By TED Staff
November 2021
Whether you are thinking about entering the teaching profession, or you have been teaching for years and looking to step up in the ranks, you may be considering a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Not only is a master’s degree required for some positions in schools and school districts, but those with a master’s tend to earn more money annually.
Of course, earning an entire advanced degree takes commitment, time, and money. Fortunately, more and more quality universities are offering early education master’s degrees online and at affordable tuition rates. These online degrees make it possible for those with full-time careers and/or families to better themselves through education without sacrificing their current lives or breaking the bank.
To help you with your decision, Top Education Degrees has found the 15 most affordable online master’s degrees in early chldhood education. We began by compiling a list of any accredited university offering just such a degree online, then narrowed them down to just the 15 most affordable. Though all tuition numbers mentioned below are accurate as of November 2021, we recommend double checking each program’s website for the most up-to-date information.
#15. East Tennessee State University
Online Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education w/ a concentration in Master Teacher
Johnson City, Tennessee
Estimated Program Cost: $21,636 (Tennessee residents), $27,036 (out-of-state)
East Tennessee State University has an online, 36-credit hour M.A. in Early Childhood, Master Teacher Concentration degree. It is a non-licensure program that is ideal for already-licensed teachers who are seeking a career in early childhood settings aside from public education. Admissions asks for transcripts of your undergraduate degree showing a minimum 2.5 GPA, a personal essay, and a $55 application fee. Coursework in East Tennessee State University’s MA Early Childhood, Master Teacher Concentration online degree includes Family and Community Relations, Advanced Child Development, Designing EC Environments, History and Philosophy of ECE, and Practicum in ECE.
#14. University of Dayton
Online Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy
Dayton, Ohio
Estimated Program Cost: $21,000
The University of Dayton has Roman Catholic, Marianist roots and states on the school’s website that it is “dedicated to the common good and passionately striving toward a better tomorrow.” Their Master of Science in Education Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy online degree follows that noble ideal. The 30 credit hour program is non-licensing but is designed for experienced EC professionals, with courses such as Becoming a Master Educator and EC Program and Personnel Management. Application requirements for the University of Dayton’s MS in Education Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy online include GRE/GMAT scores, personal statement, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and no application fee.
#13. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Estimated Program Cost: $18,576 (Pennsylvania residents), $27,864 (out-of-state)
The master of education in Early Childhood Education online degree featured at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a two-track program: Accomplished Teachers Track and Program Administrators Track. The fully online, cohort model has synchronous and asynchronous formats and begins only in the spring. Sample courses include Families, Communities, and Education in a Multicultural Society, Advocating for Young Children and Families, and Small Business Management in ECE. Application to West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s online MEd in Early Childhood Education degree program requires transcripts showing a 2.75 minimum GPA, two professional recommendations, a goal statement, a resume, and a $50 fee.
#12. University of North Dakota
Online Master of Science in Early Childhood Education
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Estimated Program Cost: $18,496
The University of North Dakota has three distinct Early Childhood Education master of education degrees, all online: the MS in ECE is a non-licensing, two-plus year, 32-hour program; the Accelerated MS Ed. ECE and the Accelerated M.Ed. in Special Education both combine major and minor, bachelor and master’s degrees, are 84 credit hour programs, and take 3 years to complete. Coursework for the University of North Dakota’s online Early Childhood Education MS or MEd includes Language Development and Emerging Literacy and Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education. To apply, submit transcripts, goals statement, three letters of recommendation, and the $35 fee.
#11. Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Estimated Program Cost: $17,100
The Northwestern State University of Louisiana has created the only master of education in Early Childhood Education in the state of Louisiana. The program’s online courses include the following: Positive Relationship with Children, Families, and Communities; Trends and Issues in Contemporary Early Childhood/Primary Programs; Curriculum and Spaces for Infants and Toddlers; Educational Research and Evaluation; and practicum experience. To apply to Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s online MEd in Early Childhood Education program, you must submit a copy of your teaching license, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a $20 fee.
#10. Ball State University
Online Master of Arts in Special Education
Muncie, Indiana
Estimated Program Cost: $16,980 (Indiana residents), $23,430 (out-of-state)
Ball State University has a 30 credit hour, online MA in Special Education that does not provide an initial teaching license, but the program has several areas of ECE focus leading to graduate certificates: Applied Behavioral Analysis; Autism; Emotional and Behavioral Disorders; and Multi-tier System of Supports and Responses to Intervention. Five areas of teaching are covered in the program’s licensing options. Coursework can include classes taken for a departmental graduate certificate or an add-on teaching license. Those applying to Ball State University for the online MA in Special Education should submit transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and a $60 application fee.
#9. Clemson University
Online Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
Clemson, South Carolina
Estimated Program Cost: $16,350
Clemson University’s Master of Education – Teaching and Learning degree is a 100% online, cohort program for current PK – 12 educators. Completion of the 10-course curriculum takes 18 months and offers three specializations: STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics or applied mathematics); Experiential Learning for EC; or Instructional Teaching. Coursework includes Curriculum/Contemporary Issues in Assessment and Cultural Diversity in Education. To apply to Clemson University’s online M. Ed. – Teaching and Learning degree program, submit transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 GPA, resume, personal statement, GRE scores, and an $80 application fee.
