Most Affordable Online Early Childhood Education Programs

We ‘ve ranked the most low-cost on-line knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood department of education programs. Compare schools by cost, convenience, and academician quality. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported locate. Featured or trusted spouse programs and all school research, finder, or meet results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent data published on this locate. For students who want to support the development of young children, an on-line bachelor ‘s in early childhood education leads to many career possibilities. These programs equip learners with a diverse skill set that they can apply to both teaching and presidency positions, including education administrator and childcare center film director.

This page explores on-line knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education programs in more detail, highlighting course requirements, career options, and the most low-cost study options available .

How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Cost?

The price of a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education varies by school and broadcast. The most low-cost on-line bachelor ‘s in early childhood department of education programs cost approximately $ 100 per credit. however, these programs can cost more than $ 2,000 per credit rating at the higher end of the scale .
prospective students should look at the true program cost to determine the sum price of their education. This factors in extra fees, travel expenses, and room and control panel, along with any income lost during their education. For some, an on-line knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood department of education can lead to reduced travel expenses and more well maintained cultivate schedules .

What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Program?

Bachelor ‘s in early childhood education programs offer respective pathways that impact students ‘ career options. Choosing the correctly route depends on each person ‘s interests and goals .
broadly, these programs require 120 credits and take four years to complete. Many of the best programs besides feature an internship that helps satisfy licensure requirements .
Curricula and career possibilities vary well by school, and specializations can open new doors. Compassionate and patient degree-seekers with an sake in working with children may consider pursuing concentrations in language development or particular age groups. Detail-oriented draw a bead on administrators and directors may prefer a course of study development or leadership concentration .
Some schools besides offer a choice between a BA and a BS. While a BA provides more general train and can lead to non-teaching careers, a BS tends to provide more concenter teacher train and prepares graduates for a teaching license .
After commencement, learners frequently choose between certifications and licenses, which has a major influence on career pathways. For exercise, most teach positions require licensure, so students need to understand their specific state requirements. Childcare directors may besides require certification, such as the child growth associate certificate .

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Popular Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, handiness of fiscal aid, and more by contacting the universities below .

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Program?

The tilt below details some of the most common early childhood education classes online that degree-seekers may encounter, along with some courses that may appear in all education programs .

Child Development

In this class, students learn about how children develop intellectually, physically, and socially. The class covers versatile environmental factors that charm development, assessment, and identification processes. Learners besides discuss how to help children manage different developmental issues. Degree-seekers assess how to support children based on their singular situations and needs .

Play-Based Learning

Students in this course learn how to create and facilitate play-based moral plans. Learners besides explore how and why play powerfully impacts intellectual, physical, and emotional development .

Curriculum Planning

This course teaches students how to create lesson plans that encourage discovery and engagement with peers, instructors, and diverse environments. coarse topics include play-based eruditeness, imagination, and physical interactions. Students besides learn how to evaluate children ‘s cognition .

Assessment and Evaluation for Young Children

Students examine tools and methods for evaluating children in diverse educational settings in this course. They look at ways to improve student result through motivational techniques and challenges. Degree-seekers besides learn how to identify particular needs and overcome linguistic and learn barriers .

Center Leadership

This course teaches learners how to manage a childcare center field, including finance and budget, staff prepare and development, and homo resources. Students explore ways of creating engaging program plan and community interest .

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What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Program?

While every on-line knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education has its own unique admission requirements, prospective students typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some schools require candidates to meet a minimum GPA for entrance. Online learners may besides need to meet certain technological requirements .

Application

The standard college application normally includes the items listed below, as per our undergraduate application guide. prospective students can submit their applications immediately to their schools of interest or to multiple schools at once through a service like the Common Application .

Test Scores

Some applications require prospective students to include the results from their college entrance examination. Applicants typically submit SAT or ACT scores when applying to undergraduate programs. Though many schools have granted test waivers for all incoming students, candidates may still need competitive scores to be accepted to their intended schools and programs .

Letters of Recommendation

Most schools require prospective students to submit three letters of recommendation as depart of their application. These letters come from current or former teachers or employers and address the candidate ‘s strengths and electric potential. Applicants should start asking for letters of recommendation early and provide their references with clear deadlines .

Essays

College application essays give prospective students distance to talk about themselves and add personality to their paperwork. Undergraduate applicants typically write about their personal and academician travel. Some schools and programs may require candidates to answer specific questions in their essays .

Official Transcripts

prospective students need to submit official transcripts along with their applications. Transcripts provide schools with information on the applicant ‘s grades and prerequisite trail. For candidates transferring from residential district college to university, transcripts can help schools issue transfer credits .

What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree?

Career Outlook

The demand for graduates with a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education should grow as the country recovers from the COVID-19 recess. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) projects the accession of more than 80,000 newly childcare workers between 2020 and 2030, plus over 150,000 annual openings .
In addition to these entry-level positions, knight bachelor ‘s graduates can pursue teaching and management positions in schools and childcare centers. The flexibility of this education program helps make it one of the most popular college majors. Wages after graduation can vary well depending on which route graduates decide to take. For example, childcare workers earned median annual wages of $ 25,460 in May 2020, while childcare center directors earned $ 49,160 .
Learn more about child development careers and discover what roles a knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education can lead to .

