2023 Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees

Wilmington University (WilmU) is a private university offering an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (Preschool) requiring 121 credit hours. If studying full time, students can complete this program in four years. All students are accepted into WilmU, with 45% earning a degree.

At WilmU, students use the Canvas learning management system (LMS) to access their courses, which are taught completely online. As a whole, the curriculum for this program is designed for teaching roles that do not require a license, with a focus on subjects surrounding theory, psychology, and child development. Students may also choose from concentrations devoted to specific age groups. Required courses include Instructional Technology, Health and Physical Education, and Applied Behavior Analysis and Classroom Culture. Graduates may earn career opportunities as non-licensed educators.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) is a public college that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies and Community Leadership - Early Childhood Education requiring the completion of 120 credit hours. Typically, students graduate within four years while studying full time.

All online courses at SPC are taken through the Brightspace LMS. This allows students to study entirely online, with some courses delivered asynchronously. This online degree focuses on developing the skills to educate children from infancy through four years old. It's best for students who aim to pursue a non-school educational career. Among the major requirements are the following classes: Sociology of Education, Comparative and International Education, and Education and Public Policy in the United States. Additionally, students must complete an internship with 240 contact hours. Upon graduation, students are prepared to become after-school educators and childcare facility workers.

St. Catherine University (St. Kate's) is a private, Catholic university that offers a Bachelor of Science/Arts in Early Childhood Education with Licensure. This online degree requires 78 major credits, which can generally be completed in two to four years. Ultimately, this depends on transferable credits and a student's study schedule.

Brightspace is the main LMS used by St. Kate's students. They can complete courses 100% online, with most courses being delivered asynchronously. This degree is all about developing the professional skills needed for students to earn a teaching license. The majority of required credits are devoted to the core curriculum, including classes such as Early Childhood Education Accreditation and Standards, Effective Practice in Early Childhood Education, and Infant and Toddler Methods and Materials. A 14-week teaching experience is also required, which students can complete at schools near their community along with one-week intensives each summer on campus. Jobs for graduates may be available as elementary school teachers.

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public institution with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies requiring 120 credit hours. The average completion time for this degree is around four years for full-time students. ASU also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Education in Educational Studies – Early Childhood. Of all the students that apply to ASU, 73% are accepted, and 52% of enrolled students graduate.

ASU students use Canvas as their LMS, where courses are delivered fully online and on a flexible timeline. The core curriculum for this program teaches students about childhood development and includes courses designed for professionals with existing children's education experience. Some required classes include Building Leadership Skills; Cognition and General Knowledge of Science, Math, Logic, and Reasoning; and Intentional Teaching. Students must also complete an approved work or volunteer placement. Career opportunities for either degree include child care worker, preschool director, and preschool teacher.

National University (NU) is a private university that hosts an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development. In order to receive this degree, students must complete 180 quarter units, which is typically done within four years. NU also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, which features both academic skills along with social and emotional development in young children. NU's acceptance rate is 55%, with 34% of students earning a degree.

Online students at NU use Blackboard to complete their coursework, which is delivered remotely in a blended asynchronous and synchronous format. The curriculum for the childhood development degree prepares students to become professional teachers through various education methodologies, strategies, and essential knowledge. There are a number of required courses, such as The Growing Child: Zero to 8, Early Cognition, and Play as Pedagogy. Graduates may find employment as preschool teachers and childcare workers.

Northern Arizona University (NAU), which is a public school, offers two online programs for students interested in early childhood education. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood is a degree completion program designed for students who want to work with young children in childcare facilities or family services agencies. The curriculum covers subjects such as childhood development, program development, family and community relationships, and communications. The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood is a flexible program that allows students to take an interdisciplinary approach to studying early childhood education. With an advisor's approval, students combine courses in early childhood development with courses in communication, language or science, and computer literacy. Neither program is designed to lead to teacher certification.

At NAU, online students access their coursework through the Canvas learning system.

The University of Wisconsin (UW) - Whitewater is one of the state's public universities. It offers an online Bachelor's in Early Child Care and Education for those who want to work in childcare, preschools, or family services organizations. Requiring the completion of 120 credit hours, this non-licensure program is geared for working professionals who have already earned at least one credential.

UW - Whitewater delivers its asynchronous online courses through the Canvas learning management system. The school has an 83% acceptance rate and a 63% graduation rate.

Florida International University (FIU), a publicly run school, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with an early childhood development track. The program's curriculum includes several courses on each of the following subjects: foundations of education, teaching methods and curriculum development, human development in young children, families and communities, and literacy and language. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate.

FIU online students use the Canvas learning platform to access course materials and participate in group discussions and learning activities. Each student is paired with a personal success coach, who provides guidance and support.

Indiana Wesleyan University is affiliated with the Wesleyan church. This private, nonprofit college offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education that prepares graduates for teaching licensure. Online students take courses in curriculum development, literacy, classroom management, and special education, all taught by early childhood professionals. The program also includes multiple field internships so students can gain work experience and practice what they're learning in real-world settings.

Indiana Wesleyan delivers its asynchronous online courses in five- to eight-week sessions, using the Brightspace learning platform. The school also offers tutoring, library, and other student services for online learners.

Saint Leo University is a private, nonprofit institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic church. The school offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies - Early Childhood Development. The 120-credit hour program is designed to prepare graduates to work in either licensed classroom teaching roles or in other childcare and learning settings. Students can choose one of three areas of specialization: education and children, education and adolescents, or education and early childhood development. Graduation requirements include several fieldwork learning experiences.

At Saint Leo, online learners use the Desire2Learn learning management system. Saint Leo offers academic and technical support for distance education students.