Program Overview

Program Overview

The Online Bachelor of Arts in Education in Educational Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote school readiness and support lifelong learning for children from birth to age 5. This program is ideal for newcomers to education, volunteers, and experienced professionals working in early childhood settings.

Program Details

• The program consists of 40 classes, each lasting 7.5 weeks, and requires a total of 120 credit hours to complete.
• The curriculum includes in-person, practical experiences that allow students to apply what they learn in real early childhood education settings.
• Students can complete these requirements at their current workplace, a volunteer site, or another approved location with a Department of Human Services (DHS) license.

Course Curriculum

The program covers various aspects of early child development, education, and care. Some of the courses include:

• CDE 430: Infant and Toddler Development in the Family
• ECD 220: Introduction to Nutrition, Health and Safety
• ECD 310: Applied Early Child Development
• ECD 322: Cognition and General Knowledge: Science, Math, Logic and Reasoning
• ECD 325: Supporting Dual Language Learners
• ECD 476: Intentional Teaching
• ECD 327: Becoming a Teacher Leader
• ECS 312: Social and Emotional Development of the Young Child

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can pursue meaningful roles in the child development field, including:

• Education Professor
• Kindergarten Teacher
• Preschool Teacher
• Potential work settings include preschools, Head Start programs, childcare centers, and child development organizations.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must:

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have completed at least 14 of the required courses, including:
  • Four years of math
  • Four years of English (non-ESL/ELL courses)
  • Three years of lab sciences
  • Two years of social sciences
  • Two years of the same second language
  • One year of fine arts or career and technical education
• Meet at least one of the following:
  • Top 25% in their high school graduating class
  • 3.00 GPA in competency courses
  • ACT score of 22 for Arizona residents (24 nonresidents) or SAT Reasoning score of 1120 for Arizona residents (1180 nonresidents)

Tuition and Fees

The tuition calculator can be used to estimate full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Most students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Faculty and Research

The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines, including cognitive science, psychology, and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices, and effects of education policy. The faculty is committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments, ensuring that teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.

Accreditation and Rankings

Arizona State University has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report, including:

• #1 best online master’s in educational administration programs
• #1 best online master’s in curriculum and instruction programs
• #1 best online master’s in educational/instructional media programs
• #3 best online master’s in special education programs

Additional Information

• The program does not lead to teacher certification but provides a strong foundation for graduate study.
• Students can choose ASU’s online master’s degree in early childhood education to broaden their age specialization or pursue the teacher certification graduate certificate.
• The program can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program, allowing students to earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing their undergraduate degree.