#8. Texas A&M University at Commerce
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Commerce, Texas
Estimated Program Cost: $14,676 (Texas residents), $29,364 (out-of-state)
Texas A&M University at Commerce offers a 100% online M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Of the 36 hours needed for graduation, 18 are in the student’s major, and 18 are in electives. Texas A&M University at Commerce calls for the following submissions for their online M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education: transcripts, an essay, GRE/GMAT scores, and a $35 application fee. Courses may include Literacy Development in the Early Years and Creative Expression in the Arts.
#7. University of Missouri
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Columbia, Missouri
Estimated Program Cost: $14,595
Applicants to the University of Missouri’s Early Childhood Education online M.Ed. program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in education or a related field and have at least two years of teaching experience. A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours is also required, as well as transcripts, resume, two letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a $65 fee. The University of Missouri’s 100% online, 30 credit hour Early Childhood Education M.Ed. degree devotes 15 hours to ECE core courses, 9 hours to the LTC curriculum (Learning and Teaching), and 6 hours to electives.
#6. University of West Alabama
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Development
Livingston, Alabama
Estimated Program Cost: $14,586
The University of West Alabama has a 34-credit hour Master of Education Early Childhood Development online degree that is a non-licensure program designed for three kinds of educators: those seeking a master’s level education; those seeking to enhance their career in early childhood; and those who do not need master’s level certification in current or future positions. Admissions calls for undergraduate transcripts with a 2.75 GPA and evidence of fingerprint clearance. The University of West Alabama Master of Education Early Childhood Development online degree program allots 19 credit hours to professional courses and 15 hours to teaching field courses.
#5. University of Colorado, Denver
Online Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Denver, Colorado
Estimated Program Cost: $13,980
As the largest graduate school of education in Colorado, the University of Colorado Denver has an online Master of Arts Early Childhood Education degree that is a 30-42 credit hour program. All classes are fully online, but students must convene in Denver in June each year for a 3-5 day seminar to meet the faculty and other students and to attend student advising sessions. Admissions requires a resume, written statement, copy of teaching license (if applicable), three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a $50 fee. Coursework in the University of Colorado Denver’s online MA ECE includes Child Growth and Development and Approaches to Young Children’s Learning.
#4. University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood Education in Special Education
Lincoln, Nebraska
Estimated Program Cost: $12,852 (Nebraska residents), $27,000 (out-of-state)
The online M.Ed in special education degree from the University of Nebraska Lincoln has three specializations for early childhood education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (pre-12); Early Childhood Special Education (birth to age 5); and Visual Impairments (pre-12 with summer on-site participation required). All programs are 36 credit hours, and all master’s degree students must complete a comprehensive written and/or oral examination within 24 months prior to the date of graduation. To apply to the University of Nebraska Lincoln online M.Ed. in Special Education program, submit undergraduate transcripts, a copy of a teaching certificate, and a $50 application fee. A Master of Science degree is also offered online.
#3. University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Online Master of Education in Birth-Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development
Greensboro, North Carolina
Estimated Program Cost: $12,096 (North Carolina residents), $22,536 (out-of-state)
The Master of Education in Birth – Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development online degree offered by the University of North Carolina Greensboro has two concentrations: EC Leadership and Program Administration; and EC Leadership and Advanced Teaching. The University of North Carolina Greensboro designed their 37 credit hour M.Ed. in Birth – Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development online for students with licensure but seeking education in early childhood leadership and an advanced teaching license, as well as for those who work with EC educators to be leaders in their fields. Admissions requires a professional statement, resume, 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and a $65 fee.
#2. Concordia University, Saint Paul
Online Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Estimated Program Cost: $11,850
Concordia University-Saint Paul has established a 33 credit hour Master of Arts in Education Early Childhood Education 100% online degree that is a non-licensure program. The admission process calls for you to be employed or regularly volunteering in an area of education with children. No application fee or GRE/GMAT scores are required, but you must submit transcripts with a 2.0 minimum GPA and a personal essay. Coursework in Concordia University Saint Paul’s online MA in education ECE degree includes Ethics for Educators, Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education, The Diverse Classroom, and Legal and Legislative Issues.
#1. Northwestern College
Online Master of Education in Early Childhood
Orange City, Iowa
Estimated Program Cost: $11,220
Northwestern College has an online Master of Education in Early Childhood that “builds on what you already know to become a better teacher.” The program is composed of eight-week courses that students can complete at their own pace. Most students are able to work part-time, yet complete the degree in less than two years. Coursework for Northwestern College’s online M.Ed. in Early Childhood includes Teaching and Learning with Technology, Teaching Children with Diverse Needs, and Strategies for Early Literacy Development.
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