Early Childhood Education Degree
Programs
The Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in early childhood (ECE) degree can enable
you to pursue a lucrative job as a teacher of young children in age from birth
until age eight to nine, or usually at the end of third grade. Early
childhood educators play an essential role in their pupils and their lives.
They strive to establish the basis for a lifetime passion for learning. They
also have the responsibility to be able to spot and guide children who have
special needs as well as learning disabilities or with developmental delays. The
teachers at this stage should be able to provide an educational, safe and
nurturing environment in which children can reach their abilities and meet or
exceed learning goals...
An ideal person for an early-childhood education position is
one who is service-oriented and has good communication skills and active
listening abilities. This job requires reliability as well as integrity
and flexibility. There are many schools that provide an education in early
childhood on the internet which allows students to pursue their studies on
their own schedule in their preferred pace. This is often while working. Find
out more information about the steps to becoming educated in the early years
through the Career guide or continue reading to learn
more information about early childhood education degrees.
Quick Facts
- There are 1116 institutions and colleges that have
early preschool schools. 1
- The 328 schools in the country offer a certification in
early elementary education. 1
- 481 schools provide an associate's degree in early
childhood education. 1
- 547 schools are able to offer an associate's degree for
early education. 1
- 285 schools provide an advanced master's degree or
master's on early learning. 1
For non-profit universities and colleges.
Table of Contents
Early Childhood Education Degrees and Certification
Top-Ranked Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Top Value Schools that offer Early Childhood Education
Programs on Campus
Top Value Schools that offer the ability to offer online
early Childhood Learning Programs
Select Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Early Childhood Education Degree Requirements and Coursework
Additional Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Student Reviews
Teaching and Education Programs
Early Childhood Education Degrees and Certification
The majority of early childhood education degrees are
offered in the bachelor's degree level however, there are
associate's degrees and graduate degrees that are available within early child
education to students who have already earned an undergraduate degree in
another area. Early childhood education courses typically provide teachers
in the pre-service phase a specialized instruction in working with preschool to
third graders. This program is a great option for students looking to
teach in these grades and attain state-level accreditation. A lot of early
childhood programs provide courses that lead to specific endorsements in areas
such like reading English as a Second Language and special education.
The completion of the early education can qualify you for
job opportunities in private and public schools. Early childhood educators
employed in schools that are public K-12 will have to be certified teachers. To
become qualified, the teachers need to be sure that they have completed an
educator training program that has been recognized by their local board of
education. When they graduate, they need to take the state's exam to be
able to obtain the certification of early education teachers. Teachers
working in private childcare centers or schools are not required to have the
state's certification. Teachers who wish to go beyond state certification
The National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) provides a
free Early Childhood Generalist Certificate for teachers of children ranging
from up to the age of eight. To be eligible to be eligible for National
Board Certification applicants must have an accredited bachelor's degree or a
higher with at minimum three years of teaching experience as well as a state
teaching permit when required. Because of the rigorous assessments they
are subjected to, National Board certified teachers could be more at a
competitive advantage for positions in early childhood education and earn
higher wages over their counterparts.
In most cases the term "early childhood education"
refers to the focus of an academic degree in a different area (education or
curriculum and instruction special education, curriculum and instruction,
etc.). However, certain Early Childhood Education degrees could provide
additional specificization levels (also called specialties, concentrations or
emphasizing) for example:
- English as a Second Language The program prepares graduate teachers to impart
English as an additional language to children learners.
- gifted and talented education Graduates are prepared to mentor young learners
who are classified as gifted.
- Special Education Learners
are prepared to instruct very young children with disabilities of various
kinds.
Certificate in Early Childhood Education
ECE certificates can be beneficial for potential caregivers
looking to be employed in preschool or daycare environments. Because many
positions for caregivers at this point do not require a college degree, ECE
certificate graduates may be more appealing to prospective employers than
candidates without credentials. The certificate is also an excellent
introduction to the area of education in the early years for those who aren't
willing to dedicate more time and funds to an education degree. If you are
a graduate and choose to pursue an advanced degree some of the credits earned
from certificates can be transferred into an associate or bachelor's degree ECE
program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
has reported that the number of US schools provide early childhood education
certificate courses. 1
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
A few prospective preschool teachers are seeking an
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education which is the minimum level of
education needed for a variety of jobs at this point. Daycare workers can
also pursue an associate's qualification in the field of early education in
order to gain a higher salary or be more competitive on the job market even
though formal training is not necessary. According to NCES the majority of
non-profit institutions throughout the US offer associate degrees that focuses
on early education. 1 Associate degrees generally require about two full
years of education to finish and allow for graduates who will teach or provide
care for children of all ages in schools and day cares. A degree earned
for early education may be used to earn an education bachelor's degree In fact,
certain courses for associate degrees are made for transfer to offer a more
flexible path to an undergraduate degree.
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
A bachelor's degree is required to be employed in public
schools as well as for teacher accreditation, the vast majority of the early
education degree can be offered at the bachelor's degree level. An early
childhood degree from a bachelor's program enables instructors to teach
children. kids, including infants and children who are in the third grade. The
teachers at this stage aid children develop personal, social and academic
abilities that effectively prepare them for the higher educational levels. They
must also be able to align their teaching with the standards of education
(which are always changing and evolving) as well as assist children to satisfy
their basic needs during classes. Bachelor's degrees usually require 4
years full time, full-time study to finish. NCES states that more than 500
non-profit and public institutions and colleges have bachelor's programs for
early childhood educators. 1
Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Students who graduate with the master's diploma in early
education are able to be educators or as administrators within both elementary
and early childhood schools. Some universities offer only the early
childhood education Master's programs to those who have been qualified to work
in the elementary classrooms which is why obtaining an undergraduate degree and
state certification is usually one of the initial steps. There are many
online programs that have master's programs for early child education, in
addition to traditional university degrees. Teachers who earn master's
degrees often are more likely to earn a higher salary than teachers who only
have the bachelor's degree. They can also be more attractive candidates for
positions in the administrative field. NCES says that over 300 non-profit
schools offer higher degrees for early education. 1
Early Childhood Education Degree Online
Pre-K and third grade teachers may pursue the online
education degree for early childhood educators. A online degree in early
childhood education program may offer more options for flexibility when
compared to traditional on-campus studies for those who would prefer this
method of study. The online education industry continues to grow by
introducing new technologies such as live-streaming virtual classrooms that incorporate
video conferencing and the application of interactive social technology that
permit collaboration and discussions with fellow students. A growing
number of online courses are also available in asynchronous fashion, which
means that students don't have to "attend" virtual class at an exact
time, but are able to learn and complete assignments according to their own
timetable as long as they adhere to deadlines set by the instructor. This
provides students to be more flexible for their work or otherwise busy students
who want to study at their own pace.
Teacher Quote: "You
should only choose education as your career if you are willing to put your
whole self into it; don't do it if you are just halfway in. You will have a
classroom full of children depending on you to teach and care for them. For
some, you will be all they have. You must be willing to go the extra mile for
them and you must love what you do in order to make that happen." - April Larremore,
Texas Kindergarten Teacher
Top-Ranked Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Niche's Top Schools for Early Childhood Education degrees
2020
- Vanderbilt University (#12; on campus)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (#43;
hybrid)
- New York University (#46; on campus)
- Boston University (#60; on campus)
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (#64 located
on campus)
- University of Georgia (#66; on campus)
- Bucknell University (#70; on campus)
- Brigham Young University (#78; on campus)
- Purdue University (#83; on campus)
- University of Washington (#92; on campus or online) 2
Best Value Schools that offer on-campus Education Programs
for Early Childhood Education Programs
To assist you in finding the top early childhood teaching
programs, we've researched the best non-profit schools across the US with
programs in this field. The schools listed on our top list below offer a
graduation rate that is at or above 80% at the undergraduate level , and the
net price is less than $20,000 for students in the undergraduate level. A
high rate of graduation is usually a sign of a school's effectiveness and a
lower net cost is crucial for students who are interested in getting the most
value for their money. Alongside these data, we've also included
statistics such as percent of faculty who have tenure, degrees given in
addition to US News & World Report undergraduate teaching schools as well
as the national rankings.
