Over the past few decades, online education has fundamentally changed how people learn, and as technology and the global pandemic have advanced, its use has increased. With more colleges now offering online degrees and certifications, this growth has tremendously impacted early childhood teaching education. Online learning offers flexibility, allowing students to set their own pace and match their studies with other obligations such as family and work.
Online courses and degree programs in early childhood education provide the same extensive curriculum as those offered in conventional classroom settings. They cover topics like curriculum design, teaching strategies, and child development and frequently offer opportunities for on-site or online practicums, electives, and internships. The online portal provides interactive discussion boards, project partnerships, and peer learning.
In this article, we’ll explore twenty top-rated colleges offering online degree programs in early childhood education!
Ball State University – Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education, Family & Child Major
Ball State University is a well-recognized institution in Muncie, Indiana. Their accredited online early childhood education program meets the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This online bachelor’s program has been designed for people with an Associate’s degree in early childhood education. Weekly deadlines allow students to organize their studies around other commitments as they finish assignments independently. The curriculum revolves around three major courses: child development, family relations, and early language development.
Grand Canyon University – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited Grand Canyon University, a private, for-profit university that provides students with flexible online programs that allow self-paced learning. With their 120-credit hour online bachelor of science in early childhood education curriculum, graduates are qualified to serve as early childhood and primary school educators. The major courses in the curriculum involve Child Psychology, Early Literacy Development, and Educating the Exceptional Learner. Grand Canyon University also offers financial aid programs, including the President’s Scholarship, Faculty Scholarship, and Servant Scholars Program for eligible students.
Post University – Bachelor of Science in Child Studies
Post University, a private institute in Waterbury, Connecticut, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Child Studies. This 120-credit-hour bachelor’s program has been accreditated by the New England Commission of Higher Education. The curriculum revolves around Emergent Literacy, Educational Psychology, and Creative Activities. This 4-year program prepares students to work in a variety of early childhood educational settings, including public and private institutes, childcare centers, and child development organizations. Students who enroll in this online degree program can transfer up to 90 credits from an accredited college or university.
Indiana Wesleyan University – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Wesleyan University, a private non-profit institution, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education that has been granted accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Early Childhood Programs. Since there are no predetermined login times, students can finish their coursework on their timetables. Students can improve their talents during numerous field trips throughout the year, which ensures hands-on learning experiences. The major courses in the curriculum include Child Growth and Development, Educational Psychology for Early Learners, and Teaching Reading Instructional Tools. You have to visit their website, submit an online application, and begin your journey today!
Liberty University – Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Online
In Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University is a private, non-profit university accredited by the Southern Commission on Colleges. Liberty University is one of the top-ranked universities that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with Interdisciplinary Studies that entails 120 academic credits. Students have three and a half years to finish their degrees. Early Childhood Education Fundamentals, Wellness in the Early Childhood Setting, Developmental Psychology, and Psychology of Childhood are some featured courses students must complete in the 4-year long curriculum.
Vanguard University of Southern California – Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Vanguard University of Southern California, a private institute in Costa Mesa, California, provides a fully-online bachelor’s of arts in early childhood education. This modest college is a part of the Assemblies of God and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. During this 4-year tenure Leading Young children’s behavior, advanced curriculum design and development in early childhood education, and the exceptional child and inclusive classroom are among the key prerequisites that this university offers.
Purdue Global University – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration
With over 43,000 students enrolled since its establishment, Purdue University Global is a public university in West Lafayette, Indiana, which provides an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood program. The 4-year curriculum comprises Early Childhood Curriculum Planning, Child Nutrition, Health, and Safety, and Family, Community, and Advocacy in Early Childhood. Students acquire the business skills necessary for administrative success and a solid foundation in instructive roles.
University of Massachusetts Amherst – Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Education
The New England Association of Colleges has recognized the University of Massachusetts, allowing students to get their online degrees focusing on early childhood teaching, development, and instruction. Both inexperienced and seasoned professionals can enroll in the program with lenient admission requirements. The graduates of this program are eligible to open their own childcare centers, become preschool educators, or advance their careers in Head Start Programs, 4-H, YMCA, and many other public or private schools. The asynchronous online curriculum allows you to take your own blend of courses and enjoy the perks of self-paced learning.
Park University – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
In Parkville, Missouri, Park University is one of the best online universities for early childhood education that ensures quality education, advanced curriculum, and full faculty support to their students. Students interested in becoming program directors, ECE leaders, and administrators, or curriculum coordinators should consider their BSE program. Although most programs require contact or observation in an ECE context, students complete their coursework online. Before graduating, this gives students the advantages of practical instruction and professional experience.
