Early childhood education (ECE) is the field of study that focuses on the development and learning of children from birth to age eight. ECE professionals work with young children in various settings, such as preschools, childcare centers, family homes, and elementary schools. They help children acquire essential skills and knowledge in areas such as language, literacy, math, science, social-emotional, and physical development.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in ECE, you may wonder how to get the education and training you need. One option is to enroll in an online college that offers ECE programs. Online education can provide you with flexibility, convenience, affordability, and quality while you earn your degree or certificate in ECE.
However, not all online colleges are created equal. There are many factors to consider when choosing an online college for ECE, such as accreditation, curriculum, faculty, cost, support services, and student outcomes. In this article, we will discuss these factors and provide you with a list of some of the best online colleges for ECE in 2023.
What is Accreditation and Why is it Important?
Accreditation is a process of quality assurance that evaluates the standards and practices of educational institutions and programs. Accreditation ensures that the education you receive meets certain criteria of excellence and prepares you for your chosen profession.
There are two types of accreditation: regional and national. Regional accreditation is the most widely recognized and respected type of accreditation in the United States. It is granted by six regional accrediting agencies that oversee colleges and universities in different geographic areas. National accreditation is granted by specialized agencies that focus on specific types of institutions or programs, such as vocational, technical, or religious education.
When choosing an early childhood education online degree programs, you should look for one that has regional accreditation. This will ensure that your degree or certificate will be recognized by employers, licensing boards, and other educational institutions. It will also make you eligible for federal financial aid and scholarships.
In addition to regional accreditation, some online colleges for education early childhood may also have programmatic accreditation. This means that their online bachelor degree programs early childhood education have been reviewed and approved by a specialized accrediting agency that focuses on ECE standards and competencies. Some of the most reputable agencies that accredit early childhood education online degree programs are:
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Programmatic accreditation is not mandatory for ECE programs, but it can indicate a higher level of quality and rigor. It can also help you prepare for professional certification or licensure exams in online colleges with early childhood education.
What are the Curriculum and Faculty Requirements for Online Colleges for ECE?
The curriculum and faculty requirements for colleges for early childhood education online vary depending on the level and type of program you choose. However, some common elements that you can expect to find in most online ECE programs are:
- A core curriculum that covers the foundations of ECE theory and practice, such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, assessment methods, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, family and community partnerships, ethics and professionalism.
- A specialization or concentration area that allows you to focus on a specific aspect or population of ECE, such as preschool education, infant/toddler care, Montessori education, special education, bilingual education, administration and leadership.
- A field experience component that requires you to complete a certain number of hours of supervised practice in an approved ECE setting. This may include observation hours, practicum hours, student teaching hours, or internship hours.
- A capstone project or portfolio that showcases your knowledge and skills in ECE through a research paper, presentation, or artifact.
The faculty requirements for early childhood education colleges online also vary depending on the program. However, some common qualifications that you should look for in online ECE instructors are:
- A master’s or doctoral degree in ECE or a related field
- Relevant professional experience in ECE settings
- Certification or licensure in ECE or a related field
- Online teaching experience and training
- Availability and responsiveness to students
How Much Does it Cost to Attend an Online College for ECE?
The cost of attending an online college for ECE depends on several factors, such as the type and level of program you choose, the number of credits you need to complete, the tuition rate per credit hour, the fees and expenses associated with online learning, and the financial aid options available to you.
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average annual tuition and fees for undergraduate students enrolled in public four-year institutions was $10,560 in 2020-21. For private nonprofit four-year institutions, the average annual tuition and fees was $37,650. For public two-year institutions, the average annual tuition and fees was $3,770.
However, these figures are only estimates and may not reflect the actual cost of attending an online college for ECE. Some online colleges may charge lower or higher tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. Some online colleges may also charge additional fees for online learning, such as technology fees, course materials fees, proctoring fees, or graduation fees.
To get a more accurate estimate of the cost of attending an online college for ECE, you should contact the admissions office of the online college you are interested in and ask for a breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program. You should also inquire about the financial aid options available to you, such as grants, scholarships, loans, work-study programs, or employer reimbursement.
What are the Support Services and Student Outcomes for Online Colleges for ECE?
Another factor to consider when choosing an online college for ECE is the support services and student outcomes that the online college provides. Support services are the resources and assistance that online colleges offer to help you succeed in your online learning experience. Student outcomes are the measures of achievement and satisfaction that online colleges report to demonstrate their effectiveness and quality.
