Early childhood education (ECE) is a common degree for those who love working with children and wish to dedicate their careers to working with children in preschool, kindergarten, and first-third grade. Whether you’re looking for part-time or full-time, B.A. or M.A., or a specific specialization, you can customize your online ECE degree path at Pacific Oaks. An online ECE degree is a great option for those who need a more flexible program.
What Are the Benefits of an Early Childhood Education Online Degree?
Online degree programs make it possible for more people to study their passions. They allow you to pursue a new career path or maintain prior commitments without putting your life on hold.
The biggest feature for online early childhood education degrees is their accessibility. Whether you need to work a part-time job, take care of your family at home, or study remotely, online ECE degrees are there for you.
At Pacific Oaks, our online early childhood education degrees are done through Canvas, an online learning management system that makes it easy to access coursework and communicate with instructors and classmates. The Pacific Oaks online early childhood education degrees allow you to start a new career path on your own terms and with ample flexibility.
Online ECE Degree Programs
Online ECE programs aren’t just accessible because they can be completed from home—you can also choose between part-time or full-time degree paths.
Pacific Oaks offers 8 online early childhood education degree programs. All 8 online ECE programs can be part-time or full-time. Part-time degree paths take 4 years to complete while full-time degree paths take 2 years.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
This online B.A. program provides students with problem-solving and self-reflection skills, as well as a solid foundation in early childhood education and its influences on child development.
The curriculum is well-rounded and bridges the gap between ECE principles and the real-world teaching process. Some courses include Foundations of ECE and Current Issues in the Education of Young Children, Creating Inclusive Environments, and The Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Students in this program learn topics that range from psychology and educational policy to strategies for developing a classroom curriculum in art and music.
Online B.A. in ECE Courses
When you’re studying to receive your bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, you’ll work to build a foundation in various teaching methodologies and skills that you’ll need to create nurturing environments for children. The higher- level degrees, such as our Master’s and Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education, offer more critical thinking and a deeper understanding of techniques, analysis, and research.
The typical curriculum focuses include a framework for understanding how young children learn; the use of observation, documentation, and other assessment strategies in early childhood education; and affirming the role of family, school, and community on child development and learning.
Beyond standard general education courses, sample online early childhood education courses may include:
- Foundations of ECE and Current Issues in the Education of Young Children
- Creating Inclusive Learning Environments
- Social, and Emotional Foundations in Early Childhood Education
Online Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
The online M.A. degree in ECE delves deeper into the psychology of early childhood education and how to develop and manage outcome-based learning experiences for children.
Because the Master’s degree path prepares students for more administrative and managerial
positions, the curriculum includes courses on broader issues in early childhood education. Students can take courses like “Public Policy and Its Impact on Children and Families” and “Creating Responsive Communities for All Families”.
Additionally, the M.A. degree offers elective seminars that focus on special topics like gender-expansive children, foster care, and adoption.
- M.A. in Early Childhood Education
- M.A. in Early Childhood Education: Organizational Leadership and Change
- M.A. in Early Childhood Education: Trauma Studies
Once you decide to pursue an ECE degree online, you can choose between part-time and full-time options, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and if you want to specialize in a certain area.
Online Doctor of Education Program in Early Childhood Education
Pacific Oaks’ Online Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education allows working professionals and students to pursue higher education on their schedule. The Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education program is designed for individuals aiming to impact early childhood education through roles in policy, curriculum development, and administration. This online ECE degree connects core values learned at the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree level programs and offers a more in-depth education. Our online Doctor of Education in Early Childhood Education trains students to become ethical, culturally intelligent leaders in the ECE field.
Here are a few sample online Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education courses:
- Introduction to Doctoral Coursework
- Foundations of Early Childhood: Teaching & Leading ECE Programs
- Best Practices for Effective Leadership: The Early Childhood Lens
Admission and Graduate Requirements for ECE Education Online
The requirements for applying to an online ECE degree program and what it takes to complete the degree depend on the path you wish to pursue.
Each degree program has specific requirements for admissions and degree completion.
For example, Pacific Oaks’ Online B.A. in ECE has the following requirements:
- To join the program, you must have an associate’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in Child Development, ECE, or an academic area of study
- Admissions requirements also include a completed application, an application fee, a resume, a personal statement, and official transcripts
- There are 63 credits required for degree completion
- 24 of the 63 credits can be from workplace experience through the Credit for Learning from Experience program
Meanwhile, the Pacific Oaks’ Online M.A. in ECE requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in ECE or Child Development. The Master’s programs require 30 credits.
Your best option is to choose the program that best fits your needs and then check your eligibility.
Interested in pursuing an ECE degree online?
Explore our ECE program page, reach out to our team for more information, or fill out the form below to request more information about online ECE programs at Pacific Oaks College
