Here are the best graduate programs for early childhood education.
Pursuing an online Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education is reserved for those with a deep desire to help shape early childhood education from the top down.
These experts are dedicated to helping the most impressionable members of society. Early childhood is defined as the period between the ages of birth and the beginning of middle school.
Children’s growth and development immediately impact our society—a child’s ability to learn new things peaks at three.
Online Doctoral Programs In Early Childhood Education
Ph.D. students set the route for the most effective methods of enhancing the lives of young people.
Their role is to design and implement new systems, research, and even interact directly with children in preschools, daycares, & nursery schools.
Many high-quality colleges and universities offer a reasonable price for online PhDs in early childhood education.
Here are the best Ph.D. programs in early childhood development.
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New Mexico State University
On sites like Best Schools and Online Masters, New Mexico State University’s College of Education ranks highly.
New Mexico State University offers several low-cost online Ph.D. programs, including one in early childhood education. New Mexico State University is accredited by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Two prerequisites exist for this Ph.D. program in Early Childhood Education & Development.
To be eligible for this program, students must have a master’s in education and at least three years of teaching in grades K-12 or postsecondary.
Individual pupils and entire school districts benefit from the training teachers receive in this program, which teaches them how to motivate large-scale educational advances.
This online degree program has a few key objectives, including preparing students to construct multicultural and relevant curriculums for today’s culture.
It will take about 66 credit hours to complete. The rankings ranked New Mexico State University (NMSU) as the finest online Ph.D. in early childhood education.
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Fielding Graduate University
An infant & early childhood development Ph.D. from Fielding Graduate University is an interdisciplinary curriculum that incorporates neurosciences, language and communication, physical and occupational therapy, and educational and mental health services.
The faculty uses a curriculum encompassing cross-cultural, social, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, & physiological perspectives to educate atypical and typical family development.
There are 89 semester hours required to finish the program, including foundation courses, leadership skills, electives, and a research practicum/project.
There are 11 concentrations to choose from, including evidence-based coaching, organizational development, reflective practice/supervision, somatics, phenomenology, & communicative leadership, among other options.
Students may be able to start the program with advanced standing if they can provide proven prior learning and transfer credit.
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Northcentral University
Northcentral University offers a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education that you can complete entirely online. This online program is meant to assist students in learning about early childhood education legislation, curriculum, and research.
The competency-based degree focuses on teaching and research on a wide range of subjects, such as stakeholder partnerships, curriculum & assessment, program management, literature, and child development.
Leadership jobs in higher education systems, institutions, research, and child development & education settings can be pursued by program graduates.
Students must finish 60 credit hours of coursework to graduate and have 45 months to do so.
Students may take advantage of the flexibility of not having set lecture times, starting classes every week, and doing so around their other professional and personal commitments.
As part of their education, students benefit from one-on-one time with their lecturers through individualized mentoring.
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Nova Southeastern University
The online Ed.D.. in educational leadership offered by Nova Southeastern University is intended for district and school administrators, classroom teachers, and education leaders interested in a PreK-12 administrative track.
Students learn how to solve difficulties in the workplace by applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios.
A minimum of 54 credits are required for the degree, including 24 credits for the concentration, 12 credits for research and electives, and either a qualitative or quantitative thesis worth 12 credits.
Students must complete all of these requirements to graduate.
Online courses allow working professionals to acquire a degree without taking time away from their jobs or commuting great distances. Still, they may not satisfy state certification and licensing requirements.
As a result of their training, grads are prepared to take on leadership roles in strengthening educational institutions.
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Regent University
Among Virginia’s best online graduate education programs, the Ph.D. in Education focuses on K-12 school leadership from Regent University and prepares teachers seeking initial administrative approval for assistant principal and principal roles.
However, students can meet other students and instructors at summer residences, part of the research-based program.
Applicants must pass 77 credit hours of coursework during eight-week semesters to graduate.
The curriculum prepares school administrators, superintendents, associate principals, principals, and university faculty members.
A test preparation course for the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SSLA) may be available to graduates.
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Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago’s program in early childhood education comprised 61 of about 67 credits through early childhood-related studies in research methodology, trends, & legal issues, which are offered in both Ed.D.. and Ph.D. degrees.
In addition, a comprehensive test, a dissertation, and a practicum are all required.
