B.A. in Early Childhood Education Degree Online
Our online B.A. in Early Childhood Education (ECE) program helps students achieve their degree with the flexibility to complete coursework on their schedule while balancing work or other commitments. The early childhood education online degree is available for these students who need greater flexibility.
Learning experiences throughout the online early childhood education degree program curriculum are characterized by inquiry, self-reflection, collaboration with others, and problem-solving. Students pursuing their bachelor’s degree in ECE will learn to acknowledge the influences on child development and learning.
Pacific Oaks encourages students to accelerate progress toward undergraduate degree completion by taking advantage of our Credit for Learning from Experience program. This program allows up to 24 credits for experience gained in the workplace.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education are frequently qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 3, in addition to preschool, positions that typically carry higher salaries than preschool-only roles.
The Credit for Learning from Experience program allows eligible students to complete up to 24 credits from workplace experience toward the 121 credits required for completion, reducing both the cost and the time to degree.
Online B.A. Early Childhood Education Specializations & Credentials
B.A. in Early Childhood Education Online Degree Sample Courses
Foundations of ECE and Current Issues in the Education of Young Children
The early childhood education online course explores the relationship between psychological theory and practice in education. It provides an overview of the application of fundamental principles of psychology to the teaching and learning process of children. The course covers topics such as theories of cognitive development, motivation, and classroom instruction.
Creating Inclusive Environments
This ECE course explores values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child (and their family) to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts. Students will be introduced to issues of power and privilege; theories and models of cultural diversity; and educational policy related to issues of access and equity. The focus of the course is to integrate knowledge of various cultural frameworks into the development of inclusive learning environments that provide access to early childhood education in a diverse society.
The Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education
Through activity-based instruction, this online class for early childhood education course introduces students to creative experiences designed to help early childhood educators develop curriculum in art, music, and movement. Students will also study the physical and motor development of young children.
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Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Completed Application for Admission
- Application fee
- Personal statement
- Identification verification
- Proof of academic history
- Work or Volunteer Experience Summary showing three or more years of significant professional or life experience or an official transcript confirming 24 transferable credits from an institutionally accredited institution with a grade of C or better
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College
- Any degree specific requirements
Applicants with less than 24 credits of transferrable college coursework who do not demonstrate three years of significant professional or life experience outlined on their Work or Volunteer Experience Summary, are required to submit additional documentation:
- One letter of support from someone (a non-relative) familiar with your ability to be successful in this program
- An additional essay (500-750 words). In your essay, please answer the following questions:
- What life and professional experience do you possess that would enable you to be successful in the Pacific Oaks classroom focused on the application of experience to the course content?
- Why it is important to you to study this discipline at a school that emphasizes social justice, cultural humility, and respect for every individual? (Please refer to the mission and vision statements of Pacific Oaks College).
- Interview with a member of the Admissions Committee
Pacific Oaks College prepares B.A. in Early Childhood Education graduates for teaching and leadership roles working with children from birth through age 8. The data below is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024.
Career paths and salaries
- Preschool Teacher: $37,120
- Kindergarten Teacher: $61,430
- Elementary School Teacher: $62,340
Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with about 65,500 openings projected each year.
Those with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education are frequently qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 3, in addition to preschool, positions that typically pay more.
Additional career paths for ECE graduates include childcare center director, family services coordinator, curriculum specialist, and for students who complete a California Teaching Credential track credentialed K–12 classroom teacher.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. Pacific Oaks College is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About the B.A. in Early Childhood Education
Q: Is the online Early Childhood Education degree 100% online?Â
- A: Yes. All classes in the online Early Childhood Education degree program are taken online; no campus visits are required. The program combines self-paced and scheduled coursework, allowing students to balance their online Early Childhood Education degree with work and other commitments.Students are located across California and beyond; the program is accessible to anyone who can meet the online learning requirements outlined on the Online Learning page.
Q: Are there any test score requirements for the bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education?
- A: There are a few instances when students may be required to take an exam.Â
- Students entering the ECE program with 40 or more transfer credits at the time of admission must successfully complete the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) or meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). They must also show proof of registration for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET) exam.
- Students entering the ECE program without 40 transfer credits at the time of admission who wish to pursue the B.A. in Early Childhood Education degree online with the Elementary Education and/or Special Education concentration must pass the CBEST or meet the BSR by the conclusion of 40 GE credits to progress into a credential track program.
- Students pursuing the standard B.A. in Early Childhood Education without a credential track do not need to meet these exam requirements upfront; speak with Admissions to confirm your specific pathway.
Q: How long does it take to complete the online Early Childhood Education degree program?
- A: The online ECE degree requires 121 credits for completion. The timeline depends on your credit load per term and how many transfer credits you bring. Pacific Oaks’ Credit for Learning from Experience program allows eligible students to receive up to 24 credits for relevant workplace experience, which can meaningfully reduce the total coursework required and shorten the path to graduation. Contact Admissions for a timeline estimate based on your specific academic and professional background.
Q: How much does an Early Childhood Education degree online cost?
- A: Tuition information for the Online B.A. in Early Childhood Education is available directly through Pacific Oaks Admissions.Students may also be eligible to reduce their cost through financial aid, scholarships, and Pacific Oaks’ Credit for Learning from Experience program, which allows up to 24 credits for documented workplace experience, credits that count toward the 121 required for completion and can reduce the number of courses a student needs to pay for.
Q: What specializations are available in the online ECE bachelor’s degree?Â
- A: The Online B.A. in Early Childhood Education is available in four tracks:
- STEAM Specialization integrates science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics into early childhood practice
- Trauma Studies Specialization, focuses on trauma-informed approaches to teaching young children
- Dual California Teaching Credential, combines the degree with both Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credentials
- Preliminary Multiple Subject California Teaching Credential, combines the degree with a credential for K–12 self-contained classrooms
- Students who wish to teach in California public schools will need one of the credential tracks and must meet additional California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requirements.
Q: What can I do with an online bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education?
- A: A B.A. in Early Childhood Education prepares graduates for roles working with children from birth through age 8 in a variety of settings. Common career paths include preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, elementary school teacher (grades K–3, with additional credentialing), childcare center director, family services coordinator, and curriculum specialist.According to the BLS, those with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education are often qualified to teach kindergarten through grade 3 in addition to preschool, roles that carry higher median salaries than preschool-only positions ($61,430–$62,340 vs. $37,120, BLS May 2024).
Q: Is the Pacific Oaks online ECE degree accredited?
- A:Yes. Pacific Oaks College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), one of the seven regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted form of academic accreditation in the United States and is required for credits to transfer to most other colleges and universities. The B.A. in Early Childhood Education is a regionally accredited degree program.
Q: Why choose Pacific Oaks for an online Early Childhood Education degree?
- A: Pacific Oaks College has been a leader in early childhood education since 1945, launching one of the nation’s first Head Start training programs at the request of the U.S. government, and contributing foundational scholarship in anti bias education through faculty like Louise Derman-Sparks. The online B.A. in ECE offers four specialization tracks, recognizes up to 24 credits for relevant work experience through the Credit for Learning from Experience program, and connects ECE principles to social justice, cultural competence, and inclusive practice, the frameworks that define high-quality early childhood education.Graduates are eligible to pursue California Teaching Credential pathways, master’s degree programs, and leadership roles in ECE.