Online Early Childhood Degree Programs

Both an early childhood degree online and online elementary education degree online will prepare you to work with young children.

An online curriculum and instruction degree program will prepare you for this career path, and specifically to work with young learner in Pre-K and K-5 education. If you love working with young children, and are patient and helpful, an early childhood degree online would be a great start to making that difference. With early childhood education classes online you can get your accredited Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. degree program in elementary education or early childhood degree. Early childhood education is particularly important because these are the formative years of a child's life, and this is often a predictor or their future academic success as they get older. Concentrations may include child development programs, elementary education concentrations, special education, and curriculum and instruction for pre-K through grades five.

Selected Online Early Childhood Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• AA in Paraprofessional Education
• Associate of Arts in Elementary Education
• BS in Education / Elementary Education
• MA in Education/Early Childhood Education
• MA in Education/Elementary Teacher Education

Liberty University

• M.Ed. - Early Childhood Education
• M.Ed. - Early Childhood Education (TC)
• MED Program Specialist: Early Childhood Specialist

Post University

• Associate of Science (A.S.) in Early Childhood Education
• Online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Child Studies

Kaplan University

• B.S. in Early Childhood Development

Capella University - Online

• MS - Early Childhood Education

Jones International University

• M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
• M. Ed in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Western Governors University

• B. A. in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 3)

• BS Elementary Education - English Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
• BS Elementary Education - Math Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
• BS Elementary Education - Science Emphasis (Eligible for IR / Cred)
• BS in Elementary / Special Education (Dual Major)
• M. Ed. in Elementary Ed (Eligible for IR / Credential)
• M. Ed. in Elementary Ed (Not Eligible for IR / Non - Credential)
• M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (No IR, No Certification)

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Master of Education - Early Childhood Education
• Doctor of Education - Early Childhood Education
• Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Early Childhood Education
• Certificate of Advanced Graduation Studies in Education - Early Childhood Education

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Early Childhood Training and Education

With a degree in early childhood education you should have mastered the five domains of childhood development: emotional, social, physical, creative, and intellectual. This requires one to take courses in developmental and cognitive psychology.

The bachelor and master degree in early childhood education generally leads to certification to teach in public schools but it is important to verify this information when researching different programs. Certification is a requirement for those who wish to work in K-12 public school education.

Early childhood education courses often includes courses in child development, psychology of learners, curriculum development, classroom management, assessment and evaluation, pedagogy and classroom methodology, administrative techniques, child psychology, and educational psychology.

Online early childhood masters courses would also include instructional and teaching methods for young children and child growth and development, and elementary instruction methods, and literacy education. The Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education is often necessary to work in positions in early childhood education administrators, curriculum developers, and education program directors.

Early Childhood Careers

The focus of online early childhood degree programs is on the developmental stages of young children, and concentrating on ways of engaging and teaching young learners. With early childhood education online courses, typically you would work with preschool (Pre-K) through fifth grade (K-5).

Professionals also work with with children of different age groups, depending on the specialty and the age range covered usually goes from birth to age 8 for early childhood. The early childhood education curriculum track includes child psychology, parenting, and early learning strategies.

Positions under the early childhood include working as preschool and kindergarten teachers, teachers' assistants, and daycare specialists. They are charged with teaching the basics of socializing, the alphabet, basic vocabulary and arithmetic, and cooperative play.

Some professionals also work closely with special needs students. Most professionals in the early childhood education careers work as teachers or administrators in elementary and pre-school learning environments.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Depending on whether you work in daycare center, preschool (Pre-K), kindergarten or elementary school or grade school, the beginning income ranges between $22,430 and $38,290 a year as an early childhood teacher. Median annual income for preschool teachers was $23,870 in 2008 with the middle 50% earning $18,840 to $31,430 while the bottom 10% made less than $16,030 and the top 10% earned over $41,660.

The outlook for certified and licensed teachers with a campus or online early childhood education degree is also positive. Employment of preschool teachers is expected to grow by 19% from 2008 to 2018 according to the United States Department of Labor (BLS).

Online early childhood degree and special education degree programs