Online Early Childhood Degree :: Accredited Universities

With content curriculum that focuses on birth through grade 3, upon completion of the bachelor‛s degree in early childhood education, graduates will be highly qualified to become a Kindergarten through third grade teacher. In addition, graduates will be qualified to work as preschool teachers and daycare providers. The bachelor‛s degree in early childhood education curriculum includes instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, theories of early childhood growth and development, and the impact of family and cultural diversity on early childhood.

The BS in Early Childhood Education degree program has embedded practicum experiences throughout the coursework and requires a student teaching component with two placements; one in birth through age 5 and the other in Kindergarten through grade 3. Upon approval, this program will lead to teaching licensure in Arizona.

Specific topics the curriculum focuses on include:

- The unique learning needs of exceptional students

- The theories and principles of psychology that have influenced instructional practices including behavioral and cognitive approaches to learning, motivation, and instruction

- Models of child development that specifically address diversity, multicultural assimilations, and human change

- Effective strategies in language and literacy in ages birth through 8 years

- The processes of assessing, monitoring, and reporting the progress of young children

Entry Requirements

Applicants interested in earning their bachelor's degree online must meet the following requirement:

High School Transcripts - Applicants are required to submit official high school transcripts with a cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or above.
Applicants holding their GED should refer to the University Policy Handbook for separate requirements.

Transferring from Another College, University or Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicants with 25 or more transferable credits from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program may be accepted to the university if they have an unweighted GPA of 2.25 or above. For more information about our transfer policies, visit GCU's online Transfer Center.

Second Bachelor's Degree
-------------------------------------

Applicants who have already earned a bachelor's degree from GCU or another institution but are interested in pursuing a second bachelor's degree may be accepted to the university if they meet the minimum admission standard of an unweighted GPA of 2.0 or above.

Other Fees

Show Less

The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education degree was developed for career changers and prepares graduates to teach and work with young students. After successful completion of this early childhood education degree program, graduates may be qualified to teach Kindergarten through third and also have the skills necessary to work as preschool teachers or daycare providers.

This master‛s in early childhood education degree focuses on topics such as: early literacy development, foundations of early childhood, child guidance, management and environment, introduction to the exceptional learner, child growth and development, structured English immersion, and instructional teaching methodologies of language, math, science, social studies, and the Arts.

This program also includes two 8-week internship experiences: one in a birth to pre-school setting and another in a K-3 setting. Upon approval, this early childhood education degree program will lead to teaching licensure in Arizona.

Entry Requirements

Applicants to university graduate programs may be accepted for admission by meeting one of the criteria specified below:

Degree Bearing Transcripts
-------------------------------------

An undergraduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program with a GPA of 2.8 or better on the degree-bearing transcript

OR

A graduate degree from an accredited, GCU-approved college, university or program

Test Scores
----------------

If students cannot meet the GPA requirement, they may still be eligible for admission by meeting certain graduate test scores:
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): 500
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): 1,000 combined verbal/quantitative, prior to August 2011; 300 combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011

Other Fees

Show Less

Early childhood is a time of constant discovery, learning, and growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of childcare workers is expected to be 14 percent through 2022.* Professionals trained to work with young children may find opportunities in day care centers, after-school programs, and other childcare settings.†

Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development program could help you pursue and build a rewarding career in this growing field. Our nonlicensure program is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in child growth and development, ethics, health and nutrition, lesson planning, and much more.

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development could help you advance your career in the field†or prepare for graduate studies.‡

The curriculum emphasizes:

- Planning, developing, and implementing family and community-building strategies

- Evaluating observation and assessment techniques to inform instructional planning for children and families

- Creating effective learning environments for young children

- Demonstrating sound professional standards and ethical values

- Understanding the importance of individuality and cultural diversity

In addition, the program offers an optional student teaching experience that provides campus students with the opportunity to integrate and apply their learning within an early childhood classroom setting.

