Best Online Early Childhood Master's Programs

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $1,150
• Credits to Graduate: 30

Located in Pasadena, Pacific Oaks offers an online master's program in early childhood education, which you can complete full or part time. The program emphasizes leadership, inclusion, and hands-on training. In it, you'll draw on real-world examples to strengthen your skills as an educator.

Prospective applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Pacific Oaks looks for candidates with a degree in early childhood education or child development. You must also submit a resume, a personal statement, and transcripts.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $410
• Credits to Graduate: 32

Strengthen your teaching skills with Harding's excellence in teaching MA program. This degree incorporates 17 credits of core teaching classes and 15 credits of electives specializing in early childhood education. The Christian university also requires two credits of religious coursework on spirituality and the educator.

To apply, you must submit official transcripts, send in three recommendation letters, and have a current educator license. The program requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA in the final 60 credits. You do not need to submit standardized test scores.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $499
• Credits to Graduate: 30

Enhance your understanding of early childhood learning with Clemson's M.Ed. in teaching and learning program. This degree offers experiential learning for an early childhood concentration.

During the 18-month program, you'll learn how to create experiential learning opportunities based on the latest research. While studying play-based learning, you'll explore strategies to implement learning processes for children.

You must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and work experience in education to apply. Clemson also requests unofficial transcripts, a personal statement, three recommendation letters, and a resume.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $415
• Credits to Graduate: 36

Liberty's master's in curriculum and instruction offers an early childhood education focus. In this program, you'll gain teaching skills while learning how to design engaging, interactive lessons. Coursework also covers child development and assessment methods.

Apply with college transcripts, an online application, and an application fee. Liberty uses an eight-week term and accepts up to 18 transfer credits toward the master's degree.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: In-State | $429; Out-of-State | $515
• Credits to Graduate: 30

In CU Denver's master's in early childhood education program, you'll complete real-world assignments that encourage innovative approaches. You'll also receive student services throughout the program. You can choose the early childhood special education track to add an endorsement or qualify for initial licensure.

The program admits students with fall, spring, and summer start dates. To apply, submit an application at least four months before your start date. CU Denver uses a rolling admission process and aims to respond to applications within 2-3 weeks.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $504
• Credits to Graduate: 30

Ole Miss's online M.Ed. in early childhood education strengthens leadership skills, leading to careers in administration, consulting, and research. If you've got a Mississippi teaching license, you can also add a pre-K license endorsement to the degree.

The program requires a minimum 3.0 GPA on your last 60 hours of undergraduate work. You'll need a bachelor's in education or a closely related field. Admission also requires test scores from the Praxis II, GRE, or other exam.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $1,500
• Credits to Graduate: 36

Looking for initial teacher certification? Then check out Fordham's program. You can earn your MS in teaching with the early childhood education track. Explore educational models and study play-based learning during the program. You'll also complete a field experience working with pre-K students and students in kindergarten through second grade.

The application requirements include transcripts, a resume, a personal essay, and two letters of recommendation. Fordham looks for candidates with past experience and the personal characteristics to thrive in an early childhood education program.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $303
• Credits to Graduate: 39

Certified teachers can qualify for UNG's online early childhood education master's program. This degree offers asynchronous classes and a cohort format. What's more, you can graduate in just six semesters.

To apply, you'll need a bachelor's in early childhood education. UNG requires a minimum 2.75 GPA and GRE or MAT scores. If you have a master's degree or a 3.0 GPA or higher, you can waive the test requirement. You'll also need a valid teaching certificate.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $291
• Credits to Graduate: 30

Gain hands-on training with A-State's master's in early childhood education. In this program, you'll strengthen your research skills and learn how to create an engaging curriculum. You'll also test out your classroom skills in a practicum in teacher education. You can complete the program in as little as one year.

To apply, you'll need a valid teaching license and official transcripts. A-State requires a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution.

• Avg. Cost per Credit: $340
• Credits to Graduate: 33

Advance your teaching skills with Northwestern College's online master's in early childhood education program. This degree builds on your classroom experience to train you as an administrator, specialist, or consultant. Thanks to a flexible format, you can take one class per eight-week term and graduate in under two years.

You'll need to meet the program's admission requirements, which include holding an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. You must also have a valid teaching license to apply.