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An Online Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree is the most common path into lead teaching, licensure-track, and center-leadership roles in early childhood settings. Most programs build broad general education alongside a major core focused on child development and early instructional practice, then add electives or a concentration based on your goals.
BA stands for Bachelor of Arts and BS stands for Bachelor of Science; some schools award a BA in Early Childhood Education while others award a BS, and some offer the major as part of a broader elementary education degree. Compare curriculum and licensure alignment across schools rather than assuming the degree title alone tells you what you need to know.
Figures shown are medians from the cited public data sources (such as the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) and reflect previously reported outcomes. They are estimates, not a guarantee of future earnings, debt, cost, or results. Individual outcomes vary by program, institution, location, enrollment status, and personal circumstances.
It is an undergraduate degree that prepares students to teach and support the development of children from infancy through roughly age eight, combining general education with a major core in child development and instructional methods.
It can. Many bachelor’s programs are designed as licensure-track programs that pair coursework with supervised student teaching, meeting requirements for a state’s early-childhood or early-elementary teaching license. Confirm licensure alignment with your target state before enrolling, since requirements vary.
Most programs include general education, a major core in child development and early instruction, electives or a concentration, and – for licensure-track programs – a supervised student-teaching placement.
Coursework typically includes child development, early literacy and numeracy methods, curriculum design for young learners, classroom management, and family engagement.
Requirements vary by school and student type, but commonly include a high school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, and – for licensure-track admission – a background check or clearance.
Transfer credits, including credit from an associate degree or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, can reduce how many courses you need, but policies vary by institution.
For a full map of this program area, start here: Early Childhood Education Program Guide
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher EducationIPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard
Most online bachelor’s programs in early childhood education follow a similar structure:
Online formats are often asynchronous for coursework, but many still include weekly deadlines, discussion participation, and in-person or hybrid field placement requirements. To compare how online formats differ, see: How Online Early Childhood Education Degrees Work
If you are trying to move faster, compare this degree level to accelerated pacing: Accelerated Early Childhood Education Programs
| Course Topic | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Child Growth and Development | Cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development from birth through age eight |
| Early Literacy and Numeracy | Strategies for building foundational reading and math skills in young children |
| Curriculum and Instructional Design | Planning developmentally appropriate lessons and play-based learning experiences |
| Classroom and Behavior Management | Creating safe, engaging learning environments and guiding young children’s behavior |
| Family and Community Engagement | Building partnerships with families and connecting to community resources |
| Assessment of Young Learners | Observation-based and formative assessment methods appropriate for early childhood |
| Diversity and Inclusion in Early Childhood | Supporting children with varied backgrounds, abilities, and learning needs |
Program outcomes vary, but many curricula emphasize:
Admissions requirements vary by school and student type. Some programs admit first-time college students; others focus on transfer students or working childcare professionals returning for a degree.
Common requirements include:
Transfer credits, including credit from an associate degree or professional childcare credentials, can reduce how many courses you need, but rules vary by institution.
Before you enroll, confirm:
For cost-saving strategies around transfer credit, see: Affordable Early Childhood Education Programs
Accreditation is a baseline quality indicator. Verify that the institution holds recognized accreditation, then compare how the program is structured, supported, and delivered online.
| Level | Typical Credits | 1yr Median Earnings | 5yr Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | 60 | $24,507 | $33,878 | $12,695 |
| Bachelor’s | 120 | $42,026 | $47,588 | $23,352 |
| Master’s | 36-60 | $56,255 | $63,222 | $29,724 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, latest academic year, education-program (CIP) grouping.
If you are comparing degree levels, these pages can help:
For a value and fit discussion, see: Is an Early Childhood Education Degree Worth It
Data verified: July 30, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
Back to Online Early Childhood Education Degrees Guide: Levels and Careers
