With government and private organizations placing a greater emphasis on early childhood education, the demand for ECE teachers is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, schools will add 23,000 preschool teachers through 2033, a 4% growth rate, and over 1 million elementary teachers will be needed. Each of these positions requires at least a bachelor’s, as ECE teachers exercise a wide range of skills beyond teaching: classroom management, special needs assistance, parent-teacher collaboration, administrative help, ECE psychology, and more.
Because of their affordability and flexibility, aspiring ECE professionals are increasingly turning to online degree options, especially if they’ve already earned a bachelor’s in another discipline. Nearly all online tracks offer generous transfer policies (waiving general education requirements) in addition to flexible schedules, designed to accommodate working professionals and adult learners. For your convenience, we’ve compiled our top 10 online ECE bachelor’s below.
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1. University of the Cumberlands
University of the Cumberlands offers an on-campus or online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5). A Bachelor of Arts is also offered with a French or Spanish option. Students can expect caring and qualified teachers who will lead with Christian values.
- Tuition: $220 per credit hour
- Credits: 124
- Highlights: Offers a CAEP-accredited curriculum with uniform tuition rates for all students, regardless of residency.
- Website
2. Aspen University
Aspen’s online BS in Early Childhood Education is designed for both aspiring and current ECE professionals, consisting of 120 credits. Major requirements include:
- Infant and Toddler Mental Health
- Language Development
- Promoting Literacy in Preschool
- Strategies for Classroom Management
- Curriculum for Young Children
- Children with Special Needs
- Guiding Preschool Behavior
To customize the curriculum, students choose from a variety of electives (including for either preschool or infant/toddler specialization), and a senior capstone project incorporates theory with real-world practice. In particular, the curriculum follows standards according to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
- Tuition: $250 per credit hour; estimated total program cost around $30,000
- Highlights: Provides a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with flexible payment plans and eligibility for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
- Website
3. Western Governors University (WGU)
WGU offers an online BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education, designed for traditional students in addition to unlicensed teachers, substitute teachers, career changers, retired military personnel, and school paraprofessionals. Among the major courses are Teacher Education Diversity, Pedagogy, Effective Teaching Practices, Elementary Education Methods, Teacher Education Foundations, Preclinical Experiences, and Demonstration Teaching. With flexible coursework and the school’s transfer policy, students typically complete the degree in as little as 2-2.5 years. The program is accredited by the NCATE (the first online program to achieve that distinction) and is nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
- Tuition: Approximately $8,300 per year (flat-rate per six-month term)
- Highlights: Offers competency-based learning allowing students to progress at their own pace, with programs in elementary and special education.
- Website
4. University of Florida-Online
UF Online offers a B.A. in Elementary Education (K-6) with quality teaching and curriculum. Additional endorsements include (ESOL) English for Speakers of Other Languages and Reading. Florida is currently experiencing a teacher shortage and graduates can begin their career immediately.
- Tuition: $3,358 per year (in-state); $15,000 (out-of-state)
- Highlights: Provides a high-quality online education with a 92% retention rate, offering programs in various fields including education.
- Website
5. Florida International University
The BA in Early Childhood Education at FIU is offered fully online. The program has start days in the fall, spring and summer making it easy to get started.
- Tuition: $6,168 per year (in-state); $18,566 (out-of-state)
- Highlights: Offers a range of online bachelor’s programs with a strong emphasis on student support and a 92% retention rate.
- Website
6. Charter Oak State College
Charter Oak State College has six start dates to get started on the Child Studies Bachelor’s Degree Program. It is a interdisciplinary degree involving early childhood, sociology and psychology.
- Tuition: $7,656 per year (in-state); $10,056 (out-of-state)
- Highlights: Provides flexible online programs tailored for adult learners, with a 100% retention rate.
- Website
7. San Diego State University
The BS in Child Development at SDSU focuses on early childhood development. Career options include teaching, early intervention, social work or community leadership.
- Tuition: $5,742 per year (in-state); $17,622 (out-of-state)
- Highlights: Offers online bachelor’s programs with a focus on practical experience and a 90% retention rate.
- Website
8. Central Methodist University
Central Methodist’s online BS in Early Childhood Education develops an in-demand education skillset, with classes in Teaching, Educational Psychology, Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Elementary/Middle School, Children’s Literature, Creative Arts, and Reading and Writing with Young Children, among others. In addition, CMU’s experiential learning emphasis incorporates hands-on projects, , presentations, practicum experiences, and internships. All online courses are designed for maximum flexibility, including the option between accelerated 8-week blocks and traditional 16-week blocks.
- Tuition: $14,355/year
- Highlights: Academic advising, library services, financial assistance, a career development center, tech support, and counseling are among the available students resources.
- Website
9. Jackson State University
Jackson State’s online BS in Child Care and Family Education consists of 122 credits. Major requirements include Teaching and Learning Styles, Administration of Child Care Services, Utilization of Multi-Media Resources, Child Psychology, Pre-Reading Skills, Studies in Child Guidance, and Parent, Child, and Teacher Interaction. Designed for adult learners and professional workers with previous academic credits, JSU’s program allows up to 93 hours to be transferred into the program, leaving only the major education courses left.
- Tuition: $353/credit
- Highlights: All courses are highly flexible and deliver through the dynamic Canvas platform, which includes tech support, 24/7 access, group discussion boards, and more.
- Website
10. Bemidji State University
Bemidji State offers an online BS in Elementary Education (leading to Elementary Teacher Licensure) with teaching endorsements available in PrePrimary, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Communication Arts & Literature/English to tailor the curriculum to areas of professional interest (endorsements typically add 20-30 credits). Core requirements include Foundations of Public School Education, Educational Psychology, Human Relations In Education, Pedagogy: Planning for Instruction, The Professional Teacher, Health and Drugs in Society, and Adaptation and Management: Designing the Learning Environment.
- Tuition: $10,198
- Highlights: BSU also offers a unique Distributed Learning in Teacher Education program, consisting of online/hybrid and cohort-based courses delivered in six-semesters and culminating in a BS with licensure in Elementary Education.
- Website
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