[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Teaching will always be a secure career choice. Nationwide, early childhood education positions will continue to be in demand for the next decade — in some states more than others.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-early-childhood-education/”]master’s in early childhood education online[/hen-ui-link] offers flexible training to become a kindergarten teacher, an elementary school teacher, a preschool teacher, or a daycare director. Additional certification can open you up to even more career opportunities.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best online early childhood education master’s programs combine strong academics with ample hands-on training.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]10 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary-700″]Master’s in Early Childhood Education: Program Overview[/hen-ui-heading]

• A master’s in early childhood education usually lasts around two years.
• Generally, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5-3.0 GPA to get admitted.
• You can expect to pay anywhere from around $300 to $1,500 per credit for your master’s in early childhood education.
• You’ll study elementary curriculum design, instructional methods, and early literacy.
• Common master’s in early childhood education concentrations include special education and leadership and advocacy.

[/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Choosing an Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When choosing between online master’s in early childhood education programs, evaluate each of your prospective program’s strengths, requirements, and specializations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, some programs provide a set curriculum, whereas others let you customize the degree. Additionally, some programs may require a capstone, while others may allow you to choose between writing a thesis or gaining work experience.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some online early childhood education degrees offer concentrations or specializations in areas like administrative training. These concentrations may appeal to educators who want director-level positions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other specializations include special education and inclusive education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By researching online early childhood education degree programs, you can find one that fits your interests, career goals, and budget.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Expect From an Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With so many online degree options, you must consider the variations between early childhood education programs. Some may require a practicum or field experience, while others may not.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In some states, an online early childhood education master’s degree may meet the qualifications for a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/teaching-requirements-by-state/”]teaching license[/hen-ui-link]. Because each program is different, you should closely research your top choices.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most master’s programs in early childhood education provide core courses in assessing young children’s learning, play-based learning, and leadership in early childhood education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can expect to take the following courses:[/hen-ui-text]

• Assessment in Early Childhood Education: Assessment classes focus on developmentally appropriate assessment strategies for working with young children.
• Documenting Children’s Learning: This course helps you document children’s individual and group learning experiences. You’ll also reflect on children’s group learning skills.
• Play in Early Childhood Education: Play is important in early childhood learning. This course examines stages of play, theories behind play-based learning, and research on play.

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Certifications and Licenses You Can Get With a Master’s in Early Childhood Education[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By earning a master’s in early childhood education, you can meet the qualifications for many optional credentials below. Certifications generally require meeting certain educational requirements and passing an exam, though criteria differs by state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cdacouncil.org/about/cda-credential/”]Child Development Associate Credential[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Council for Professional Recognition provides this credential for candidates who meet all professional requirements, including experience working with children from birth to age 5.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must have a minimum of a [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-early-childhood-education/”]bachelor’s in early childhood education[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://necpa.net/page/ccp/”]Certified Child Care Professional[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation offers certification as a childcare professional for candidates with childcare experience at a licensed childcare provider.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the credential does not require a master’s degree, graduates with a master’s in early childhood education can meet the qualifications. Several states use this certification for director-level positions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Careers for a Master’s in Early Childhood Education[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With an early childhood education degree, you can pursue several career paths, working with children from birth to age 8.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can stay in the classroom as a preschool teacher, childcare worker, or early childhood special education teacher. Or, you can move into administration.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In certain states, preschool directors must meet educational requirements, such as earning an advanced degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Here are three popular jobs you can pursue with a master’s in early childhood education. All salary and job growth data below comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-secondary-700″]Preschool Teachers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Preschool teachers care for children before they enter kindergarten, teaching language, motor, and social skills. These professionals can work at both public and private schools.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although entry-level positions only require an associate degree, a master’s degree can qualify you for leadership positions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”dollar-sign” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Median Annual Salary (May 2023) [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm”]$37,130[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”briefcase” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Projected Job Growth Rate [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]4% increase from 2023-2033[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-secondary-700″]Preschool and Childcare Center Directors[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Preschool directors and childcare center directors supervise staff, design programs, and oversee daily activities. While a bachelor’s degree meets the entry-level requirements for this role, some states require additional education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”dollar-sign” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Median Annual Salary (May 2023) [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm”]$54,290[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”briefcase” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Projected Job Growth Rate [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]-2% decrease from 2023-2033[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-secondary-700″]Special Education Teachers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, physical, and/or emotional disabilities. Some of these teachers focus on early childhood special education, working with children from birth to age 8.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”dollar-sign” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Median Annual Salary (May 2023) [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm”]$65,910[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”line-height: 22px;”][hen-ui-icon icon=”briefcase” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /] Projected Job Growth Rate [hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]0% growth from 2023-2033[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Early Childhood Education Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What are the highest-paying jobs with a master’s in early childhood education?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Early childhood education specialists and kindergarten and elementary school teachers rank as some of the highest-paying positions in early childhood education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm”]kindergarten and elementary school teachers[/hen-ui-link] make a median annual salary of $63,670 as of May 2023. Preschool, elementary school, middle school, secondary school, and special education teachers earn a median annual salary of $61,030.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Special education teachers also earn some of the top wages, with a median pay of $61,820.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Do you need a bachelor’s degree in education to get a master’s in early childhood education?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You typically need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college to get admitted into an early childhood master’s program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]That said, admission requirements can vary widely by school. You may need a bachelor’s degree in education, for example. Additionally, some colleges may require that you also hold a valid teaching certificate or be in the process of seeking teaching licensure.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If colleges do not require a teaching certificate, they may ask that you have relevant work or volunteer experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much is a master’s in early childhood education?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d21/tables/dt21_330.50.asp/”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link], graduate students at public institutions paid an average of $12,394 in tuition and fees in 2020-2021. Graduate students at nonprofit colleges paid a much higher average tuition of $28,445.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many variables determine your total cost of college. For instance, some online programs may be cheaper because they offer in-state tuition rates to all students, regardless of where they live.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-separator /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the [hen-ui-link href=”/contributors///tbs-rankings-team/”]TBS Rankings Team[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”1359,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]