42,000. The exact price depends on the school’s prestige, required credits, and cost per credit. Some institutions charge a flat per-credit rate for all online students, while others set separate in-state and out-of-state rates.

An online master’s degree in early childhood education typically takes 1-3 years. The exact time frame depends on several factors, such as the number of required credits, class length, and whether you are enrolled part time or full time.

A master’s in early childhood education can be worthwhile for people interested in advancing their teaching careers or moving into the education sector. Regardless of whether the program leads to teaching certification, graduates can pursue more lucrative leadership, research, or curriculum development positions.

Schools like Oakland University, NYU Steinhardt, and Louisiana State University offer Ph.D. programs in early childhood education that prepare learners for leadership and research positions.

Page last reviewed August 29, 2023. All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.