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:
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
- 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
- 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.
Accreditation:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall 1 | 8/26/24 | 8/12/24 | 8/15/24 | 8/19/24 | 8/21/24 | 10/11/24 |
Fall 2 | 10/21/24 | 10/7/24 | 10/10/24 | 10/14/24 | 10/16/24 | 12/6/24 |
Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/8/25 | 2/28/25 |
Spring 2 | 3/10/25 | 2/24/25 | 2/27/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/5/25 | 4/25/25 |
Summer 1 | 5/5/25 | 4/21/25 | 4/24/25 | 4/28/25 | 4/30/25 | 6/20/25 |
Summer 2 | 6/23/25 | 6/6/25 | 6/11/25 | 6/13/25 | 6/17/25 | 8/8/25 |
Now enrolling:
earning your degree?
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
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 SpecialistNorthwest 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).
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.
Request Information
Submit this form, and one of our enrollment specialists will contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the process, from start to finish.
Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
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Maryville, MO 64468 USA
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.
Request Information
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) and its agent, Risepoint, may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services. Privacy Policy. SMS Terms.