Career Paths

Childcare Director

Childcare directors manage childcare centers and programs, ensuring that staff and educators follow procedures and protocols and meet the organization ‘s standards. They besides handle budget, develop policies, and design programs. According to the BLS, 64 % of these professionals work in childcare centers, 11 % work in religious organizations, and 7 % work in schools .
Median Annual Salary : $ 49,160

Childcare Administrator

education administrators work in diverse schools and centers to manage tasks like finances, program entree, and staff support. They may besides work in program design and communicate with families and the community. According to the BLS, most childcare administrators work immediately in childcare services, but some shape in the elementary educate system or family services .
Median Annual Salary : $ 49,160

Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten teachers design and implement example plans that teach basic skills to young students. They assess and address scholar needs and evaluate learners in versatile ways. > Most kindergarten teachers work in the public school arrangement .
Median Annual Salary : $ 60,660

Preschool Teacher

preschool teachers support the development of students before they enter kindergarten, helping them with sociable skills and assurance. They observe students in diverse settings, looking for likely developmental concerns while developing programs that help children learn about the world and themselves. According to the BLS, preschool teachers typically find work in childcare centers, religious organizations, and public and secret schools.

Median Annual Salary : $ 31,930

Childcare Worker

childcare workers take care of the children in versatile educational centers, prey, clean, supervising, and recording their activities throughout the day. They may besides create example plans and activities based on observations and child interests. The BLS reports that most childcare workers are employed in childcare centers, although many are freelance or work in secret residences .
Median Annual Salary : $ 25,460

Early Childhood Education Not For You? Check Out These Related Careers.

Continuing Education

A bachelor ‘s in early childhood education provides an effective step rock for assorted graduate degrees for graduates wanting to continue their aim. A bachelor ‘s degree in early childhood education or a relate field is a necessity for most direct graduate pathways, such as a dominate ‘s in early childhood development and a overcome ‘s in child growth .
Graduates can besides move into other education disciplines, such as a victor ‘s in education, master ‘s in educational leadership, master ‘s in education administration, or a victor ‘s in especial education program. These dominate ‘s degrees can lead to management, program development, and policy-making positions .

How Do I Pay for an Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Completing the free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA ) should be the first step for most students when looking for fiscal aid. As mentioned in our fiscal aid and FAFSA guide, this application can lead to loans, grants, work-study programs, and scholarships .

Loans

According to our college loans guide, students have access to respective loanword types, including federal and secret loans. Learners may qualify for subsidized and unsubsidized loans. early childhood educators may be eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program .

Grants

As per our scholarships and grants scout, degree-seekers with fiscal need have access to versatile union grants, including Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. prospective teachers may besides qualify for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education ( TEACH ) Grant .

Work-Study Programs

federal work-study programs provide paid solve experiences for students who demonstrate fiscal necessitate. As per our union work-study scout, these jobs offer financing, valuable and target experience, and flexible schedules. The available work-study jobs depend on the school, and positions may be available on campus or in the community .

Scholarships

According to our scholarship lead for college students, learners can search for scholarships in assorted ways. These fiscal care programs come from the union, state, and local governments equally well as particular colleges, universities, and organizations. early childhood education students can access scholarships through versatile national education organizations, such as the National Education Association .

Most Affordable Accredited Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Programs

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Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Education

Is a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education worth it ?
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Yes. A bachelor ‘s in early childhood education can be very worthwhile for aspiring childcare professionals. The training leads to respective in-demand teaching and childcare careers, as projected by the BLS. These degrees can besides help graduates enter headmaster ‘s programs in education .
The measure of an on-line degree may come in different forms for learners. many on-line students benefit most from the schedule flexibility, which can lead to more manageable work schedules and shorter overall study times. Others find the school selection and more independent learning formats preferable .
What can I do with a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education ?
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A bachelor ‘s in early childhood education provides graduates with an effective foundation for entering the work force or continuing their train. Graduates can work in different roles within childcare centers, including management positions. They can besides pursue traditional classroom positions, such as teacher and teacher assistant roles .
A knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education can besides prepare graduates for more advance prepare. Learners can expand on their early childhood education studies with a victor ‘s academic degree in the discipline. They may specialize in a airfield like child development, limited education, or course of study and teaching .
Are early childhood department of education majors in demand ?
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Yes. As the state recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, graduates with a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education will be in demand in schools and childcare centers. The BLS projects that jobs for childcare workers will grow by 8 % between 2020 and 2030, and an 11 % emergence in jobs for childcare center directors over that same time period .
other positions for early childhood education program graduates are besides projected to have healthy growth over the following decade. For example, the BLS projects 9 % growth in teacher adjunct jobs, 8 % growth in extra education teacher jobs, and 18 % growth in preschool teacher jobs. For comparison, jobs across all occupations are projected to grow by 8 % from 2020-2030 .
How much money can I make with a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education ?
The sum of money available to graduates with a knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education depends on several factors. location, employer, place, and experience can all affect wages. For exercise, childcare workers earned medial hourly wages of $ 12.24 in May 2020, while the highest 10 % of earners made $ 18.13, according to the BLS .
Preschool teachers earned median annual wages of $ 31,930 in May 2020, and childcare center directors earned medial annual wages of $ 49,160. The top 10 % of professionals in those fields earned $ 58,230 and $ 86,040, respectively .
Where are the highest-paying jobs with a knight bachelor ‘s in early childhood education ?

The highest-paying jobs for graduates with a bachelor ‘s in early childhood education belong to limited education teachers. According to the BLS, these professionals earned median annual wages of $ 61,500 in May 2020. The top 10 % of earners in the discipline brought in more than $ 100,570 .
The median annual engage for special education teachers varies by classroom age and school type. especial department of education teachers in preschool classrooms earned medial annual wages of $ 61,400 in May 2020. In kindergarten and elementary school classrooms, these teachers earned $ 60,620. especial education teachers may need a teaching license to teach in public schools .
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