Most Affordable Online Master's In Early Childhood Education

Pennsylvania teachers will definitely want to check out Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Why? Because this cheap online master's degree in early childhood education offers an added certification in Early Childhood - which is a great way to boost your appeal to PA employers. Whether you pursue the certification or not, you'll find a well-regarded program that incorporates courses in specific subjects (e.g., math, literacy), addresses unique populations (e.g., exceptional learners), and helps expand your research skills. You'll even complete a research-based independent study project, which gives you the chance to explore a particular area of interest - and perhaps lay the groundwork for PhD-level study.

Northern Arizona University offers one of the most unique emphasis areas on this early childhood education online master's degree ranking: National Board Preparation. This exceptionally practical option not only prepares you for advanced certification, but it allows you to enroll in National Board coursework while you're simultaneously earning your M.Ed. This is a smart way to maximize your time and ready yourself for the rigorous National Board exam. But if National Board certification isn't your goal, don't worry: You can choose the Leadership or Teacher emphasis instead. But no matter your choice, you'll surely appreciate NAU's thoughtfully designed, NAEYC-recognized curriculum.

If you want to pursue Western Kentucky University's affordable online early childhood education graduate program, take note: only 80% of the courses are web-based. This means you will need to attend some in-person courses at one of the school's regional campuses. But if you can make that work with your schedule, this degree is well worth considering. One of its biggest selling points is its specializations, which enable you to augment your general coursework with a pedagogical or content focus specific to your career goals. Another appeal? The curriculum utilizes a forward-thinking, family-centric approach that views children in a holistic context in order to "promote independence and self-determination."

Between its comprehensive curriculum and required practicum, Northwestern State University M.Ed. program easily meets the standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). As a result, graduates can feel confident that they possess a reputable credential and the skills they need to succeed. Indeed, this affordable early childhood education online master's degree covers all the standard topics, plus more targeted subjects like ethics, contemporary education trends, and diversity. You'll also learn how to access and evaluate research, a skill you'll find particularly useful if you want to pursue PhD-level study. The degree concludes with your choice of a thesis project or "Action Research for School Improvement" course.

The M.Ed. at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro is an ideal choice if you want an online program that mirrors traditional on-campus experiences. For one, the same professors who teach classes on campus also act as online instructors. What's more, the program features synchronous virtual courses that require you to sign on at specific times and replicate the feeling of being in a classroom. As for the affordable master's in early childhood education online curriculum, you'll have your choice of two emphasis areas: Program Administration or Advanced Teaching Licensure. Note that the latter requires entrants to hold a valid teaching license.

Whether you want to attend an affordable online early childhood education graduate program full- or part-time, you'll find a schedule that fits your needs at Concordia University-Chicago. Although this flexible M.A. doesn't lead to licensure, it does prepare you for work in myriad academic settings. Indeed, the broad curriculum can lead to careers in private schools, community-based education programs, and other childcare professions. That's thanks to coursework that covers everything from helping diverse kinds of learners to working in multicultural environments and developing professional leadership skills. The degree culminates in a capstone in which you'll demonstrate your content mastery by completing a final project.

The University of Dayton's Department of Teacher Education earns accolades for its strong programs and even has an accreditation from the International Dyslexia Association. In other words, it's a great way for any aspiring teacher to earn an accredited master's in early childhood education online. And yet, it's also suitable for students seeking work outside the classroom. As an M.S.E. in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy, the program incorporates field experiences and courses that help build your leadership and managerial skills for a variety of careers. You'll even choose a "strand" in either Administration or Advocacy to help focus your studies.

The University of Colorado - Denver graduate program has plenty to recommend it. For starters, it boasts an impressive list of accreditations (including one from the Council for Exceptional Children) and a robust 200-hour fieldwork requirement. This cheap early childhood education online master's degree also incorporates three concentration options: Administration and Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, and Teaching and Learning. Not only do these targeted options bring additional focus to your degree, but they'll help you build specific skills that prepare you to meet your individual career goals. Lastly, you'll be happy to hear that the program is almost entirely online (except for a required summer seminar on campus).

At Saint Ambrose University, online learners have to sign on at specific times to attend synchronous classes. Students in this affordable online early childhood education graduate program also spend a week on campus in Davenport, Iowa, for a week-long Summer Institute. During this session, you'll visit SAU's Children's Campus, an early childhood program that employs project-based learning. But despite these time and travel obligations, program graduates regularly report that the two-year curriculum makes it easy to balance school with their other life commitments. Assisting in this effort is the curriculum's cohort-style delivery. This approach encourages you to foster connections with your classmates and teachers, so you don't have to look far for support whenever you need it.

If you're looking for a top online master's degree in early childhood education that includes plenty of hands-on work, you'll want to consider Georgia Southern University. This year-long program incorporates plenty of field experiences, so you can practice what you're learning in a real classroom. For example, the "Teaching Communication Across Cultures" provides specialized training by putting you to work with unique populations, including at-risk students and those in underserved communities. This commitment to meeting all learners' needs also manifests in the breadth of classes you'll take. There's even a required technology course in which you review the latest research and then design a tech-forward instruction plan.