Online Early Childhood Development Degree :: Accredited Universities

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development is designed to help you fully understand the growth and development of children—from birth through eight years of age. Our experienced faculty provide a strong foundation in theory and practice, focused on the total environment of the child. You'll learn to address the unique needs of young children, including those with exceptionalities and special needs.

This major prepares graduates to pursue a career in early childhood education including positions in public and private preschools, churches and businesses that offer preschool for the children of their employees. You will also be prepared to pursue additional credentials and certificates to become an educator in elementary schools and special education programs or a career counselor with child and family service organizations.

Entry Requirements

- Completed application form and $40 fee (fee waived if you attend an information meeting)

- All application pieces, official transcripts, recommendation form and admissions essay

- 60 transferable baccalaureate level units

- Minimum 2.4 GPA

- Two years post-secondary experience

- Official high school transcripts or diploma

Other Fees

Show Less

The Master of Learning and Development (Early Childhood) will extend your expertise in the field of early childhood education. It is ideal for professionals who work with young children and their families and also experienced educators who want to gain a specialisation in early childhood education.
Through this eight unit degree, you will explore international, national and local issues relating to the education of young children, develop the ability to critically analyse your understandings of contemporary learning and teaching and examine the management of early childhood in our community, including the role of government and community agencies.

To apply theory to practice, you will also complete 60 days of professional experience in a child care setting. If relevant, 30 days of this professional experience will be able to be completed in your current work environment.

Entry Requirements

3-year bachelor degree or equivalent

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

Show Less

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Child Development program consists of 42 credit hours and is offered fully online. The Child Development Degree Online is designed for busy adult students who are interested in obtaining their degree and require the flexibility of attending class on their schedule.

Students will learn developmentally appropriate practices and focus on advocacy and leadership in the field of early education. Program courses address the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards for initial professional preparation. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

- Articulate the theories in the field of early education that support best practices.
- Define developmentally appropriate practices.
- Articulate the role of families as the primary teachers, caregivers and models in the lives of young children.
- Create inclusive and effective learning environments for young children.
- Develop a framework for making ethical decisions as an early childhood professional.
- With this early childhood development degree, students will be able to explain major developmental theories of ECE.

To be considered for admission, program candidates need 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(s), showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all colleges attended. A high school transcript is required if applicant has less than 20 college credits.

- Satisfactory score on the TOEFL (for international students); minimum scores: 523 on paper or 193 on computer

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

Other Fees

Show Less

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development program at John Hancock University seeks to ensure the quality of care and education for young children and their families by providing state of the art preparation in best practices to caregivers and educators. The program is designed to provide a high quality, innovative program of study for students who seek to gain new knowledge and skills, as well as those who wish to improve and expand their competencies. It is geared toward students who have had some or limited experience working with young children, as well as practising teachers and administrators, such as those employed in child care centers, family child care, independent schools, and community agencies. The bachelors program is also a great stepping stone for students who already possess an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development.

The B.A. in Child Development will provide graduates with appropriate skills to assume leadership positions working with young children as lead teachers, center directors, after school care directors and teachers, and as teachers of infants and toddlers.

At the conclusion of this degree students should be able to:

- Promote child development and learning in different contexts

- Build family and community relationships

- Observe, document and assess relevant education and training programs

- Teach and facilitate learning

- Contribute to the continuing professionalization of the field and discipline.

Entry Requirements

Completion of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

One of the following criteria:

- Good academic standing and completion of at least 12 semester credits from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Good academic standing: students who have been academically dismissed from other colleges or universities are ineligible to pursue courses at John Hancock University unless they meet one of the following conditions:

- Earned 12 semester hours from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Have not attended any college or university for one year since being academically dismissed.

- Successful appeal to the Chair of Academic Programs. At the Chair of Academic Program’s discretion the previous requirements may be waived. Undergraduate students who have their appeal approved will be placed on academic probation and must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher upon the completion of their fourth course at John Hancock University. Students will be restricted to two courses per trimester and must meet every other week with their academic advisor. Students who fail to earn a GPA of 2.0 after their fourth course will be academically dismissed from the University.

An active military or honorably discharged veteran.

Applicants who have completed a high school diploma or its equivalent but have not successfully completed 12 hours of college level work and do not meet the military service criteria can complete the necessary credit hours as a student at large. Upon successfully earning 12 credit hours, these students can apply for regular degree-seeking status.

Other Fees

Show Less

The Bachelor of Arts in Child Development program at John Hancock University seeks to ensure the quality of care and education for young children and their families by providing state of the art preparation in best practices to caregivers and educators. The program is designed to provide a high quality, innovative program of study for students who seek to gain new knowledge and skills, as well as those who wish to improve and expand their competencies. It is geared toward students who have had some or limited experience working with young children, as well as practising teachers and administrators, such as those employed in child care centers, family child care, independent schools, and community agencies. The bachelors program is also a great stepping stone for students who already possess an associate’s degree in early childhood education or child development.

The B.A. in Child Development will provide graduates with appropriate skills to assume leadership positions working with young children as lead teachers, center directors, after school care directors and teachers, and as teachers of infants and toddlers.

At the conclusion of this degree students should be able to:

- Promote child development and learning in different contexts

- Build family and community relationships

- Observe, document and assess relevant education and training programs

- Teach and facilitate learning

- Contribute to the continuing professionalization of the field and discipline.

The program outcomes are established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This program is NOT designed to lead to any kind of certification or licensure.

Entry Requirements

1. Completion of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

2. One of the following criteria:

- Good academic standing and completion of at least 12 semester credits from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Good academic standing: students who have been academically dismissed from other colleges or universities are ineligible to pursue courses at John Hancock University unless they meet one of the following conditions:

- Earned 12 semester hours from an institution that is accredited by an accrediting association that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Have not attended any college or university for one year since being academically dismissed.

- Successful appeal to the Chair of Academic Programs. At the Chair of Academic Program’s discretion the previous requirements may be waived. Undergraduate students who have their appeal approved will be placed on academic probation and must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher upon the completion of their fourth course at John Hancock University. Students will be restricted to two courses per trimester and must meet every other week with their academic advisor. Students who fail to earn a GPA of 2.0 after their fourth course will be academically dismissed from the University.

- An active military or honorably discharged veteran.

- Applicants who have completed a high school diploma or its equivalent but have not successfully completed 12 hours of college level work and do not meet the military service criteria can complete the necessary credit hours as a student at large. Upon successfully earning 12 credit hours, these students can apply for regular degree-seeking status.

International applicants may be required to take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and submit the results to John Hancock University prior to enrollment.
TOEFL scores vary based on the method in which the test is taken. The required scores for admission to John Hancock University are as follows:

Print: 550
Computer: 213
Internet: 79

Other Fees

Show Less