|
School |
Undergrad Degree(s) |
Grad Degree(s) |
US News Undergrad Teaching Rank 3 |
US News National Rank 4 |
Grad Rate 1 |
% Tenured Faculty 5 |
Net Price 1 |
|
University of Washington-Seattle Campus |
BA Early Care and Education (online); |
M.Ed./Certificate Early Childhood Special Education |
NR |
#59 tie |
84% |
51% |
$9,443 |
|
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
-- |
M.Ed. for experienced teachers: Early Childhood
Intervention , and Family Assistance |
#34 tie |
#30 tie |
91% |
43% |
$11,100 |
|
Brigham Young University-Provo |
BS Early Childhood Education |
-- |
NR |
#66 tie |
83% |
46% |
$12,979 |
|
University of Florida |
Unified Early Childhood ProTeach Program |
Doctoral Concentration Early Childhood; |
NR |
#35 tie |
88% |
52% |
$15,283 |
|
University of Georgia |
BSEd Early Childhood Education |
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education; |
#34 tie |
#46 tie |
85% |
54% |
$15,934 |
|
University of Delaware |
BS Early Childhood Education; |
4+1 BS/MS HDFS: Early Childhood Development and Inclusive
Education; |
NR |
#89 tie |
82% |
57% |
$16,286 |
|
Florida State University |
-- |
EdS Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education; |
#52 tie |
#70 tie |
80% |
43% |
$16,450 |
|
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
BS Early Childhood Education |
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education |
#43 tie |
#46 tie |
85% |
51% |
$16,638 |
|
Clemson University |
BA Early Childhood Education |
-- |
#16 tie |
#66 tie |
82% |
47% |
$18,757 |
The best Value Schools
that offer online early Childhood Education Programs
The following table lists the most cost-effective schools
offering the early education program that are able to be completed either in
part or completely online. Because early childhood education programs
typically include the requirement of a practicum to allow teachers who want to
gain practical experiences, these programs cannot always be completed
completely online. However, with teachers being in high demand and schools
offering online courses to enable teachers to become certified easy for
students with busy schedules. The schools we have included in our
top-rated online table are able to offer a graduation rate that is 65% or
higher and a total cost under $20,000 at the undergraduate level These are both
indicators of student satisfaction and the overall quality of education
institutions. We also include other important information such as the
number of the number of degrees available, US News & World Report rankings,
as well as the percentage in tenured faculty.
|
School |
Undergrad Degree(s) |
Grad Degree(s) |
US News Undergrad Teaching Rank 3 |
US News National Rank 4 |
Grad Rate 1 |
% Tenured Faculty 5 |
Net Price 1 |
|
University of Washington-Seattle Campus |
BA Early Care & Education |
-- |
NR |
#62 tie |
84% |
48% |
$9,765 |
|
University of Florida |
-- |
Grad Certificate Early Childhood |
#49 tie |
#34 tie |
90% |
50% |
$11,313 |
|
Florida State University |
-- |
MS Early Childhood Education |
NR |
#57 tie |
83% |
44% |
$13,318 |
|
University of Missouri-Columbia |
-- |
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education |
NR |
#139 tie |
69% |
33% |
$17,833 |
|
West Chester University of Pennsylvania |
-- |
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education |
NR |
NR |
75% |
40% |
$19,091 |
|
Clemson University |
-- |
M.Ed. Experiential Learning for Early Childhood |
#34 tie |
#70 tie |
83% |
45% |
$19,508 |
|
Harding University |
Early Childhood/Special Education Integrated B-K
Endorsement |
-- |
NR |
#240 tie |
67% |
0% |
$19,580 |
|
Fresno Pacific University |
BA Early Childhood Development |
-- |
NR |
NR |
66% |
7% |
$19,965 |
FIND SCHOOLS
Select Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Traditional Programs
Kent
State University
Kent State's Early Childhood Education program leads to the
awarding of an Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Early Childhood
Education (ECED). The importance of field experience is included in the
course, with field trips as well as teaching experiences taking place in
classroom settings at Pre-K, K-3 and higher levels. The ECED program has
been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE) as well as it is accredited by the Ohio State Department of Education. Its
College of Education, Health, and Human Services at Kent State is also a
participant in the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching that offers international
student teaching positions for qualified students. Graduates of the
program may be interested in obtaining an additional endorsement or license
through one of Kent State's various other educational programs. A early
Childhood Generalist Endorsement for Grades 4 and 5 can become part of the
teaching License following the Block IV in the ECED program has been completed.
