B.S./B.A. in Early Childhood Education
Support, Educate and Advocate for Young Children With a Multiple-Award-Winning Degree
Best Education Bachelor’s Online
100% Online
Two Practica/ECE experiences
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Complete the form to learn more about this program.
- Duration 4 years
- Cost per Credit $316
- Credit Hours 180
Program Benefits
- Processes/procedures for teaching
- Non-licensure program
- Seasoned EOU professors with diverse experiences
- Multiple transfer pathway options
Try our new Admissions Estimator tool to better understand your chances for admission. You probably meet more requirements than you think!
Admissions EstimatorGet Practical, Hands-on Teaching Experience with an ECE Degree
EOU’s early childhood education degree online equips educators of young children with in-depth, foundational knowledge to apply in public and private sectors. A trustworthy program – ranked a best online program by The Best Schools and College Choice – it’s also on the Top 30 Affordable ECE Degree Online Programs list.
You’ll prepare for teaching and administration roles, learning everything from math/science methods and ECE health and wellness to child care laws, regulations and operational functions for directors.
Our two teaching practicums enable you to observe industry pros in a real classroom setting and apply the theories you’ve studied online. Students who wish to pursue teacher licensure after completion of their ECED degree may continue on with EOU’s Master’s of Arts in Teaching program.
Early Childhood Education Curriculum
Core Curriculum
The online bachelor’s in early childhood education requires both Core 1 and Core 2 courses. Core 1 courses investigate stages of development such as play, literature, health and wellness, technology and critical issues.
Core 2 courses are Methods courses, which introduce processes and procedures for teaching specific subjects. Then, your teaching practicum gives you supervised experience in a real classroom. Earn your B.A. with a foreign language requirement, or your B.S. with just 12 more science credits.
Our early childhood education program does not offer licensure. If you would like to be licensed, you can continue to a graduate school program for teaching.
View CoursesHave Credits to Transfer?
The option to transfer credits makes your program more affordable and can help you get on the job sooner. We allow up to 135 credits from previous college coursework to be transferred into EOU. All EOU majors require a minimum of 20 EOU credits.
To see how your credits will transfer, use our Transfer Equivalency tool.
“I love the flexibility of online schooling through EOU. I can fit in all that I need to get done throughout my day and I can do schoolwork at a time that is convenient for me. …Thus far, I have had a great online experience at EOU and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering continued education.”
– Amanda Machuca-Martinez; former EOU student
Admission Requirements
- Online Application and ECE Application
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- ECED 311 & 312 Prerequisite
- Letter of recommendation
What It’s Like to Study Online
Earning your degree online at Eastern Oregon University is a great opportunity because there are no on-campus requirements. You will have access to the same professors, content and opportunities as on-campus students, only in a creative digital format. Our professors work on campus and are professionals and experts who are trained to deliver innovative, engaging online education.
Online ExperienceTuition Details
We feature affordable tuition, especially when compared to similar universities. The total cost of your program (assuming no transfer credits) is $56,880. The cost per credit hour for EOU online courses is $316.
About 92 percent of online students benefit from financial aid and scholarships to cover part of these costs.
Based on 2024-25 academic year. Average competitor is based on a sampling of similar undergraduate regionally accredited universities at 18 credit hours per term.
View Tuition DetailsLearn More About Your Financial Aid Options
Your education is an investment in your future. We take your commitment seriously and are here to support you in finding ways to pay for your degree.
Options to consider are:
- Loans
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Employer Benefits
Program Outcomes
- Explore the early childhood education field
- Confidently work with young children
- Support and advocate for young children
- Prepare for licensure programs
- Create high-quality educational materials and programs
- Develop appropriate learning experiences
Career Outlook
Higher enrollment numbers will create a higher demand for qualified preschool and childcare center directors and administrators. The median annual salary for those positions is $47,940 with a 7 percent job growth rate through 2028. Some schools and programs require licensure, which can mean a higher salary.1
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about the online bachelor’s in early childhood education program.
Besides teaching, your degree can prepare you for administrative positions such as an early childhood program director or early childhood program administrator, an early childhood educational coordinator or an early childhood policy maker. Besides schools, you could work in mental health facilities, businesses, private programs or churches.
If you transfer the maximum number of credits, you can complete this program in two years.
Each term is 11 weeks long.
Our Early Childhood Education program is award-winning. We have been ranked on both The Best Schools and College Choice lists of best online programs. Most recently, our program was ranked number four on the Great Value Colleges’ list of Top 30 Affordable Early Childhood Education Degree Online Programs.
You’ll complete 180 credits to earn the Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. You can review courses now.
Source
- Preschool and Childcare Center Directors. Sept. 4, 2019. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2019, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm#tab-1