Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education Degrees

Programmatic Accreditation: Association for Childhood Education International

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,540
Out-of-State | $1,540

Credits to Graduate: 39

NYIT offers an MS in early childhood education with an optional bilingual extension. As an initial licensure program, this degree prepares future early childhood education teachers, preschool administrators, and postsecondary instructors. 

Courses include curriculum design and development, theory and practice of literacy instruction, and social studies and technology. The optional extension requires five classes in bilingual instruction. NYIT's program concludes with a six-credit student teaching seminar. 

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with 30 credits or more in history, life science, math, or physics. Other qualifying majors include biology, chemistry, economics, English, and psychology.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $429
Out-of-State | $429

Credits to Graduate: 33

Located in Livingstone, UWA features a one-year M.Ed. in early childhood education that prepares aspiring P-3 educators for an Alabama Class A professional educator certificate. This program requires 18 credits in professional courses and 15 credits in teaching field courses.

Students take classes like teaching reading, counseling multicultural populations, literature for early childhood education, and planning programs for early education. Each class lasts eight weeks. Each applicant must hold a bachelor's-level professional educator certificate in the teaching field.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $550
Out-of-State | $550

Credits to Graduate: 30

At UND, the online MS in teaching and leadership allows students to choose from 13 specializations, including early childhood education. This fully internet-delivered program can take just five semesters, preparing students to pursue careers as research analysts, early childhood education directors, or early childhood education specialists.

Courses may include leading K-12 classroom assessment and grading, leading K-12 curriculum and instruction, and action research. Each candidate must possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall and a 3.0 in the last two years. 

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $512
Out-of-State | $739

Credits to Graduate: 45

PSU offers an online master's in early childhood: inclusive education to help advance the education of children from birth through eight years old. This non-licensure degree equips learners with the knowledge and skills to develop an anti-biased, inclusive, and equitable approach to early childhood education.

Students can choose from infant-toddler mental health, constructivism, early childhood special education, and distributed pathways. The program can include summer intensives, study abroad options, and action research directed by an interdisciplinary faculty.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Association for the Education of Young Children

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $560
Out-of-State | $990

Credits to Graduate: 36

Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, SFA provides a master of education in early childhood education through regular, virtual class meetings. This degree prepares teachers of children up to age eight to become specialists in their field.

Courses meet in half-semester terms and include play/learning environments, math and science in early childhood, and early childhood creativity and social learning. The program concludes with an action research project. Clear applicants need a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $480
Out-of-State | $480

Credits to Graduate: 30

From its campus in Mobile, USA offers a master of education in early childhood education for teachers who already hold Class B professional early childhood certification. This program accepts new applicants each semester, and students can take 1-2 years to graduate.

Courses include trends and practices of teaching reading, multicultural experiences in schools, and educational research and evaluation. The program concludes with a zero-credit capstone portfolio. Graduates can apply for the Class A professional early childhood certification needed to teach in preK-3 classrooms in public schools.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $477
Out-of-State | $477

Credits to Graduate: 33

An HBCU located in Montgomery, ASU features a master of education in early childhood education with certification and non-certification options. This program prepares individuals to teach in preK-3 classrooms in public or private schools. Courses emphasize technology, psychology, and instructional tools and techniques for young children. 

The curriculum requires six core courses and five concentration classes. Students may take courses in exceptional students in inclusive schools, instructional strategies for young children, and the theory of play. Each applicant needs a bachelor's degree and a GPA of 2.5 or better. 

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $422
Out-of-State | $422

Credits to Graduate: 34-37

An Alabama-based public institution, JSU offers a master of science in education with a major

in early childhood education. This degree can qualify currently certified teachers to become fifth-year (master's) certified. 

Courses include seven credits of basic requirements and 30 credits in the teaching field. The curriculum covers research in education; issues and trends in early childhood education; and enhancing learning through children's literature; along with a practicum. To graduate, a student must maintain a 3.25 in all JSU master's coursework.

Programmatic Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $516
Out-of-State | $774

Credits to Graduate: 33

The online M.Ed. in early childhood education at WCU prepares students to serve as early childhood education leaders. Courses include play-based teaching and learning, diverse learners in early childhood settings, and designing effective learning environments. WCU offers courses in an accelerated format. 

This non-certification program takes five semesters and admits new students each fall. Each candidate needs a minimum of one year of experience with young children and an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 2.8 or better to qualify.

Programmatic Accreditation: National Association for the Education of Young Children

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $475
Out-of-State | $475

Credits to Graduate: 36

Located in Natchitoches, NSU offers the only master of education in early childhood education in Louisiana. The curriculum covers advanced child development; trends and issues in contemporary early childhood programs; and positive relationships with children, families, and communities. Students also complete thesis or action research projects.

Graduates who already hold elementary teaching credentials can earn early childhood certification. Each applicant needs a teaching license, an undergraduate degree, and qualifying GRE or PRAXIS scores.