the endorsement for Grades 4-5 is an online course.
Texas
A&M University
Texas A&M University offers a Bachelor of Science (BS)
in Interdisciplinary Studies (INST) with the EC-Grade 6 certification.
Generalist and Core Subjects programs. A rigorous sequence of field work
that gives students the opportunity to participate in the classroom is
constructed around blocks of learning methods that are used to manage learning
and classrooms. Students accepted to the program receive individual
guidance throughout their studies, with one-on-one counseling sessions
scheduled at least every semester. All College of Education students can
avail financial aid programs, global education opportunities as well as
personalized learning communities. This includes the student peer mentorship
program designed for highly academically skilled teachers in the pre-service
phase. A Education Career Fair is held every semester, giving students the
chance to connect with prospective employers. The largest source of
teachers in the most sought-after areas in Texas, Texas, Texas A&M
University is able to provide "Aggie" graduates a competitive
advantage in the competitive job market.
University of Central Florida
The College of Education and Human Performance at the
University of Central Florida offers the Master of Science (BS) in Early
Childhood Development and Education that can lead to teacher accreditation for
the pre-kindergarten to third grade. Two program tracks are offered in
Education, Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (PK-3) and Early Childhood Development, as
well as a minor and a Master of Science (MS) in Early Childhood Development and
Education and a PhD in Early Childhood Education. Field trips begin in the
early stages of the sequence of courses, and integrate theories and lessons
that students learn in real school environments. Students are encouraged
to reflect by an ongoing review by faculty members of their personal
professional portfolios. The curriculum of the program is focused on
creating an environment that is safe and nurturing for all children, through
education-related partnerships with families and with the community. Alongside
school-wide scholarships and grants, the College of Education and Human
Performance offers a number of scholarships only for Early Childhood
Development and Education students.
University of Delaware
It is the University of Delaware (UD) offers the bachelor of
Science (BS) in Early Childhood Education with dual accreditation with regard
to Early Childhood Special Education, four-plus Bachelor of Science (BS) and
Master of Science (MS) in Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Education,
as well as the Master of Arts (MA) in Early Childhood Development and
Programming. The BS is designed for those who are interested in teaching
in child care, schools or in other inclusive settings and demands a practicum
in UD as well as local schools, in which students will learn about the teaching
method and the development of children. The primary areas of study are the
development of children and classroom management, as well as diverse
curriculum, inclusive curriculum, families, and literacy teaching. The 4+1
program consists of the BS as well as an MS which is offered through the
College of Education and Human Development and could be finished in only five
years. This MA is in Early Childhood Development and Programming can be
completed in as short as a year. It's designed to prepare those who have
college degrees that focus on early learning to take on managerial positions
that oversee program development for children in the early years.
Online and Hybrid Programs
Florida State College at Jacksonville
The online Florida State College of Jacksonville's early
preschool teacher education program gives graduates the necessary skills and
knowledge to instruct children in the pre-kindergarten stage up to grade three. The
majority of the courses offered in the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early
Childhood Education program are accessible online, however students need to
complete a field experience and the semester-long teaching experience to earn
the degree. Students must have earned an associate's degree at Florida
State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) or another institution along with three
prerequisite courses from FSCJ to be accepted. The curriculum is comprised
of classes like Integrated Science & Math for young Children and the
Language & Literacy in Early Childhood Education and Language Principles
for Teachers. After all requirements for the degree are fulfilled,
students are granted with the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood
Education. FSCJ provides an Associate of Science (AS) in Early Childhood Management
which includes the technical courses that can be transferred into the
bachelor's degree program.
Kansas State University
Kansas State University's Global Campus offers an online
bachelor's degree program that prepares graduates for licensure as early
elementary educators in Kansas from birth until Kindergarten (B-K). The blended
curriculum includes studies in general and special education. Online
courses for children in the professional studies section of the program are
Gender and Family Relationships and Exceptional Development in Early Childhood,
and Emergent Literacy. Although most of the courses are offered online,
students must finish an supervised field experience at the public or private
schools. To be eligible as a candidate for admission students must be able
to complete at minimum 50 college credits with a GPA of minimum 2.75 and be
admitted to the Teacher Education program. Alongside teaching in early
preschool programs, the graduates of the program could find employment in
community agencies as well as other organizations that encourage the
development of children from birth until kindergarten.
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers an online Bachelor of
Science (BS) in Early Childhood Education qualifying them to obtain the Birth
to PreK Child Development Certificate in Alabama. The curriculum for the
program is focused on development and growth in infants and children up to the
age of five and the development as well as evaluation of programs for early
education within schools and in the communities. A maximum of 60 credit
hours are transferable from institutions that are two years old and all core classes
are offered on the internet. Courses that are mandatory comprise Child
Development and Adolescence; and Developmental Perspectives of Children with
Disabilities Children with disabilities as well as Parents as well as Family
Development. Students are also required to take part in an in-person field
trip and this can be organized in the area where the student lives in order to
fulfill the requirement of six credits for the requirement for the Human
Development as well as the Family Studies Internship requirement. Financial
aid, such as scholarships and grants specifically for programs for early
childhood educators is available to distance-education students.
FIND SCHOOLS
Early Childhood Education Degree Requirements and Coursework
Early childhood teachers must be patient and possess an
interest in helping children build skills that will form the basis for them to
have a prosperous life. Other traits that can be beneficial for early
childhood educators include creativity, energy and organizational skills. To
be accepted to an early childhood education degree program generally, a minimum
GPA is mandatory, along with the scores of the qualifying exam letters of
recommendation as well as a personal statement. Common courses within the
early childhood education program include:
- Assessment in Early Childhood Education
- Children with Different Abilities
- Developing Family and Community Relationships
- ECE: Science and Social Studies
- ECE: Art and Music
- Early Childhood Curriculum and Methods
- Early Language and Literacy
- Education Practicum
- Educational Psychology
- Guiding Child Behavior
- Infancy and Early Childhood
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Introduction to Exceptional Children
- Learners and the Diversity of Learning
- Methods of Teaching Reading
Additional Resources
- National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC): Professional organization with a membership
of nearly 60,000 to enhance the education of infants and young children,
from up to age 8.
- Childhood Education International (CE International):
Focusing on children from birth through age 11, CE International strives
to enhance the education of children by implementing three main
programmes: Center for Education Diplomacy and Leadership; Global Schools
First as well as Innovation Exchange.
- Office of Head Start: Head Start programs
assist children from birth until age 5 from families with low incomes to
ensure they are prepared for school through assisting their development
during their first years.
- National
Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) A group that
brings together childcare providers and their partners to improve the
early childhood experience in the family care program.
- The Early Childhood Education Blogs: We have
compiled a list of evaluations for ECE blogs that give an insider's look
at the classrooms and the practices of the current early childhood
educators.
- The top Early Childhood educators on Twitter Take
a look at the following list of education teachers who share their
experiences and insights on Twitter.
Interviews with Early Childhood Education Teachers
Visit our Teacher Interview Series to hear career-related interviews with teachers
currently employed who share their experience as well as their insights and
tips for early childhood educators.
- Texas Early Childhood Teacher, Matt Gomez
- Alabama Kindergarten Teacher, Julie Hicks
- California Kindergarten Teacher, Vanessa Escobar
- Nevada First Grade Teacher, Alicia Lochridge
- Calgary Kindergarten Teacher, Amy Murray
- Find out further Early Childhood Education Interviews
No comments:
Post a Comment