Online and Distance Learning

This page is for those wanting to know more about masters degree early childhood education and elementary education programs.  It provides information on what is studied and where you can study these programs.

What is masters degree early childhood education?

Do you want to be a teacher or an administrator in an elementary or pre-school learning environment?  Or perhaps  an early childhood education curriculum developer, or education program director? 

Online early childhood degrees prepare you for jobs in education and administration related to children from birth to age eight.  To do this, the early childhood education curriculum track includes courses in child psychology, parenting, and early childhood instruction and learning strategies.

This page deals specifically with online degrees.  If you want an on-campus program, check the information using the navigation links for On Campus Programs and On Campus Universities.     

Finding the schools and degrees you want

If you want to browse areas available and the schools offering early childhood education master programs, use the search form or the list of schools below.

• Walden University
  • M.S. in Early Childhood Studies - Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy
  • M.S. in Early Childhood Studies - Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field
  • M.S. in Early Childhood Studies - Teaching and Diversity in Early Childhood Education

• Ashford University
  • MA in Education - Early Childhood Education specialization

• University of Phoenix Online
  • MA in Education / Early Childhood Education

• Capella University
  • MS in Education - Early Childhood Education specialization

• Jones International University
  • M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
  • M. Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

• Grand Canyon University
  • M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Eligible for IR / Credential)
  • M.Ed. Elementary Ed (Not Eligible for IR / Non - Credential)
  • M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (No IR, No Certification)

What do the degrees cover?

A masters degree early childhood education typically includes: child growth and development, child psychology, instructional and teaching methods for young children, elementary instruction methods, classroom management, family engagement, and literacy education.  But the actual curriculum will vary from institution to institution.

For example, the Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education at Ashford University includes language acquisition, the design of primary-school curricula, the delivery of differentiated instruction, classroom management, and collaboration with parents and communities.  The M.S. in Early Childhood Studies with specialization in Teaching and Diversity in Early Childhood Education at Walden University looks at how diversity affects development and learning in early childhood, the impact of living in poverty and the effects of stress, violence, and trauma. Some Masters programs (e.g., this last one at Walden University) require you to hold a teaching certificate.

What jobs do the programs prepare you for?

Education is one of the largest industries and online early childhood degrees offer plenty of career options.  Most US States now require lead teachers in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs to have early childhood training.  Typically, the early childhood education online courses prepare you for work with preschool through fifth grade (K-5). 

A Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education is often necessary for a position as an early childhood education administrator, curriculum developer, or education program director.  For teaching childhood education in a college or university, a masters degree early childhood education or PhD is required.

The United States Department of Labor reports an approximate annual income of about $50,000 for early childhood and elementary teachers.  Prospects are good in the sector as the government has placed an emphasis on it.  

For more information about masters degree early childhood education

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