Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education Online

Prepare to give young children a solid foundation for lifelong learning that intertwines the areas of emotional, social, cognitive and physical development.

Apply by: 1/3/25
Start class: 1/13/25 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Why consider this online master’s program in early childhood education

Boost your career while developing your expertise for helping young children flourish in the MSEd. in Early Childhood Education online program from Northwest Missouri State University. In this dynamic program, you will learn to evaluate and plan ECE programs, develop skills to implement and analyze program assessment strategies, reflect on your own individual leadership proficiencies, and more.

The curriculum for the MSEd. in Early Childhood Education online program is anchored in supporting the curiosity of children as they learn, stressing critical reflection and a teacher-as-researcher approach. The need for qualified childcare and daycare directors in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska is projected to grow 10.2% over the next 10 years, according to Burning Glass.

This master’s in ECE program was developed based on feedback from an advisory board comprised of teachers and administrators in the field, ensuring that the curriculum is relevant and evolving in response to ECE trends. Specifically, courses on trauma and the role of culture in child development are integrated into the curriculum, guiding your ability to work with vulnerable populations and utilize trauma response processes.

You will learn to become a reflective practitioner by incorporating the Reggio Emilia approach, in which curiosity forms the basis for effective learning. Our faculty will help you take an active role in incorporating learning around your areas of curiosity. By practicing this method, you can apply it as an early childhood education leader.

Northwest also offers the advantage of an early childhood learning center on campus, providing a real-life learning environment that can refine and influence the curriculum over time.

Note: While this program is designed in accordance with national and state standards in early childhood education, it does not qualify the graduate for state certification. Check with your state for information on specific ECE certification requirements.

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Graduates of this master’s in early childhood education online program will be able to:

  • Design programs and learning experiences that address the holistic needs—educational, social and emotional—for children 8 and under
  • Implement culturally responsive practices in childhood development
  • Learn to evaluate quality programs that are relevant for the teacher’s student population
  • Create a teacher-as-researcher mentality through documentation of learning, assessments and data literacy
  • Develop methods for building connections and relationships with students’ families
Graduates of this master’s in early childhood education online program will be able to:
  • Design programs and learning experiences that address the holistic needs—educational, social and emotional—for children 8 and under
  • Implement culturally responsive practices in childhood development
  • Learn to evaluate quality programs that are relevant for the teacher’s student population
  • Create a teacher-as-researcher mentality through documentation of learning, assessments and data literacy
  • Develop methods for building connections and relationships with students’ families

Career opportunities include:

  • Childcare Director
  • Preschool/Childcare Teacher
  • Learning Center Director
  • Education Administrator
Career opportunities include:
  • Childcare Director
  • Preschool/Childcare Teacher
  • Learning Center Director
  • Education Administrator

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.

Total Tuition $11,730*
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation:

AAQEP logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-890-9304

Call 844-890-9304

Tuition

How Northwest makes an online MSEd. affordable

Our MSEd. in Early Childhood Education online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MSEd. in Early Childhood Education $391 $1,173 $11,730

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $11,730*
Per Credit Hour $391

Transfer your credits for lower tuition

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

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Your Estimated Tuition: $16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Calendar

Important dates and deadlines for our online students

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar  + 

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/2410/7/2410/10/2410/14/2410/16/2412/6/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/6/251/7/251/8/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/27/253/3/253/5/254/25/25
Summer 15/5/254/21/254/24/254/28/254/30/256/20/25
Summer 26/23/256/6/256/11/256/13/256/17/258/8/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 1/3/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/13/25
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

What you need to know before applying

At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the MSEd. in Early Childhood Education online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript.

Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 may be admitted conditionally and will be required to earn a 3.0 GPA on six graduate-level credit hours in order to continue the program.

Program admission also requires documentation of ONE of the following:

  • Current, valid state issued teaching certificate
  • Two years previous teaching experience with a valid teaching certificate
  • 3.5 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE
  • Successful completion of another master's degree with at least a 2.75 GPA
  • National Board Certification
  • Successful completion of nationally normed educational performance assessment or content assessment
  • Departmental Analytical writing assessment with a 4.0 score or higher (based on the modified CUNY scale)

Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Graduate Records Specialist
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information


Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

The topics you’ll study in our master’s in early childhood education classes

For this online master’s degree in early childhood education, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on the development of skills related to finding, evaluating, analyzing, prioritizing and integrating data sources for the improvement of student learning. Students will retrieve data, develop an action plan for improvement, and create a project demonstrating proficiency in data literacy.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly. 27 hours field experience embedded in the course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Discussion of strategies designed to foster effective collaborative, conferencing and communication skills. These skills will enhance partnerships between families of students with exceptional needs, general and special education teachers, para educators, and other support personnel.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to assist early childhood educators to become more aware of issues in education which have an impact upon them. Issues will be analyzed in terms of the historical and philosophical bases that have created the climate leading to these problems. Issues will be addressed in terms of how these issues impact children.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to support Early Childhood educators in their understanding of the importance of evaluating Early Childhood programs while engaging in a three-tiered measurement framework with a focus on program evaluation, program planning, and monitoring children’s progress. Students will develop skills as they implement and analyze program assessment strategies and reflect on their individual leadership proficiencies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth study of constructivist curriculum including the Reggio Emilia Approach, stages of play, play research, role of adults in play, cultural differences in play, quality learning environments, and to critically reflect on teaching and assessment practices implemented in early childhood settings. Students will develop skills to become teachers as researchers.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop skills to enable the prospective teacher of the young child with special needs (birth to age five years) to (1) plan and organize appropriate curriculum content and learning sequences; (2) identify and implement appropriate instructional strategies, techniques, and environments; and (3) work effectively with parents and families, as well as other professionals and caregivers.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to emphasize and inform candidates on the importance of understanding trauma and the prevalence of trauma in the school system. Candidates will gain knowledge of adverse childhood experiences and understand the negative impact of trauma on development and behavior; specifically brain development. Candidates will gain an understanding of secondary trauma exposure while increasing their awareness of the importance of resiliency, emotional intelligence, and growth mindset. The course will inform candidates on key features of culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma informed care while gaining teaching strategies and resources for classroom implementation.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an in-depth study of various early childhood programs geared toward preparing students to be skilled in all administrative responsibilities of an early childhood program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to bridge early childhood theory and practice, the graduate student will be placed in a field setting to gain needed insight and experience in a broad array of programs serving young children and their families. The specific experience will be designed cooperatively by the student and the instructor to build the student’s administrative and professional expertise. **FIXED LAST CLASS FOR MSEd EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM.**

Ranked #1

Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)

Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.

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