early childhood education degree student with small child

Online Early Childhood Education Degree

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)

Get your degree at one of the nation's best online Early Childhood Education programs. 100% of our graduates are employed or pursuing graduate degrees.

The Early Childhood Education classes, field experiences and student teaching at UND will transform you. You'll become an observer, learner and independent decision-maker with an effective teaching style for children.

Program type:
Major
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
125-128

Why choose UND’s online Early Childhood Education degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

The education of young children, birth through grade 3, directly impacts their development and helps to shape the adults they become. An Early Childhood Education degree centers on children in the context of family, culture and community. You'll explore developmentally appropriate practices, emergent curriculum, descriptive assessment, and problem-solving approaches to resolving conflict and choices for children. Early childhood courses focus on:

  • Building practical skills to use in the classroom.
  • Engaging in small group work.
  • Extensive time working with highly experienced faculty.
  • Classroom experiences model field tested practices and engage students in evidence-based learning techniques.

Accredited Online Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education

UND's Early Childhood Education degree is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Accelerated Online Early Childhood Education Program

The online accelerated degree programs for the M.S. or M.Ed. in Special Education allows you to complete both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace. Undergraduates with 60 credits or those currently in an education degree program are eligible for consideration for the accelerated degree program.

Affordable and 100% Online Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

  • Enroll in early childhood education courses prior to admission to the program.

  • Have direct involvement with children in more than 60% of your courses.

  • Join the Future Educators of UND student organization (FEUND).

  • Learn in a flexible environment. Early childhood education coursework is offered online to support students working in the field.

  • Enjoy small class sizes. All classes are capped at 25 students, meaning you'll receive individual attention.

  • Be part of the ND Essential Skills Network. You’ll share experiences, celebrate successes, and problem-solve perceived barriers related to social emotional learning.

Career Opportunities with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

64k

Median annual salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

107k

Number of projected job openings each year for kindergarten and elementary school teachers through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

It's essential to research the specific licensure requirements in the state or country where you intend to teach, as each region may have its own set of criteria, examinations, and application procedures for teacher licensure.

You'll be eligible for licensure to teach in North Dakota after:

  1. Completing a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with an overall grade point average of at least 2.75.
  2. Passing state licensure exams.
  3. Meeting the state's legal requirements with a satisfactory background check.

If seeking a license in North Dakota, you should apply to the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board prior to graduation.

If you're interested in a teacher license from states other than North Dakota, contact the Advising Office for the College of Education & Human Development to determine if this degree meets the criteria for licensure in your state.

Skills with an Early Childhood Education Degree

An Early Childhood Education degree gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

  • Curriculum Development: Design engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children. From crafting thematic units to incorporating play-based learning activities, you'll master the art of creating dynamic educational frameworks that stimulate curiosity and ignite a love for learning.
  • Lesson Planning: Whether it's structuring engaging activities to promote literacy skills or designing hands-on experiments to cultivate scientific inquiry, you'll acquire the expertise needed to orchestrate meaningful lesson plans that foster growth and discovery.
  • Child Development: Graduate with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, emotional, and cognitive processes that underpin early childhood development.

You'll graduate with limitless career opportunities and a solid foundation for working with children ranging in age from 0-8 years old. Students with an early childhood education degree can teach and be a leader in:

  • Public schools (PreK and kindergarten through third grade)
  • Early Head Start
  • Child care and education centers
  • Administration or director

Courses You’ll Take

T&L 313. Language Development and Emerging Literacy. 3 Credits.

This course examines both typical and atypical development of language and thought in children ages birth-8. Children's emergent literacy is studied within the context of language development.There will be a minimum of eight hours of field experience. Prerequisite: Admission to the Teacher Education program. F.

T&L 336. Social and Emotional Development and Guidance of Children. 3 Credits.

This course examines both typical and atypical social and emotional development in children ages 0-8 as a basis for understanding and working with children in educational settings. The course will also focus on child guidance and behavior issues affecting classroom climate. There will be a minimum of 6 hours field experience. F.

T&L 338. Home, School and Community Relations. 3 Credits.

The course is an exploration of home school relations. The content will include history, parental involvement in schools, parent-teacher conferences, home visits, parent programs, and resources for parents. S.

T&L 333. Methods and Materials: Pre-Kindergarten. 3 Credits.

Exploration of curriculum, methods and materials for use in pre-kindergarten educational settings. Includes selection of materials, creative environments, and planning for the individual needs of children within a group setting. Prerequisite: T&L 310 and admission to the Teacher Education program. Corequisite: T&L 486. F,SS.

T&L 311. Observing and Assessing Children. 3 Credits.

This course acquaints the student with a variety of ways of observing, recording, and analyzing the behavior and development of children. Assessment of children will be analyzed by looking at a variety of assessment activities that can be done with children. There will be a minimum of six hours of field experience. Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education Program and T&L 310. S.

T&L 252. Child Development. 3 Credits.

Study of the growth and developmental process through adolescence. A basis for understanding basic needs of the normal child and means of meeting them in the child's home and community environment. F,S.

One of the Best Online Early Childhood Education Bachelor's Programs

#10 Intelligent
#20 College Values Online

UND's online Early Childhood Education B.S.Ed. program is well regarded for it's educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Why UND Online?

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

UND's Early Childhood Education degree is fully online. You never have to come to campus.

How will I take online classes in the Early Childhood Education bachelor's degree program?

Online courses are offered in both asynchronous and synchronous formats depending on the class and instructor.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

What can I expect in UND's online Early Childhood Education degree?

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Yes, there is a constant demand for early childhood education teachers, with approximately 109,000 annual openings projected for kindergarten and elementary school teachers over the decade.

With a degree in Early Childhood Education, you can embark on several rewarding career paths. Opportunities include teaching at the preschool to elementary levels, directing educational programs, developing curriculum or managing childcare centers.

Yes, an Early Childhood Education degree can lead to teacher licensure. However, it's essential to research the specific licensure requirements in the state or country where you intend to teach, as each region may have its own set of criteria, examinations and application procedures for teacher licensure.

Absolutely. UND's online Early Childhood Education program is designed to be completed within a four-year timeframe. However, we do have students that take classes on a part-time basis.

Holding an Early Childhood Education degree qualifies you to teach at several foundational grade levels, predominantly including preschool, kindergarten and the initial years of elementary school.

While both degrees involve teaching young learners, Early Childhood Education specifically emphasizes the developmental needs of children from birth to age eight. Elementary Education has a broader focus, covering a wider age range, typically up to grade six.

Yes, an early Early Childhood Education degree includes hands-on experiences in classroom settings or the field, allowing students to apply field-tested practices and engage in evidence-based learning techniques.

Yes, UND's Early Childhood Education degree is entirely online, allowing students to complete the program without the need to come to campus. However, students must complete a variety of field experiences where they live as well as a required ten weeks of Early Childhood Education student teaching.

Holding an Early Childhood Education degree qualifies you to teach at several foundational grade levels, predominantly including preschool, kindergarten and the initial years of elementary school.

A Day in the Life

Spend a day in the life of Madison as she pursues her degree through UND's online Early Childhood Education program.

 

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