20 Best Online Masters in Early Childhood Education

If you dig into the history of American universities, you’ll discover many began as â€Å"normal schools† (i.e. teachers’ schools) in the 1800s. Wherever the population went, a school to train teachers soon followed. Some eventually became four-year universities over the succeeding decades when the needs of the population expanded, but training teachers remains a critical component of, well, civilized society. Thats why College Rank made a list of the school which offer aspiring educators the best online Masters in Early Childhood Education. Some of the most important instruction students receive occurs early in their education, making practitioners of early childhood education particularly important. A Master’s in the field helps established teachers prepare for more senior or specialized roles, and those simply interested in an education career a broad knowledge base of today’s important touch points: diversity, child development, constructivism, and more. What is a Master’s in Early Childhood Education? Teaching is a field with seemingly countless specialties, which makes it difficult to cram everything into undergraduate education instruction. An advanced degree, such as a Master’s in early childhood education—which generally means kids from pre-K through age 8—provides further specialization that not only hones your abilities but also opens further career opportunities. Because many of the 20 best online Master’s in early childhood education programs are geared toward working teachers, many require a teaching certificate. They also usually require a 2.75 GPA or better in undergraduate work, along with letters of recommendation and a personal statement. An interview may also be required, though not many require the GRE or GMAT. Online instruction allows for more flexible instruction, via synchronous (watching lectures and interacting in real time) or asynchronous learning (consuming course materials on your schedule). Some schools use a cohort system, which means everyone begins the program at the same time, while others offer multiple starts throughout the year. They all require at least 30 credits to graduate and take two to three years of part-time instruction to complete. Some specialize within early childhood education with additional concentrations like reading/literacy instruction or STEAM, and others gear their instruction toward certain areas within early childhood like pre-kindergarten. Expect to take core coursework that provides a broad educational foundation in areas like inclusive education and child development. From there, classes get more specific, including obvious stuff like curriculum design, student assessment, and leaderships skills to personnel management, accounting, facilities design, and even marketing. Also expect to spend about $18,005 per academic year, the average for our top 20 programs, which have a median price of $15,914. We calculate those figures using tuition as a base and factor in financial-aid opportunities. Careers for a Master’s in Early Childhood Education Besides teacher? People who pursue a Master’s in early childhood education tend to use the degree to take on more senior, or at least specialized, roles such as early childhood administrators, specialists, or consultants. The University of Toledo notes, â€Å"Graduates with a non-licensure Master’s degree in early childhood education typically pursue a terminal degree in the field or director-level roles in schools, agencies, and similar organizations.† The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics—that relentless torrent of American jobs data—lists options like preschool and childcare center directors, instructional coordinators, training and development specialists and managers, and school and career counselors. Then there’s the usual stuff, like kindergarten and elementary school teachers and preschool teachers. Of those, the BLS finds training and development specialists and school and career counselors have the best growth rate in the coming decade. Both surpass the national average of 5% growth for all occupations, adding nearly 30,000 positions each through 2028. Master’s in Early Childhood Education Salary Potential No one said a career in education is a fast track to riches beyond your wildest dreams, but it can offer a good living, stability, and great benefits. The BLS data runs the gamut. Preschool and childcare center directors make a median salary of $47,940, an average of $53,990, with the top 10% earning more than $83,470. Instructional coordinators earn a median of $64,450, an average of $67,490, and the top 10% more than $102,200. Training and development specialists earn a median of $60,870, an average of $65,120, with the top 10% earning $102,740. Their superiors, training and development managers, have a median salary of $111,340, an average of $121,730, and the top 10% rake in $192,970. School and career counselors have a median of $56,310, an average of $60,160, and the top 10% top out at $94,690. Salary information for teachers is trickier, because it doesn’t factor in experience or advanced degrees, so take these numbers with some grains of salt. Per the BLS, preschool teachers earn a median of $29,780, an average of $34,410, and the top 10% brings in more than $55,350. Kindergarten teachers have a median of $55,470, average of $58,370, and top out at $86,310. Elementary school teachers? A median of $58,230, $62,200 average, and the top earners bring in $95,270. A doctorate naturally increases the number of senior-level positions a person could pursue, though certificates in other areas of education (ESOL, special education, etc.) can also boost salary and career opportunities with less schooling. What are the Best Early Childhood Education Degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year   30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Clemson UniversityLocationClemson, South CarolinaAverage Net Price$19,508More Information Geared toward working PK-12 instructors, Clemson’s Master of Education in teaching and learning doesn’t mess around. People interested in the program need to work in â€Å"formal educational settings† and have consistent access to a classroom of students, because several of the courses in the curriculum have a field component. Applicants also need transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores, a rà ©sumà ©, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The 30-hour program offers three specializations: STEAM (using science, tech, engineering, arts, and mathematics to solve real-world problem scenarios), experiential learning (which supports kids â€Å"in making connections between prior knowledge, new learning explorations, and social constructs†), and instructional coaching (using evidence-based practices to assist teachers in improving student learning). Core coursework accounts for 18 credit hours, with specialization courses provide the remaining 12 credits. Students complete the degree in 18 months, doing one course at a time in seven and a half week increments (five in the summer). All coursework is completed through Canvas, a popular online learning platform. At $19,508, Clemson is pricier than the average of our list, but it also took the No. 1 spot in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs.