Master’s in Early Childhood Education (MEd) Online
Master’s in Early Childhood Education (MEd) Online
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Earn your graduate degree from an accredited institution committed to academic excellence. Institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, GCU offers a high-quality education that meets rigorous standards. This Master's in Early Childhood Education is an accredited program, which leads to licensure, and is fully accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, ensuring quality and a commitment to professional growth. Join a supportive community dedicated to helping you reach your educational and career goals.
This degree program can offer numerous benefits for aspiring educators in this field. This program can help you emerge with a comprehensive understanding of early childhood education and help equip you with the knowledge and skills for this career.
If you enroll in this program, you can attend classes online for maximum flexibility. Working professionals hoping to earn a degree to start a new career in education or those looking for work and home-life balance may find what they need in an online learning format. Those pursuing their degree via our online modality will be required to complete their practicum/field experiences in person.
Online courses offer:
Our graduate degree program teaches practical techniques through the required practicum/field experiences throughout the program. Additionally, you will need to complete a six-week practicum course in a birth through pre-k setting and a 15-week experience in kindergarten through third grade. Knowledgeable GCU faculty are available to help ensure you have the skills and tools necessary for the classroom.
Upon completion of this early childhood master’s online program, you may work toward pursuing your teacher licensure. To qualify for a teaching certification, graduates may need to pass state certification exams in addition to pursuing an institutional recommendation from GCU.
As you choose the right degree program for you, it is important to be aware of different certification requirements specific to the state in which you plan to teach or lead. If seeking licensure or certification, be sure to review your state department of education’s licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint and background clearance may be required.
Grand Canyon University assists students pursuing a master’s degree by teaching valuable concepts and techniques for educating the youngest learners. If you wish to work with children from birth through third grade, this Master of Education in Early Childhood Education degree from the College of Education at GCU may be right for you. This program is also appropriate for professionals who are looking for a second career or a career change.
From daycare centers to elementary schools, graduates with this master’s degree may find work in diverse environments where they can lead the learning experiences of children from infancy to eight years old.
If you already hold your teaching license, visit the non-licensure version of this program. Candidates may be interested in this program if they do not need a license for specific positions in daycares, private schools or preschools. This will depend on the specific requirements of the facility.
Our MEd in Early Childhood Education provides the tools to create engaging learning experiences. Take the first step toward your degree today.
Students will be taught the skills needed to work with diverse students as future daycare directors, preschool teachers and early childhood teachers and specialists or teaching assistants.
Educational institutions are encountering growing pressures to educate students for swift economic, environmental and social transformations, including careers that are yet to materialize, technologies that are yet to be invented and unforeseen social challenges that may arise.1
Median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers as of May 2023.2
Throughout our program, you will survey current early childhood teaching practices and explore where those ideas and methods support the education of students from birth through third grade.
The coursework taught throughout this master’s in early childhood education online program can help prepare you with an understanding of brain development, social and emotional growth and academic achievement in young learners.
Topics of study in this degree program include:
Instruction for early learners
Differentiation strategies for exceptional learners
English immersion using structured methods
Evaluation and assessment skills
Curriculum development
Teaching methods across all content areas
When choosing to pursue an advanced degree, we know there is a lot to consider. Therefore, we’ve prepared a few of the most frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten and elementary school teachers have a median annual wage of $63,670 as of May 2023.2
The time it takes to earn an MEd can vary depending on factors such as program structure, the number of classes you’re taking, individual circumstances and whether you bring in transfer credits. GCU is a transfer-friendly school. If you have credits from previous coursework or experience, you may be able to transfer them in, which can potentially speed up your completion time. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor to better understand how long it will take to earn your master’s in early childhood education degree.
According to the BLS, preschool and kindergarten teachers reported 43% higher wage premiums for master’s degree holders than for bachelor’s degree holders.3 The decision about whether to pursue higher education differs for everyone. To help you determine what path is right for you and whether earning your graduate degree is worth it, research the following to help you decide:
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 OECD (n.d.). The Future of Education and Skills — Education 2030. Retrieved on May 18, 2023.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, as of May 2023, retrieved on July 11, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (n.d.). Should I Get a Master’s Degree? Career Outlook. Retrieved on May 16, 2023.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
