Online Master of Education — Early Childhood Education
Learn how you can grow your impact on a child's life during their formative years.
Program Overview
Learn about our 100 percent online M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education program
The Master of Education – Early Childhood Education online program from Eastern Washington University is designed to prepare you to work with and support young children (birth through age eight) and their families. Coursework for this flexible online M.Ed. reflects current evidence-based practices and is aligned with standards put forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Study relevant topics such as the science of early childhood development, creating positive learning environments for children, leadership and policy, and understanding family systems and engagement.
If you already hold a teaching certificate, you will be eligible for an added endorsement in early childhood education (grades P-3) when you complete this program. Otherwise, enhance your credentials to serve in a leadership role in a public agency such as Head Start, or in a private preschool or child care center.
The Eastern Washington University School of Business is accredited by AACSB International (AACSB).
This online early childhood education master’s program prepares you for new career opportunities:
- The curriculum content mirrors Washington State's vision for early learning so that "all children start life with a solid foundation for success based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through grade 3. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable and confident in school and life."
- Current state and national early childhood workforce trends reflect an increasing awareness of the long-term benefits of early childhood education. Specifically, expansion of state public preschool programs, increased focus on home-visiting outcomes and reduced student-teacher ratios in K-3 classrooms.
- Beyond teaching positions, there is an increasing demand among other careers in the early childhood field—such as Early Childhood Program Specialist or Coach for state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). The M.Ed. with ECE emphasis supports meeting qualifications for these career trajectories.
- The curriculum content mirrors Washington State's vision for early learning so that "all children start life with a solid foundation for success based on strong families and a world-class early learning system for all children prenatal through grade 3. Accessible, accountable, and developmentally and culturally appropriate, our system partners with families to ensure that every child is healthy, capable and confident in school and life."
- Current state and national early childhood workforce trends reflect an increasing awareness of the long-term benefits of early childhood education. Specifically, expansion of state public preschool programs, increased focus on home-visiting outcomes and reduced student-teacher ratios in K-3 classrooms.
- Beyond teaching positions, there is an increasing demand among other careers in the early childhood field—such as Early Childhood Program Specialist or Coach for state Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS). The M.Ed. with ECE emphasis supports meeting qualifications for these career trajectories.
Also available online:
EWU offers a variety of graduate education degree programs in a convenient online format. Check out all our online M.Ed. programs.
The School of Education programs are approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).
"There’s a lot of reading and writing, but it's worth it–especially at that price point. I am going to be proud to say I went to Eastern Washington University for my master's degree."
– Deanna Peterson
M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online student
Need More Information?
Tuition
Discover how EWU makes your online grad degree affordable
The M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online degree program features the same affordable tuition for in-state and out-of-state students.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per 4-Credit Hour Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. Early Childhood | $325 | $1,300 | $15,925* |
Application Fee: $75
*Tuition and fees subject to change. Total program cost does not include foundation courses. If foundation courses are required, the cost will be added to the total program cost.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Review the upcoming deadlines and dates for all students
The master’s in early childhood education online is ideal for working professionals, offering six-week courses with seven start dates each year. View the full calendar for upcoming deadlines for turning in all required documentation, registering for classes and paying tuition to begin on your desired start date.
Now enrolling:
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter I | 12/30/24 | 12/16/24 | 12/24/24 | 12/28/24 |
| Winter II | 2/10/25 | 1/27/25 | 2/5/25 | 2/8/25 |
| Spring I | 3/31/25 | 3/17/25 | 3/26/25 | 3/29/25 |
| Spring II | 5/12/25 | 4/28/25 | 5/7/25 | 5/10/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?
Admissions
Find out what’s needed to earn your EWU master’s in ECE online
The admission process is the first step toward earning your M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education online. A teaching certificate is not required for admission to this program. However, this program will not lead to a teaching certificate in Washington.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Official transcript from degree-granting university
M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education Online Requirements
- No teaching certificate required
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester-graded postsecondary credit hours**
- Official transcript from the college/university where degree was earned
Have a question? Call us at 800-826-3411.
**We encourage you to apply if your GPA is lower than a 3.0 and you have at least 3 years of professional work experience. Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 are considered for admission on a case-by-case basis. Please contact an Enrollment Services representative at 800-826-3411 for more information.
This offering is available as an endorsement program for those teachers who hold or who have held an initial, residency, continuing or professional teaching certificate in the state of Washington. If you do not hold a teaching certificate in Washington or do not hold a teaching certificate at all, you are still encouraged to apply.
Please note however that this will not lead to a teaching certificate in Washington. Additionally, this program may satisfy the requirements for states other than Washington. Please check with your applicable licensing board to determine whether this program satisfies requirements for licensure in the state in which you reside. For current contact information for applicable licensing boards, please refer to our State Authorization page. For information on certification in the state of Washington, contact Christi Wavada at [email protected].
Document Submission Information
Order your official, electronic transcripts from the degree-granting institution where you earned your highest degree (bachelor’s or master’s) and have them sent to Eastern Washington University.
- Most EWU graduate programs only require one transcript. Please submit a transcript from your degree-granting institution. This transcript should include the final two years of your degree completion. If it does not, please submit transcripts to cover your final two years of earned credits.
- Please note that transcripts ordered by main may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
If you are ordering a mailed paper transcript, please have it sent to:
Eastern Washington University
Showalter Hall 206
Cheney, WA 99004
Courses
Explore the topics you’ll study in your online M.Ed. – Early Childhood Education program
In order to earn the online ECE master’s degree, you must complete 14 courses (49 credit hours), comprised of 16 credit hours of core courses and 33 credit hours of specialization courses (including an internship).