Entry Requirements

To apply to Kaplan University’s undergraduate programs, you must meet one of the following standards:

- Are a high school graduate

- Possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate or state-specific equivalency diploma

- Possess a Home Study certificate or transcript from a Home Study program that is equivalent to high school level and recognized by your home state, and be beyond the age of compulsory attendance in that state

- Are a high school senior eligible to apply and submit proof of high school graduation

International Applicants
---------------------------------

International students must submit evidence that they meet Kaplan University’s general admissions standards for all students.

All international applicants must demonstrate a command of oral and written English skills to ensure they are prepared to complete college- or university-level coursework. Evidence of English language proficiency must be provided at the time of enrollment and may include the following:

- Proof of completion of secondary education (or higher) in a country where English is the primary language

- A transcript indicating completion of at least 45 quarter credit hours (or equivalent) and a CGPA of 2.0 or higher (or equivalent) from a university located in an English-speaking country

- Proof of completion of secondary education at an international high school where English is the primary language of instruction

- A transcript indicating completion of an English composition course with a grade of “C” or above from a U.S. institution of higher learning

- The minimum required score on the Kaplan University English Proficiency examination

- The minimum required TOEFL, ELTS, EIKEN, or PTE Academic, Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), or Defense Language Proficiency Test, English Comprehension Language (ECL) score as shown below:

TOEFL

Paper-Based : 525
Computer-Based : 195
Internet-Based : 71

IELTS : 6
PTE Academic : 48
EIKEN : Grade 2A
TOEIC : 750

Other Fees

Show Less

The first eight years of a child’s life determine his or her future success in school. As preschool, kindergarten and elementary enrollments increase over the next decade, the need for new teachers will grow. With our Bachelor of Science in Education/Early Children Education (BSEd/ECH), you’ll gain the skills needed to shape children’s academic, social and cognitive skills.

This degree program is intended for students with no prior teaching experience who want to work with children from pre-K through grade 3 or age 8. The curriculum includes all of the essential elements required to help prepare you for teacher licensure in the field of early childhood education, and is aligned with National Association for the Education of Young Children® (NAEYC®) standards. Certification requirements differ from state to state, however, so check the website of your state’s licensure board for more information.

The Bachelor of Arts in Education (BSED) with a specialization in Early Childhood Education is an undergraduate degree program preparing candidates for teacher licensure in the field of early childhood (birth to age eight/grade 3). The curriculum is aligned with the Interstate Teaching Assessment and Support Consortium's (InTASC) model core teaching standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. The curriculum includes common core standards, child development and learning, building family and community relations, cultural diversity, assessment to support young children and families, strong content knowledge to build developmentally appropriate and meaningful curriculum and experiences, and professionalism and ethics of educators. Throughout the program, students are required to complete verified field experiences and student teaching.

Entry Requirements

- Have earned an acceptable high school diploma, GED® equivalent, California High School Proficiency Examination certificate or foreign secondary school equivalent. If you currently don’t meet this requirement, you can arrange to take the GED through your state’s GED administrator’s office or search for the nearest GED testing center.

- Be at least 16 years of age at the time of application if applying to an associate degree program.

- Meet work experience requirements or have access to an organizational environment, depending on your selected degree program, in order to successfully complete program objectives and apply concepts you learn in our courses. Please contact an Enrollment Representative to learn if your program has such a requirement.

- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or hold an approved, valid visa if residing in the United States.

- Not have been expelled from a previous institution.

- Complete all required forms for admission as well as submit official test scores and official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended.

International applicants
--------------------------------

Applicants without appropriate previous academic experience in an English language environment must pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®), the Test of English as an International Communication (TOEIC®), the Berlitz® Online Proficiency Test, the Pearson Test of English Academic or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS®).

Other Fees

Books and supplies: $3,800

Show Less

Liberty University’s Master of Education in Teaching and Learning with a cognate in Early Childhood Education is designed to train individuals in planning and implementing appropriate curriculum for younger children.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent.They must have above a 2.0 cumulative combined GPA for all accredited colleges attended.

International Applicants
--------------------------------

If you are an International applicant,following English language test should be required

TOEFL for international, non-English speaking candidates (score of 550 paper-based test, 253 computer-based test or 60 internet-based test)

Other Fees

Show Less