Leadership, supervision, assessment approaches, literacy education, and language acquisition are covered in this research.
The curriculum is available online, but students can also choose to take classes on campus. As part of the course, students must evaluate their educational practices and views.
An emphasis is placed on developing servant leadership and competence within Christian ideals and honesty in that contemplation.
Leadership and management positions in organizations, higher education & politics, lobbying, and policy are among the career options available to graduates.
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Southern New Hampshire University
Multiple routes lead to the Southern New Hampshire University Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: a cohort-based program offered throughout Vermont and a low-residency program headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire.
As a result, this course is best suited for pre-K-12 school administrators, executive directors, curriculum specialists, and higher education administrators.
The cohort model uses group discussions, scholarly readings, creative approaches, and frameworks centered on action to get all students thinking about and analyzing current educational issues.
Students must complete 57 to 60 credits of study in applied research, sociocultural assessment of the education system, education scholarship, and theory-to-practice integration.
Attend monthly class meetings on Sundays or Saturdays during the three terms and eight days of summer residency for three summers.
Students may complete the curriculum and dissertation within three years. However, success is dependent on an individual student.
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Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University’s online -*Ph.D. in educational leadership is a unique, accelerated executive doctorate.
With this 54-credit-hour program, which you can finish in less than three years, you can learn the attitudes, knowledge, and abilities needed to alter and lead educational institutions.
Students can select from 3 areas of interest: PreK-12 school and school district leadership, higher education leadership, and special education leadership.
The PreK-12 focus requires students to complete courses in advanced statistical analysis, cross-cultural concepts & educational leadership, organizational theory and research development, and educational policy in study and experimentation.
Students aiming to get the PA Superintendent Letter of Eligibility should complete practicums and a dissertation, which they must research, write, and defend.
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Cappella University
Dr. of Education, Teacher Leader in K-12 Studies from Capella University, trains graduates for educational leadership positions and coaching/mentoring roles for fellow teachers.
Kids learn how to speak for learners and lecturers, use data to improve student learning & teacher performance and foster meaningful cooperation in their schools.
The curriculum consists of 9 core courses and a capstone project that you can complete entirely online.
To graduate, students must complete 64 quarter credits of study, including courses on Emerging Technology Trends, Innovations in Teaching and Learning, Cultural Proficiency in Schools and Communities, and Teaching and Mentoring/Coaching.
Graduates pursue employment in K-12 leadership, district assessment directors, directors of school effectiveness, curriculum directors/specialists, faculty and staff, deans, presidents & vice presidents, and directors of learning and development, among other positions.
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Brenau University
A cheap online Ph.D. in early childhood teaching is available through Brenau University. There are no weekend residency requirements for this program.
Future Developments in Education; Syllabus, Theory, and Assessment; Cultural Perspectives & Leadership; & Education Issues and Administration are part of the program’s core curriculum.
Additionally, enrolled students must complete research classes such as Applied Statistical Analysis: Quantitative & Qualitative and Quantitative Research.
They’ll take Innovations in Science, Mathematics, and Language Arts for Early Childhood Education among the courses.
In addition to coursework, a Ph.D. dissertation is required. The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has given Brenau University its stamp of approval.
U.S. News & World Report rankings include: “Best Value School,” “Best for Vets,” and other honors.
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham
UA Birmingham’s Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education is one of just a handful of doctorates in the United States devoted solely to ECE.
Students are immersed in doctoral-level encounters that concentrate on early childhood service, lecturing, & research instead of a generic approach to training.
Doctoral students can expect courses, internships, seminars, and experiences in which they can specialize in one of five key areas: early intervention/young kids at risk, diversity & emergent multilingual learners, early childhood curricula, early childhood reading, and Piagetian Theory.
Blazer Graduate Research Fellows — full-time graduate research assistants whose work benefits the early childhood education program and faculty — must complete at least two semesters of dissertation hours.
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American College of Education
You can earn an early childhood education degree from the American College of Education’s Doctor of Education in Leadership program at a reasonable cost.
Each student must complete 18 credits outside their general education requirements to specialize in a particular study area.
Higher Learning Commission recognized the American College of Education’s Ed.D. in Leadership – Early Childhood.
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Grand Canyon University
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, emphasizing K-12 leadership, is available through Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies.
For 60 credits, students must complete eight-week courses in fiscal management, administration, and teaching in K-12 education.
