Online Early Childhood Degree :: Accredited Universities

Launch your career as an expert in education and child development with your Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University. You will discover all the wonder of Early Childhood Education as you learn ways to apply your knowledge and skills to your career.

Your Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education allows you to complete coursework in childhood development, curricula, and program development. When you complete the required coursework, you will be well acquainted with the education industry, be highly trained in various theories of childhood development, and exhibit advanced instructional skills.

Entry Requirements

Students seeking admission to an online undergraduate program must meet the following admission requirements prior to the start of the first course at Ashford University:

Have a regular high-school diploma earned through college preparatory or regular high school courses or GED equivalency recognized by the Department of Education of the state in which it was earned, completed secondary school through home schooling as defined by state law, or earned an equivalent to a US high school diploma at an international high school according to approved Foreign Evaluation services. An earned IEP or Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Completion based upon IEP goals does not meet the regular high school diploma requirement for admission to Ashford University. If no high school degree was earned, applicants who have successfully completed at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution, as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies, may be admitted.

Be 22 years of age or older, or be exempt from this requirement by meeting one of the following criteria:

- Earned a minimum of 30 transferable credits* as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies;

- Earned an Associate’s degree or higher from a regionally or approved nationally accredited institution; or

- Seeking readmission to Ashford University after withdrawal from a degree program; or

- Current degree-seeking student at Ashford University requesting to change majors.

Have the ability to study English indicated by one of the following:

- Achieved a recognized high school diploma or equivalent in which the primary language of instruction was English

- Received a GED that was taken in English

- A minimum of 30 credits have been earned from regionally or approved nationally accredited colleges/universities in the United States or equivalent in which the primary language of instruction was English; or

- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination taken within the past two (2) years. A minimum score of 500 paper-based or 61 Internet-based is required. Copies of official scores must be submitted prior to provisional enrollment, and official scores must be submitted for full admission.

Submission of official transcripts from all postsecondary education attempted.

TOEFL scores submission.

Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.0.**

Other Fees

Books and supplies : $4,000

Show Less

The program prepares individuals for careers in early care and education. The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education focuses on building the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to provide high quality, inclusive early care and education for children ages birth to eight in a variety of settings. Culture, equity and diversity are embedded throughout the program in addition to areas of study that include child development and learning, relationships, interactions and guidance, observation, assessment and meaningful content and curriculum.

Based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Preparation Standards for Initial Licensure and the California Early Childhood Educator Competencies, the program is designed to complement previous early childhood educational training and fieldwork typically received in community colleges. Lower division coursework mirrors the Curriculum Alignment Project Eight (CAP 8) which provides a foundation for upper division content and experiences.

Unique Features:
---------------------

Fieldwork: Throughout the program students apply their learning through fieldwork experiences which must:

- Include the following age groups: Birth to three, three to five, and five to eight.

- Include one or more of the following settings: publicly funded early care and education setting (e.g., State Funded Preschool or Head Start), privately funded early care and education center (non-profit or for profit), family child care home or elementary school.

Practicums: Two practicums offer the opportunity for students to demonstrate their teaching competencies under guided supervision.

Capstone Course: The class requires students to integrate their knowledge and skills to develop and maintain healthy, safe, supportive and challenging learning environments for young children.

Program Learning Outcomes
----------------------------------

Research-based practice: Integrate brain research and evidence based practices that support development and learning across the curriculum.

Child Development: Integrate child development theories into classroom practices.

Reciprocal Relationships: Develop plans to promote child, family and community relationships that enhance children's development and learning.

Responsive Environments: Create learning environments that maximize child development, learning, health, and safety.

Comprehensive Assessments: Employ formal and informal assessment procedures to gather child and family information to provide meaningful programs and curricula.

Ethical Practice: Implement the NAEYC Code of Ethics and demonstrate professional behaviors.

Embracing Diversity: Create classroom environments and curriculum that acknowledge and celebrate children and families’ diversity.

Entry Requirements

Students must have completed 12 or more transferable baccalaureate level credits or the equivalent for admission to Brandman University.

Prospective students must submit the following:

Completed application package.

Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended. Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

For those applying under an active military agreement with Brandman University, admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts. If additional coursework from other institutions is submitted prior to admission this coursework will also be included in determining admissibility and transferability for course credit.

Other Fees

Please refer this link for additional fee relevant to the course

http://www.brandman.edu/files/attachments/Brandman-Tuition-Fees-2014-2015.pdf

Show Less

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education with Early Childhood Education Emphasis program consists of 33 credit hours and is offered fully online. The masters in early childhood education is designed for busy adult students who are interested in obtaining their degree and require the flexibility of attending class on their schedule.

Professional practices in the field of early education focus on strategies and best practices rooted in theory and philosophy supported by research. Students who earn their masters in early childhood education will interpret, evaluate and apply research and theory related to all areas of early childhood education. Courses taken while obtaining the degree in early childhood education address the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards for advanced professional preparation.

To be considered for admission, program candidates needs to be employed or regularly volunteering in the area of education with either children or families.

Entry Requirements

A student must submit the following items before the admissions office can process the application:

- Online application

- Official transcript from the regionally accredited college or university that granted the student’s undergraduate degree

- Statement of goals: Write a brief statement (1-2 pages, double-spaced) covering your employment history and long-term academic and professional goals

- Résumé

Other Fees

Show Less

The Liberal Studies degree, with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, is an online bachelor’s degree program for early childhood educators. The program content is multidisciplinary and integrative in relation to areas of family and child development, literacy, health, curriculum, administration and diversity. The degree’s core courses build and expand on each student’s knowledge, skills and perceptions necessary to work in an early childhood setting.

This degree is intended for those who have preparation and experience in early childhood education and requires admission to the program prior to registration for any ECED courses. The ECED concentration requires 60 upper division credits with 48 of those credits having the ECED prefix, accompanied by 12 upper division electives.

Other Fees

Show Less

The program is designed for candidates who hold a Professional Level Four Certificate or equivalent in Early Childhood Education. It is an approved program by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and meets the certificate upgrade requirements mandated by the Professional Standards Commission.This master’s program is based upon the concept of developmentally appropriate practices and the value of diverse, intensive field experiences working with diverse student populations.

It is offered fully online and requires completion of a 36 hour program of study.

Entry Requirements

1. Complete requirements for a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

2. Possess or be eligible for a Professional Level Four Certificate or equivalent in Early Childhood Education. Candidates who have completed all eligibility requirements for the Professional Level Four Certificate have until the end of the first semester to obtain the certificate.

3. Present a cumulative 2.50 (4.0 scale) grade point average or higher on all undergraduate and graduate work combined.

4. Present official report of scores on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

5. Submit a personal statement of purpose, not to exceed 200 words, that identifies the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate study and how admission into the program relates to the applicant’s professional aspirations.

6. Submit a completed ‘Disclosure and Affirmation Form’ that addresses misconduct disclosure, criminal background check, the Code of Ethics for Educators, and tort liability insurance.

Applicants may be approved for provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of ‘B’ or higher in their first nine (9) hours of course work after admission and meet any other stipulations outlined by the department to be converted to regular status.

Other Fees

Show Less