Master’s in Early Childhood Education Degree (Non-Licensure)
journey today.
Shaping The Future of Young Learners
Explore the academic and development needs of children from birth to eight years old in the Master of Education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education (non-licensure) program. During the early childhood years, the role of an early childhood educator can have a major impact on a child’s life. When children are nurtured with a positive, supportive environment and the right academic guidance, they are better able to meet developmental targets and develop skills they will need throughout their lives.1
Offered by the College of Education at Grand Canyon University, this MEd in Early Childhood Education (ECE) can provide an in-depth review of literacy intervention, typical and atypical child development and instructional methodologies across disciplines. You will examine concepts that can inspire and enrich your teaching practices in early learning environments.
Pursue Your MEd in Early Childhood Education From GCU
The early years in a child’s life are critical for brain development and children in nurturing, development-focused environments tend to exhibit better future outcomes in learning, behavior and health.1,2 As an aspiring early childhood educator, you can make a difference in the lives of children within your community by empowering them with the support they need.
GCU’s early childhood education master’s programs are designed to equip education professionals with a framework of pedagogical knowledge and skills to support these critical years in a child’s life. In convenient online classes, this master’s in early childhood education can provide a comprehensive survey of child development, behaviors, instructional planning and more. At GCU, our students are immersed within curriculum built from the Christian worldview, which emphasizes ethical decision-making and servant leadership.
You can earn your early childhood education master’s degree online using our interactive digital learning platform. As an online student, you will have access to the same quality of instruction delivered by instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields. Work through coursework from virtually anywhere and complete practicum/field experience hours at a location near you.3
Licensure vs. Non-Licensure
A teacher’s license or certification is not a requirement to enroll in this master’s degree program. However, this MEd does not lead to initial teacher licensure, making it an appropriate program choice for students who already have their teaching license or for professionals who are looking to fulfill state or department requirements for their particular role within education. For those looking to earn their initial teaching license, our MEd in Early Childhood Education licensure program may be a better option. This degree program teaches important skills for early childhood educators, ranging from instructional planning to classroom management to learning environment optimization.
What To Expect in Early Childhood Education Courses
With an emphasis on evidence-based methodologies and the use of data analysis for instructional decision-making, your coursework will consist of hands-on learning opportunities.
In this early childhood education master’s program, you will explore a comprehensive range of content areas such as:
Instruction methods for exceptional learners and non-English speakers
Classroom engagement and management techniques
Developmental milestones and methods of evaluation
Curriculum development for language arts, math, science, health, social studies and the arts
Patterns of learning across the cognitive, linguistic, physical, social and emotional areas
Cultural awareness and competencies, with a look at support for various family types
Curriculum and Skills in the Master’s in ECE Program
The Master’s in Early Childhood Education program offers a research-based curriculum designed to deepen your understanding of child development and early interventions for children from birth through third grade. Under the guidance of knowledgeable faculty, you’ll refine your instructional methods through evidence-based strategies and hands-on learning experiences.
Throughout the program, you’ll engage in fieldwork across diverse classroom settings, gaining practical experience with children of varying developmental stages and abilities. These immersive opportunities support your exploration of activity planning and assessment techniques.
In addition to foundational knowledge, the program can equip you with a broad set of educational skills essential for effective teaching and learning, including:
By combining academic rigor with practical application, this program prepares you to become a thoughtful, skilled educator capable of making an impact in early childhood education.
Career Paths for MEd in Early Childhood Education Graduates
As an early childhood education professional, you may hold the power to sculpt the potential of upcoming generations, offering them the guidance and resources for their flourishing.
Pursue work across a variety of settings, including:4
Daycare centers
Early childhood education centers
Preschools
Elementary schools
Median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers in May 20245
Number of College of Education online educational academic programs, emphases and certificates (as of June 2024)
AAQEP-Accredited Master of Education Degrees
GCU prioritizes the quality of our education and has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1968. GCU is a member of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. As an institutionally accredited university, our instructors are knowledgeable in their fields and committed to supporting our students. Visit GCU’s education accreditation page to view our programs that have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s natural to have some questions as you reflect upon your intended career path and degree program options. The following frequently asked questions and answers may address any concerns you may have.
Earning a master’s in early childhood education can be a valuable step for those looking to deepen their expertise in the field of early learning. This graduate degree can provide a strong foundation in child development, instructional planning and evidence-based teaching practices.
Furthering your qualifications may offer several benefits, including a deeper understanding of how to support diverse learning needs and expanded knowledge of the best practices in pedagogy, assessment and classroom management.
With this degree, you can pursue a variety of roles that allow you to support and shape the learning experiences of children. With a foundation of pedagogical competencies, you may be prepared to pursue careers such as:
Yes, an early childhood education degree can prepare you for working as an elementary school teacher, particularly in early grade levels such as kindergarten through third grade. In addition to teaching strategies, you’ll gain experience through fieldwork and hands-on learning opportunities that can prepare you for elementary education roles.
The difficulty of an early childhood degree can vary depending on your background, learning style and time management skills. Success in this program depends on your ability to apply theory to practice, communicate effectively and manage classroom needs. Passion for working with young children and a commitment to learning are key to completing this program.
Take your teaching to the next level by strengthening your skills and expanding your impact in education. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about GCU’s early childhood education master’s degree online.
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).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, Feb. 24). Early Brain Development and Health. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, July 28). CDC Grand Rounds: Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood. Retrieved Oct. 23, 2023.
Excluding observational and practice-based experiences, and student teaching.
- Learn.org. (n.d.). Master’s in Early Childhood Education: Salary and Career Facts. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, as of May 2024, retrieved Aug. 5, 2025. 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.
- Teach.com. (n.d.). Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master in Education. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.
- Indeed. (2023, Aug. 16). Early Childhood Educator Skills: Definition and Examples. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.
- PraxisExam.org. (n.d.). The Best Teaching Strategies for Early Childhood Educators. Retrieved Oct. 19, 2023.