Make a difference in young lives.
Discover ways to apply your bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and develop the skills, knowledge and disposition you need to facilitate positive growth and development among young children.
Have questions about enrollment, degree programs, or financial aid?
Early Childhood Education Degree Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education prepares you to provide high-quality, inclusive care and education to children up to the age of 8. This online early childhood education degree program includes fieldwork and two practicums that let you demonstrate your teaching competencies under guided supervision.
As a student, you will:
- Learn skills to complement your previous early childhood educational training and fieldwork.
- Demonstrate your mastery and reflect on the knowledge, skills and dispositions you have learned.
- Study lower division coursework which provides a foundation for upper division content and experiences, encapsulating current thinking and research.
Next Session
Summer I (Apr 28, 2025)
Estimated Tuition
$500/Credit
Help me estimate my costWays to Learn
Online
Program Benefits that Benefit You.
We've got your back. We offer support from Enrollment Coaches, One-Stop Specialists and Academic Advisors, expert Faculty, Writing tutors, Math tutors and more.
AAffordable, asynchronous classes that fit your work schedule, offered 100% online so you can learn while you earn.
UMass Global — 65-year academic legacy of educating adult students; 15 years pioneering online education.
Imagine Your Future In Early Childhood Education
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Data source: Lightcast™ 2022 www.lightcast.io
The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.
1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program
My coursework in the Early Childhood Education program provided me with vast knowledge, such as intentionally including children with different abilities, supporting dual language learners, using data to make informed decisions for best practices, and much more. The more knowledge I gained from my courses, my professors, my classmates, and my experiences, the more I began to see myself as a knowledgeable, competent professional who has much to contribute to the ever-evolving field of early childhood education.
MAE, Leadership in Early Childhood Education, PBIS Support Specialist, Stanislaus County Office of Education
One word that comes to mind in thinking about my educational journey at UMass Global is 'self reflective'. No matter what course I took, self-reflection was always included as an aspect of each course. I was provided opportunities to consistently reflect on myself, my values, my beliefs, my education, my practices and the field of early childhood education as a whole.
MAE, Leadership in Early Childhood Education, PBIS Support Specialist, Stanislaus County Office of Education
Start Your Student Journey in 5 Simple Steps.
We can't wait to have you join our community of University of Massachusetts Global students! However, before that exciting first day of class, there are a few important steps to our enrollment process. But don't worry; we have a dedicated team of people who help working adults begin their degree completion journeys, and they look forward to helping you, too.
Get started today…
- Speak with an Enrollment Coach — Call or fill out a request for information form.
- Complete your application, it’s free and easy! — Click here to apply!
- Receive your acceptance letter — Congratulations 🎉 !
- Get financially cleared — Make an appointment with our helpful OneStop Specialists.
- Enroll in classes — Work with an assigned Academic Advisor to come up with a schedule that works for you.
University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our early childhood education programs? Find answers to common questions about degree tracks, career paths, and the lasting impact of facilitating positive growth and development among young children.
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Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal early learning programs, care, and practices that support young children's development from birth to age eight. ECE is a critical period in a children’s development as the brain experiences rapid growth enabling the acquisition of foundational skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will shape their lifelong learning, health, and well-being.
Early childhood education encompasses a range of settings, including nurseries, preschools, kindergartens, and early elementary grades. It can be offered as a full-day, part-day, home-based program, or co-op setting. ECE programs aim to support children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
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During the early childhood education years, the brain makes millions of synapses every second that allow us to move, think, communicate and comprehend our environments. Children in ECE programs are less likely to repeat a grade, more prepared for school and more likely to earn more in the workforce.
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The length of time it takes to become a qualified early childhood education teacher can vary depending on several factors, such as the level of education required for the position, the program's structure and format, and the individual's prior education and experience. Depending on the program's design and intensity, a certificate or diploma can take a few months to a year to complete. Assuming full-time enrollment, an associate degree program typically takes two years to complete. A bachelor’s degree program typically takes four years to complete. A graduate degree program, such as a master’s, can take up to two years, and a doctoral program can take one to four years or more to complete, depending on the program’s structure and intensity.
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An early childhood education degree can prepare you for various careers working with young children in different capacities. One of the most common paths is becoming a preschool teacher in a typical program serving birth to five-year-olds. You could also pursue a career as an elementary or special education teacher. Other potential job opportunities include becoming a family childcare provider, a child development specialist, a curriculum developer, an adjunct instructor, a program director, a regional manager, a parent educator, or an educational consultant. With an early childhood education degree, you will have the skills, knowledge, and disposition to work with young children in diverse settings, helping them learn and grow during their formative years.