Top 20 Online Master's of Early Childhood Education Programs for 2019
Anyone interested in childhood development and/or in helping disadvantaged children achieve their potential will find value in obtaining a master's in early childhood education online. An online master's degree in early childhood education opens doors to a number of broad or specialized career options in education, as well as to other fields like social services, medicine, communications, government, and even business. At least some level of higher education is required for entry into any of these potential positions, but in order to reach an advanced role, it is highly likely that you will need to earn your online early childhood education master's.
To enter a clinical or therapeutic position, for example, you will need to have obtained advanced certification, while a master's or a doctorate will be required for any administrative roles. Graduates in this field often go on to work in pre-schools, public/private schools, programs for special needs children and adults, community centers, rehabilitation facilities, religious organizations, mental health agencies, department/retail stores, and many others.
Featured Online Schools
What Are the Best Online Master's of Early Childhood Education Programs?
Featured Online Schools
Top 20 Online Master's of Early Childhood Education Programs for 2019
Champlain College's early childhood education master's degree online is a flexible program designed for students concurrently employed in a relevant position. This program focuses not only on education needed to teach young students, but also on creative strategies designed to make the classroom more fun. Many courses discuss the importance of imagination and play in the development of young minds, and coursework is developed accordingly. The college's Master of Education in Early Childhood Education consists of 36 total credit hours and requires a short residency experience during a student's first year in the program. This residency program takes place over four days and is held during one of two NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Conferences.
Visit SiteSponsored
What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master's in Early Childhood Education Program?
Each online early childhood education master's program carries different requirements and emphasizes different specializations. While one program may focus on play-based learning methods, another may specialize in early childhood special education or in program design. Some programs require a practicum or field experience, which can add time to the degree. Because programs differ, prospective students need to research their top choices.
Curriculum for an Online Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Theories of Teaching and Learning: Graduate students research how to apply theoretical frameworks of teaching and learning to their work setting. The class covers biological and psychological understandings of the brain and the application of these theories to early childhood learning situations.
Early Childhood Assessment: Educators working with children under the age of eight need assessment tools appropriate for young learners. This class builds skills in evaluating the growth and development of infants, toddlers, and adolescents by preparing graduates to work in daycare, childcare, or preschool settings.
Emergent Literacy: Classes in emergent literacy examine the development of literacy skills in young learners from birth to age eight. The coursework may cover both reading and writing, the role of reading and literature in the development of literacy, and current research in the field. Literacy classes benefits educators working at the preschool and early primary level.
Child-Centered Learning: Students in child-centered learning courses explore the best methods to facilitate a constructive, child-centered educational environment. Most students cover project-based learning and assessment practices for constructivist curricula.
Play in Early Childhood Education: Early childhood educators examine stages of play, play-based learning, and play as a pedagogical tool. Coursework may incorporate the educator's role in facilitating play and designing play-based lesson plans, as well as cultural differences in play. The course prepares classroom educators and program designers.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Master's in Early Childhood Education?
Earning an early childhood education degree online typically takes two years to complete. However, timeframes vary based on the program requirements, the number of required credits, and the student's full- or part-time status. Earning additional specialties can also add time to the degree.
Some online early childhood education master's programs require a practicum or teaching internship, which can lengthen the program. Others use the cohort learning model, where students enter the program together and complete it at the same time. Programs that use the individual pace model may allow advanced students to complete the degree faster. Accelerated programs let students earn an ECE degree online in one year. However, these programs may not appeal to students who plan to continue working while earning their degree.
Certifications and Licenses a Master's in Early Childhood Education Prepares For
Salary Outlook for Master's of Early Childhood Education Graduates
| Occupation | Minimum Required Degree | Expected Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teacher | Bachelor's | $25,730 |
| Preschool Director | Master's | $39,895 |
| Elementary School Teacher | Bachelor's | $43,886 |
| Executive Director | Master's | $74,703 |
| Teacher's Assistant | Associate | $22,485 |
According to PayScale and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), students looking to enter the field of early childhood education can expect to earn higher salaries as they further their education. Studies have shown that the more schooling teachers undergo, the better they are able to meet the needs of their students. As a result, if you earn your master's, it is highly likely that you will earn more money in the same position than a candidate holding a bachelor's degree.
What to Expect in a Early Childhood Education Career
A day in the life of a professional in early childhood education may vary greatly based on the line of work. For example, should you choose — as the major's title may suggest — to enter the education workforce as a teacher, chances are your day-to-day life would include overseeing children and ensuring that they learn subject matter as well as maintaining responsibility for the students' welfare. After earning your online master's in early childhood education, you would likely be responsible for developing curricula, interacting with students and parents, and demonstrating your ability to work with individuals of all backgrounds. On the other end of the spectrum, if you chose to utilize your degree in the business realm, your responsibilities would most likely be influenced by your expertise in children and development. For example, if you were to work in product development, chances are that you would be called upon for your knowledge of what products can benefit, or be dangerous to, children.
To be a teacher, particularly of young children, there are a myriad of skills and traits you will need; see the following list for some examples:
Clear and concise communication
Confidence — students will need to trust in your ability to lead them
Organization
Ability to handle conflict — between yourself and parents/other faculty as well as between students
Be able to work well with others
Empathy
Imagination
Adaptability
Patience
Open-mindedness
Early Childhood Education Professional Organizations
Professional organizations bring together early childhood educators from around the world, providing opportunities to network and share professional experiences. Many also offer the continuing education programs necessary to renew state teaching licensure. Early childhood organizations often hold annual conferences and provide professional development resources. These organizations cater not only to professionals but also to students. Professional organizations provide career services, job boards, and scholarship opportunities.
Financing Your Online Master's in Early Childhood Education Program
Many students pay for an early childhood education degree online through scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the first step to learning about federal funding opportunities, including work-study jobs. Some scholarships and grants also require a completed FAFSA. Students who take out direct loans, Stafford loans, or Perkins loans may qualify for loan forgiveness programs that help pay off the loans. In addition to federal funding, early childhood education students benefit from state and local opportunities.
Loan Forgiveness Programs for Early Childhood Education Graduates
Loan forgiveness programs help graduates pay back their student loans. Teachers may qualify for loan forgiveness based on their field or their school. For example, teachers at low-income schools or in high-need fields meet the eligibility requirements for federal loan forgiveness programs. Most programs carry teaching obligations that educators need to meet before lenders forgive the loan. By researching loan forgiveness programs, early childhood educators may successfully discharge their loans in just a few years.
At the federal level, the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and the Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation program help teachers discharge their student loans. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to $17,500 toward subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans and Stafford loans. Teachers must work for five consecutive years in a low-income school to qualify. The Perkins Loan Teacher Cancellation program discharges up to 100% of Perkins loans for educators working in low-income schools or in fields with teacher shortages. Educators may also qualify for loan deferment.
In addition to federal programs, several states offer loan forgiveness programs for teachers and early childhood educators. Online students may qualify in the state where they plan to teach.
Scholarships for Early Childhood Education Students
Scholarships help early childhood educators pay for their degrees, including students earning an online ECE degree. These programs provide thousands of dollars toward a master's in early childhood education online. In addition to scholarships for early childhood education graduate students, students may qualify for several teacher scholarship programs.
Who Can Apply: The American Montessori Society awards scholarships to students attending an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, which includes some master's programs in early childhood education. Applicants submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. Amount: Varies View Scholarship
To determine the best online master's of early childhood education programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 20 best online master's of early childhood education programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.