Politics and history are taught alongside the organization and governance of the modern K-12 school system.
Students also investigate how to create a competent and effective society that drives student accomplishment through educational theory and research.
Students must also complete a dissertation & doctoral residences in addition to coursework in research design & data analysis, strategic planning & transformation, & ethical dilemmas, and stewardship.
Within 39 months of study, students may acquire a Ph.D. degree in K-12 leadership, which prepares them for employment as consultants, counselors, instructors, and faculty and school administrators.
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University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado’s Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program prepares students for leadership positions in public school districts, higher education, advocacy, and the application of research.
Students are expected to conduct original research, analyze data, write critically, and take topic courses related to their concentrations.
Six Saturdays per semester are dedicated to face-to-face instruction, augmented by online components and three online-only courses.
Online learning enables working professionals to fit the curriculum around their family and work schedules while benefiting from face-to-face interaction.
Two to a half years, excluding the time spent on the dissertation, is the typical time frame for students to complete the program.
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Wilmington University
The College of Education at Wilmington University College of Education aims to develop innovative scholar-practitioners equipped to handle the challenges facing today’s schools.
Teachers and school administrators can choose between three tracks of study: one for district leaders, another for school leaders, and a third for teachers and administrators interested in advanced practice in the classroom.
Concentration selection affects the total number of credits necessary. However, all students must complete 49–51.
The three-year program can be completed using accelerated learning alternatives, an online/in-person hybrid timetable, and a well-designed curriculum.
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Hampton University
In Educational Management from Hampton University, Dr. Phil prepares graduates for leadership roles in a rapidly changing educational landscape.
PreK-12, higher ed, special education, & STEM leadership are just a few concentrations students can choose from in the 66-credit-hour program.
Students can complete the program in two and a half years by taking nine-week courses.
It focuses on current and relevant concerns in executive educational leadership, research, attitudes, and leadership qualities that professionals should be effective in the academic environment.
Candidates benefit from accessing the network of outstanding educational organizations and leaders who may help their career, professional, & intellectual development through their dissertations.
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East Tennessee State University
ETU’s Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education is an online program to help elementary school teachers improve their teaching abilities and become more effective in the classroom.
This 70-credit-hour, low-cost program focuses on teacher learning & leadership development and helps graduates apply this knowledge to their teaching professions.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has accredited East Tennessee State University’s Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education program.
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University of North Dakota
The Doctor of Education in Educational Practice and Leadership degree at the University of North Dakota is delivered entirely online over three years.
It is designed to assist students in acquiring the skills and information needed to become future school directors, superintendents, and other education professionals.
Practical experience in a classroom setting is part of this dissertation’s study progress. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission accredits the University of North Dakota.
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Walden University
If you want to positively impact young people’s lives, Walden University’s doctoral program in early childhood leadership & advocacy is for you.
This online degree program’s student research and development involve a published dissertation and a capstone project.
A primary objective is to prepare students to work in child welfare with integrity and skill.
The Higher Learning Commission approves Walden for its Ph.D. in Education – Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy program.
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Western Illinois University
The hybrid Ed.D.. in educational leadership offered by Western Illinois University is designed to produce leaders who can help educational institutions succeed despite their challenges.
Courses are available online and on-campus, so students often enroll in two-semester classes as part of the program’s hybrid approach.
Inquiry-based and collaborative, the curriculum encourages students to examine how they may use applied technology, research, theory, and heightened political knowledge to overcome these difficulties.
One can take two paths to obtain a doctorate in this field.
PreK-12 educators who want to work as consultants, superintendents, central office officials, principals, or instructors will benefit most from the traditional route.
The other focuses on higher education educational leadership. Students who complete either program are prepared to sit for the licensing exam.
Conclusion On Ed.D. Early Childhood Education
Educators who want a better grasp of child development, psychology, & learning may find that earning an online Doctorate in early childhood teaching is an excellent next step.
Those who pursue a Doctorate in early childhood education are prepared to work with children between the ages of 0 and 8. Expertise in theories, research, leadership, & approaches related to early childhood education is demonstrated by getting this certification.
Doctoral programs in early childhood education equip students for educational research, teacher training, and school administration roles.
Graduates with a Ph.D. in early childhood education may go on to work in policy or curriculum development, or they may choose to stay in the classroom.
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