Some of the support services that you should look for in an online college for ECE are:
- Academic advising and counseling
- Tutoring and mentoring
- Technical support and help desk
- Library and research services
- Career services and job placement
- Alumni network and community
Some of the student outcomes that you should look for in an online college for ECE are:
- Graduation rate
- Retention rate
- Transfer rate
- Job placement rate
- Licensure or certification exam pass rate
- Student satisfaction rate
You can find information about the support services and student outcomes of online colleges for ECE on their websites or by contacting their representatives. You can also check third-party sources, such as ranking websites, accreditation websites, or government databases, to verify and compare the data.
What are Some of the Best Online Colleges for ECE in 2023?
Based on our research and analysis of various factors, such as accreditation, curriculum, faculty, cost, support services, and student outcomes, we have compiled a list of some of the best online schools that offer early childhood education in 2023. These online colleges offer high-quality ECE programs at various levels and types, such as associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certificates, or endorsements. They also offer affordable tuition rates, flexible schedules, and comprehensive support services to help you achieve your educational and career goals in ECE.
Here is our list of some of the best online colleges for early childhood education in 2023:
- University of Washington: The University of Washington is a public research university that has regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). It also has programmatic accreditation from CAEP for its ECE programs. The University of Washington offers an online bachelor's degree for early childhood education completion program in early care and education that prepares students for careers as educators or administrators in diverse ECE settings. The program requires 45 credits of upper-division coursework that covers topics such as child development, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, leadership and advocacy, family engagement, and diversity and equity. The program also requires a capstone project that integrates theory and practice. The tuition rate for the program is $543 per credit hour.
- National University: National University is a private nonprofit university that has regional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). It also has programmatic accreditation from NAEYC for its ECE programs. National University offers an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education that prepares students for careers as teachers or administrators in various ECE settings. The program requires 180 quarter units of coursework that covers topics such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, assessment methods, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, family and community partnerships, ethics and professionalism. The program also offers five concentration options: preschool education; infant/toddler care; Montessori education; special education; bilingual education. The program also requires a field experience component that includes observation hours, practicum hours, student teaching hours, or internship hours. The tuition rate for the program is $370 per quarter unit.
- Liberty University: Liberty University is a private evangelical Christian university that has regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Online schools for early childhood education degrees also has programmatic accreditation from CAEP for its ECE programs. Liberty University offers an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education interdisciplinary studies that prepares students for careers as teachers or administrators in various ECE settings. The program requires 120 credit hours of coursework that covers topics such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, assessment methods, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, family and community partnerships, ethics and professionalism. The program also offers a minor option in special education. The program also requires a field experience component that includes observation hours, practicum hours, student teaching hours, or internship hours. The tuition rate for the program is $390 per credit hour.
- Arizona State University: Arizona State University is a public research university that has regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It also has programmatic accreditation from CAEP for its ECE programs. Arizona State University offers an online bachelor’s degree in educational studies with a concentration in early childhood education that prepares students for careers as educators or administrators in various ECE settings. The program requires 120 credit hours of coursework that covers topics such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, assessment methods, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, family and community partnerships, ethics and professionalism. The program also requires a capstone project that integrates theory and practice. The tuition rate for the program is $561 per credit hour.
- Walden University: Walden University is a private for-profit university that has regional accreditation from the HLC. It also has programmatic accreditation from NAEYC for its ECE programs. Walden University offers an online bachelor’s degree in early childhood studies that prepares students for careers as educators or administrators in various ECE settings. The program requires 181 quarter credits of coursework that covers topics such as child development, learning theories, curriculum design, assessment methods, classroom management, diversity and inclusion, family and community partnerships, ethics and professionalism. The program also offers four specialization options: administration management and leadership; infant and toddler care; teaching adults in the early childhood field; teaching and diversity in early childhood education. The program also requires a field experience component that includes observation hours, practicum hours, student teaching hours, or internship hours. The tuition rate for the program is $325 per quarter credit.
These are just some of the examples of the best online colleges early childhood education in 2023. There are many other online colleges that offer quality ECE programs at different levels and types. You should do your own research and compare the features and benefits of each online college before making your final decision.
Conclusion
Early childhood education is a rewarding and challenging career that requires a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Online education can help you achieve your educational and career goals in ECE by providing you with flexibility, convenience, affordability, and quality. However, not all online colleges are created equal. You should consider factors such as accreditation, curriculum, faculty, cost, support services, and student outcomes when choosing an online college for ECE. You should also look for online colleges that offer ECE programs that match your interests and needs.