Online and Distance Learning

PhD early childhood education programs can prepare you for leadership positions in preschool through fifth grade (K-5) settings.  This page provides information on what is studied and where you can study these programs.

Do you want to be a lead teacher, principal, assistant principal or a senior administrator in an elementary or pre-school learning environment?  Or perhaps  an early childhood education curriculum developer, or education program director?  An early childhood education doctoral program prepares you for jobs in education and administration related to children from birth to age 8.  To do this, the program includes courses in child psychology, parenting, and early childhood instruction and learning strategies.

This page specifically provides links to early childhood doctorate online degrees. If you want more details of on-campus programs, check the information using the navigation links for On Campus Programs and On Campus Universities.  You may also wish to explore the elementary education programs.  Note that in order to undertake a PhD, you will need to possess a relevant masters degree.

Finding the schools and PhD early childhood education programs you want

If you want to browse areas available and the schools offering early childhood education doctoral programs (and other related PhD education programs), use the search form or the list of schools below.

• Northcentral University Online
  • Doctor of Education (EdD) - Early Childhood Education
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education - Early Childhood Education

• Walden University
  • PhD in Education - Early Childhood and Primary Education

• Browse more education doctoral schools and programs at the foot of the page.

• Search for education and teaching programs

What do the degrees cover?

An early childhood education doctoral program will usually include some of the courses taught in the relevant masters program.  In your thesis, it will also allow you to specialize in a topic of yor choice, such as: curriculum development, pedagogy and classroom methodology, administrative techniques, and child psychology.

What jobs do the programs prepare you for?

Education is one of the largest industries and early childhood graduate programs offer plenty of career options.  Most US States now require lead teachers in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs to have early childhood training. 

Typically, early childhood education PhD programs prepare you for teaching, management and leadership positions in preschool through fifth grade (K-5) settings.  Graduates find careers as lead teachers, administrators or program directors in elementary and pre-school learning environments.  It is also possible to teach childhood education in a college or university, but competition is high.

What are the earnings of graduates?

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.

List of education schools and programs