The Top 10 Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs

Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education provide individuals with the advanced skills in child growth, development, and learning strategies that are essential to their success as daycare program coordinators, preschool directors, youth counselors, and elementary teachers around the world. Programs for these degrees are offered through many colleges and universities, and they are pursued by men and women of all ages who wish to work with young children and to inspire a lifetime love of learning in young, developing minds. Today, there are many online schools that offer accredited, comprehensive, flexible, and often affordable programs for Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education. Ten of the best of those online institutions and their degree programs are described in detail below.


Featured Accredited Early Childhood Programs

Grand Canyon University – BS: Early Childhood Education
Ashford University – BA: Early Childhood Development
Ranking The Top 10 Online Schools for a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Each of the schools that is described below is ranked according to the quality, distinction, and comprehensiveness of its Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree program.

1. Kendall College
School Rankings and Accreditation: Kendall College is ranked as one of the best online schools for childhood education by Super Scholar, and it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, this college’s online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree program is approved by the Illinois Board of Education.

Program Overview: Kendall College’s online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree program consists of 180 credit hours of study. Five specialization areas are offered for this online degree program, and they comprise: Childhood Nutrition, English as a Second Language, Infants and Toddlers, Small Business Management, and Special Education.

Unique Features: Kendall College is selected as the top school because its online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree program represents one of the most accredited, highest ranking, affordable, comprehensive, and diversified online degree programs available today. Aside from possessing 5 specialization areas, Kendall College’s online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree program also entails 180 credit hours of study. Most schools offer online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree programs that only entail 120 credit hours of study.

2. Grand Canyon University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Grand Canyon University is ranked as the fourth-best college for online education by Super Scholar. In addition, this university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Overview: Grand Canyon University offers an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree program that entails 120 credit hours of study. Course components of this online degree program include: Child Psychology, Early Literacy Development, and Educating the Exceptional Learner.

Unique Features: Grand Canyon University possesses some of the best options for financial aid, which include: the Servant Scholars Program, the President’s Scholarship, the Provost’s Scholarship, the Dean’s Scholarship, the Faculty Scholarship, and Transfer College Major Scholarships.

3. Post University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Post University is ranked as the sixth-best school for online education by Super Scholar. This university is accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools.

Program Overview: This university offers an online Bachelor’s of Science in Child Studies Degree program that consists of 120 credit hours of study in courses such as: Educational Psychology, Emergent Literacy, and Creative Activities.

Unique Features: Students who pursue this online degree program may transfer up to 90 credit hours from an accredited college or university.

4. Western Governors University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. This university is also ranked as one of the best online schools for early childhood education by Super Scholar.

Program Overview: Western Governors University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Degree program that consists of 122 credit hours of study.

Unique Features: Western Governors University possesses the distinction of being the first school to offer an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree program that is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

5. Liberty University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Liberty University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. This university is also ranked as one of the most conservative schools in the United States by Young America’s Foundation.

Program Overview: Liberty University offers an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education-Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program that includes 120 credit hours of study.

Unique Features: Liberty University includes a 90-hour practicum in its online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education-Interdisciplinary Studies Degree program. Experience in the field of teaching may be substituted for this online degree program’s credit hours.

6. Vanguard University of Southern California

School Rankings and Accreditation: Vanguard University of Southern California is ranked as one of the top universities in the World by both U.S. News and World Reports and Forbes Magazine. This university is also accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Program Overview: Vanguard University of Southern California offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Degree program that consists of 124 credit hours of study. This online degree program includes courses such as: Guiding the Young Child’s Behavior, Creative Art for the Young Child, and Leadership and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education.

Unique Features: Vanguard University of Southern California’s online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Degree program is Christian-based. This university’s small class sizes ensure students that they will receive the quality and attention that they deserve.

7. Kaplan University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Kaplan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. According to Online Education Database, Kaplan University is ranked among the top 50 online schools.

Program Overview: Kaplan University offers an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Development Degree program that consists of courses such as: Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Introduction to Early Childhood Education; and Children’s Literacy.

Unique Features: Over 96 percent of Kaplan University’s faculty members possess an advanced degree. Kaplan University is a military-friendly institution, and it offers active-duty members of the military a reduced tuition rate.


8. University of Massachusetts

School Rankings and Accreditation: The University of Massachusetts is accredited by the New England Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. This university is ranked as one of the best colleges for online education by The Best Colleges.

Program Overview: The University of Massachusetts offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Learning Degree program and an online Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Development Degree program. Both online degree programs consist of 120 credit hours of study.

Unique Features: The University of Massachusetts allows its online students to substitute up to 30 credit hours of study with hands-on experience in the field of education.

 9. Park University
 
School Rankings and Accreditation: Park University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and it is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. This university’s online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree programs meet the standards that are set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Program Overview: Park University offers both an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education-Teaching Young Children Degree program and an online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education and Leadership Degree program. These degree programs comprise 120 credit hours of study in courses such as: Infants and Toddlers, Educational Psychology, Children and Young Adult Literature, and Early Childhood Principles.

Unique Features: Park University is one of the only non-profit institutions that offers quality, online Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree programs. In addition, this university’s online degree programs are taught by instructors who possess advanced degrees and experiences as teachers and administrators in the field of education.

10. Walden University

School Rankings and Accreditation: Walden University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1990. The HLC is a member of the North Central Association, meaning Walden is accredited by a trustworthy regional accrediting source. Walden is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), a teacher specific accreditation that covers beginner teacher prep programs and advanced teacher prep programs.

Program Overview: Walden offers a BS in Child Development that is designed around National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) professional standards. Walden also offers an MS in Early Childhood Education.

Unique Features: Walden has a unique partnership with the National Education Association (NEA) Academy. The Academy chose Walden as its education provider, and NEA member are eligible for 10% off tuition.