Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education

A master’s in early childhood education is a graduate degree best suited for established and emerging teachers who work with children from 0-8 years old. By pursuing this degree, you can develop advanced skills and insights that help you become a more effective professional.

The number of public school teachers holding advanced degrees has increased in recent decades. A postbaccalaureate degree can help you stay competitive in a changing job market, and it may also improve your earning potential — many school districts across the United States offer higher pay rates to teachers with advanced degrees.

This program guide explains what to expect from an online master’s in early childhood education. It also features a ranked list of top online programs, which you can use to guide your search for the ideal school.

Though individual classes for online master’s in early childhood education (ECE) degrees vary, most programs explore effective instruction for early learners, curriculum development, assessment, and leadership skills.

Degree-seekers can also expect to learn about modern issues in early childhood education. Some programs may require a research-based thesis or capstone project, while other degrees — particularly those that lead to teaching licensure — culminate in a final teaching practicum.

Some ECE master’s programs offer specialization tracks. Common concentration options include special education, administration, teaching, and leadership.

When researching master’s in early childhood education online programs, ensure that each school holds institutional accreditation from an organization like the Higher Learning Commission or the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges.

These accreditors have approval from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to evaluate institutions’ academic rigor, available resources, and student outcomes. ED only awards federal financial aid to students attending accredited institutions.

Along with prioritizing institutionally accredited schools, learners should consider ECE master’s programs with programmatic accreditation. While not always necessary for licensure, programmatic accreditation ensures a program’s curriculum meets professional standards. The main accrediting bodies for early childhood education programs include:

A master’s in early childhood education can prepare enrollees for careers in or outside the classroom. Some programs lead to teaching licensure and include required field experience. Graduates can then pursue preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teaching positions. After a few years of teaching experience, professionals can apply for principal and childcare center director positions.

Some degrees do not prepare enrollees for teaching licensure, instead focusing on skills for learning outside the classroom. Graduates of these programs can pursue administrative roles in daycares, libraries, and other learning facilities that cater to young children.

Other potential career paths include child development researcher, early childhood specialist, and child advocate. ECE master’s degree graduates can also help create learning programs as education program consultants or curriculum designers.

While an online master’s in early childhood education can generate a positive return on investment, tuition can be expensive. If you need help financing your online degree, these five resources and strategies may help:

The federal government’s TEACH Grant program offers up to $4,000 per year in nonrepayable funding for teacher education. In exchange, you must teach full time for at least four years at a school serving students from low-income communities after graduation.

The TLF program offers up to $17,500 in relief from subsidized and unsubsidized federal education loans. To qualify, you must serve as a full-time teacher for at least five consecutive academic years in a school or agency that serves low-income students.

Teachers can qualify for PSLF aid if they work in public schools or other government agencies that provide education services. Federal loans qualify for forgiveness under the program, even if they’re consolidated. However, private loans are not eligible for forgiveness.

Many states operate their own financial aid initiatives for students working toward teaching careers. These funding opportunities include scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs. Connect with your state’s education agency to research these options.

Many governments, higher education institutions, philanthropic organizations, and private donors operate scholarship and grant programs for education students. Scholarships and grants do not require repayment, which helps you avoid debt.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed June 28, 2024.