Northwestern College – Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood
Northwestern College provides its students with a high-quality online bachelor’s program in early childhood education for aspiring educators in Orange City, Iowa. The rigorous 4-year coursework equips students for employment in various positions, such as preschool teachers, daycare program coordinators, curriculum designers, and many more. The short, eight-week periods of each course are made to accommodate people’s schedules worldwide. The best thing about this college is that they let you take one course at a time so you can balance your academic life with other family and professional commitments.
Florida International University – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
With more than 40 undergraduate programs available online through the school, Florida International University has implemented the best innovational practices to provide a great virtual learning experience worldwide. The 4-year rigorous curriculum emphasizes early childhood education and covers important domains like early childhood development and interventions. Graduates of this online program are eligible to apply for a variety of job placements in public and private early childhood educational setups till grade five. The students at FIU are assigned a success coach for assistance throughout their tenure. While online students can complete their degrees remotely, in-state students also profit from online education because they pay less in tuition than out-of-state students do.
Wilmington University – Bachelor’s in Science in Education Studies program
Wilmington University is one of the top-ranked university where nearly more than half of the student body study within the comfort of their homes. If you are keen to pursue your career in teaching and mentoring children, this online bachelor’s program provides you with the coursework and practicums to succeed. Your mentor teacher’s advice and involvement will assist you in putting everything together in a way that will make it a worthwhile learning experience.
University of Cincinnati – Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The University of Cincinnati is dedicated to making higher education accessible to more students, which is reflected in the strength of its online degree options. More than 25 percent of UC graduates are the first members of their families to complete their education. The 120-credit-hour Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program at UC is entirely online program that specializes in teaching young children from birth to age five. Apart from basic teaching and mentoring strategies, children’s literature, working together as a team, and play and development are some subjects covered in the curriculum.
Texas Tech University – Bachelor of Science in Early Child Care
The Bachelor of Science in Early Child Care program at Texas Tech University is a seven-for-one deal; this entirely online program is delivered by collaborating with seven colleges. In this program, you will discover a comprehensive and crucial early childhood growth process and implement healthy practices to facilitate children’s growth. Graduates of this program are eligible to work as daycare instructors and preschool teachers, where they will deal with children from birth through age eight.
Eastern Kentucky University – Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies
You can get ready to work with children in educational, institutional, and human services settings with the 100% online child and family studies degree at Eastern Kentucky University. Early childhood education and development is a fulfilling vocation that enables you to make a long-lasting impact on the lives of kids from all ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, you also understand the importance of early childhood developmental milestones to ensure they fulfil their potential and attain their developmental milestones. This program comprises courses in eight-week formats, and online students are instructed by the professors who teach on-campus students.
Colorado State University – Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies
Colorado State University, situated in Fort Collins, Colorado, offers a 4-year bachelor’s program in early childhood education with a curriculum that prepares individuals for the demanding field of ECE. The online curriculum is extensive and demanding, taught by reputable faculty is the same as it is delivered on campus. With the full online coursework and comprehensive education, you will be equipped for a variety of careers in both public and private educational setups. This online program covers community outreach, social assistance, and early childhood education.
University of Arizona – Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
The University of Arizona is one of the top colleges in Arizona state, where you can now acquire an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (BASECE). This program will prepare you for many rewarding career paths critical to ensuring children’s early intellectual and emotional development without requiring teacher certification. These include working with a non-profit children’s organizaton, opening your home daycare center or working in a private/public preschool as an educator. Through this program, you will understand how best to meet children’s developmental and learning needs from birth to age eight.
University of Southern Mississippi – Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Sciences
With a bachelor’s in child and family sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi, you can turn your passion for supporting healthy family development and improving children’s quality of life into a fulfilling job. Students who earn this degree, which strongly emphasises early child development, are eligible to work with kids and families in institutions of learning and human services. Graduates of this online program are qualified to apply for certification as pre-kindergarten teachers. Students with this degree will concentrate on social services or parent education due to the emphasis on family sciences. This online degree will enhance your ability to work with children in their home, school, institutional, and human service contexts.
Mayville State University – Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education degree
Mayville State University offers a fully-online Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education program for aspiring teachers who want to impact the lives of children up to eight. Through its student-friendly online curriculum, the university welcomes students from all over the nation to benefit from its small, close-knit community and great value. The best part is that online students pay the same affordable tuition prices regardless of where they reside. The coursework revolves around introducing innovative teaching strategies and advanced techniques to teach students from kindergarten to grade 8.
Conclusion
Like all other online programs, there is a huge list of renowned institutes offering online programs in ECE, from Associate to doctorate. No matter whether you reside in which part of the world, you can now study abroad at your favourite university, thanks to the advancement in online learning systems. We have enlisted some top-ranked accredited institutes in the U.S. offering online graduate programs with a major concentration in early childhood education. You have to scroll through them, visit their official websites, choose the best one, submit an online application, and begin your learning journey today!