Online Instruction 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

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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
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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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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
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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

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The 30-semester hour M.Ed. in Early Childhood program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of currently certified educators and focuses on leadership development, advocacy for all learners, best practices in pedagogy, and applied research skills. Educators with a T-4 certification in Early Childhood will be eligible to upgrade their teaching certificate to a master's level T-5 by the Georgia Professional Standards Committee (GaPSC) upon successful completion of the program. Students also have the option to earn an endorsement in ESOL, Reading, Science (K-5), or Mathematics (K-5). (Endorsements vary by location). Diverse field-based experiences also enhance classroom instruction.

Accomplished faculty, individual attention, flexible program format options and technological support make the Mercer M.Ed. program unique. The Tift College of Education collaborates with principals, teachers, human resource officials and community leaders to ensure this program remains hands-on making it relevant to teachers and students.

PROGRAM GOALS
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To instruct and cultivate teachers to have an expanded philosophy of growth and change based on reliable knowledge and reflections of the best practices of teaching and learning

To prepare teachers with the ability to understand and apply the skills of data analysis and action research that impact educational experiences for the young child

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all graduate work attempted. Also, they must possess or be eligible for a bachelor's level certificate in an appropriate field. Students must meet initial certification requirements in their selected field prior to being admitted to the M.Ed. Program.

International applicants
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All international students whose native language is not English must submit a Certificate of Proficiency from the Mercer University English Language Institute (ELI) or results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Certificate of Proficiency from English as a Second Language (ELS) Language Center. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 for the paper-based test (PBT), and 80 for the internet-based test (IBT). English proficiency at ELS Level 112 is expected. The scores may not be more than two years old.

Other Fees

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