Best Online Early Childhood Education Programs

Early childhood education is the study of the holistic development and education of children from birth to age eight. The field focuses on nurturing youths’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth during their formative years. As distance learning becomes more common, online degrees in early childhood education have emerged as a convenient, flexible option for aspiring educators.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore the world of online bachelor’s programs in early childhood education, highlighting their benefits, curricula, and career outcomes. Use this page to learn about online early childhood education programs and discover how they can shape your career.

Earning an online degree in early childhood education (ECE) offers several advantages. In addition to qualifying graduates for educator career paths, benefits of online early childhood education degrees include:

Online early childhood education programs typically award a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degree. Specific coursework varies by school, but classes generally cover the following topics:

ECE online programs may also offer specializations or concentrations that let students focus their studies on specific topics. For example, ECE majors can specialize in early childhood special education or administration and leadership.

These programs often include fieldwork or practicum experiences to provide hands-on learning. Enrollees observe and lead educational experiences in early childhood settings under the guidance of experienced professionals.

Prospective learners should research individual programs to understand the specific courses, concentrations, and fieldwork requirements they offer to ensure the degree aligns with their goals.

Accreditation is a process that verifies a school’s academic quality. There are two forms of accreditation: institutional and programmatic.

Institutional accreditation applies to entire schools. An accredited school must complete a rigorous review process proving that it meets an accrediting body’s standards for academic excellence. Attending an accredited school can help learners qualify for federal financial aid and facilitate easier credit transfers between institutions.

Programmatic accreditation only covers specific degrees or departments and can be especially important in industries requiring certification or licensure, like education. This optional process verifies how well a specific program’s coursework prepares learners for field-specific careers. Early childhood education programs can hold accreditation from organizations like the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Search NAEYC’s database to find accredited early childhood education programs. You can also check schools’ accreditation status on their websites.

Accredited early childhood education programs typically lead to careers in childcare or preschool, including jobs such as childcare worker, preschool teacher, and childcare center director. However, students may also pursue roles in elementary education, such as teacher assistant, kindergarten teacher, or special education teacher.

Classroom-based educator roles typically require licensure. For example, each state has licensing requirements for kindergarten and special education teachers in public schools, which can include passing relevant exams, obtaining a master’s degree, and completing student-teaching hours.

Of the potential careers for early childhood education program graduates, childcare workers tend to see the lowest pay — their median annual wage was $30,370 in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Meanwhile, kindergarten and special education teachers have the highest median salaries, each earning over $60,000 a year.

Location can influence salaries for early childhood education professionals. For example, childcare workers in the District of Columbia have an average salary of $41,540, while those in Mississippi earn an average of $22,620.

The following table highlights common jobs for graduates of accredited early childhood education programs.

In addition to qualifying graduates for a variety of childcare jobs, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education can also be a stepping stone to additional credentials and education, like a teaching license or master’s degree. However, tuition and fees for a bachelor’s program can be burdensome. Prospective students should explore financial aid options such as:

Students can borrow federal student loans to pay their tuition and fees and pay back the loans in installments. The federal government offers loan forgiveness programs for qualifying educators, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. PSLF forgives loan balances for government or nonprofit employees — including Head Start preschool teachers — after they make 120 qualifying loan payments.

Organizations, schools, and states offer scholarships to early childhood education students. Scholarships can directly reduce the cost of tuition and fees and don’t require repayment. For example, Massachusetts’ Early Childhood Educator Scholarship provides funding for up to nine credits per semester to early childhood educators pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

Grants apply directly to tuition and fees and are sometimes based on financial need. The federal government offers the needs-based Pell Grant for all eligible undergraduate students for up to $7,395 per academic year. Students who intend to teach in a low-income school or educational agency can also qualify for the federal non-needs-based TEACH Grant, which provides up to $4,000 per academic year.