Is an early childhood education bachelor’s degree worth it?

An early childhood education bachelor’s degree can be worth it if it aligns with your career goals — for instance, if you want to teach preschool, this may be a required qualification. Also, an early childhood education degree may be a good foundation for additional education to qualify for other education jobs.

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education?

Many bachelor’s programs in early childhood education take at least four years of full-time study to complete, but some schools offer accelerated programs with increased course loads that may let you finish sooner. If you complete your degree on a part-time basis, however, it may take longer.

What are the benefits of getting a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education?

The main benefit of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is that it gives you expertise in the education of young children. Different states have different rules for what teaching you can do with an early childhood bachelor’s degree though. Your state might also require that you have an additional teaching certificate if you want to teach kindergarten and older in the public school system.

How to choose a bachelor's in early childhood education

By: Samantha Lord, Edited by: Arthur McMahon

Published: March 5, 2025

If you want a career working with young children, then pursuing an early childhood education bachelor's degree may be a good path for you.

Learn about what factors to consider when choosing a bachelor's in early childhood education program so you can find the one that best aligns with your academic and career goals.

Guide to choosing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education

There are several main considerations to keep in mind when choosing an early childhood education bachelor's degree program.

Certification and licensing

Make sure that the early childhood education bachelor's degree program you choose is approved in your state. Verifying state approval will allow you to apply for the licensing you need to work in early childhood education in your state.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, different states have their own licensing requirements for teaching prekindergarten students.

Additionally, before you enroll in an early childhood education program, make sure that the school providing it is nationally accredited. The U.S. Department of Education provides a database to look up schools so you can make sure that they're accredited. This is particularly important, as a college or university must be accredited by a nationally recognized body in order for students at that school to receive federal grants or loans.

You may also want to look for programs with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.

Curriculum

You should also consider the curriculum of the early childhood education programs you are considering. Your program should give you a thorough background in how young children think and learn and how to care for young children in a daycare or school setting.

Look at the details of several early childhood education bachelor's degree programs. That way, you can determine what to generally expect from early childhood education curriculums and decide which specific program would be best for you.

Practical experience opportunities

It's useful to choose a program that provides the chance to get practical experience through an internship. An early childhood education internship is designed to develop your knowledge and skills as an early childhood educator.

When you're learning about your different options for an early childhood education bachelor's program, find out whether each program has an internship component.

You should also look at your state requirements for teaching at the grade level you wish to teach, because many states may require you to complete an internship or student teaching experience to qualify for licensure. If your state does require an internship, all approved programs in your state will prepare you with the right amount of internship hours.

Flexibility

If you work during the day, flexibility may be an important consideration in choosing the right early childhood education program. One option could be enrolling in a night school program if one is available. However, this involves physically attending the campus.

An option that tends to provide more flexibility is an online bachelor's degree program. There are several online early childhood education bachelor's degree programs available, so you can choose one that offers the right amount of flexibility to fit into your schedule.

Explore bachelor's degrees in early childhood education

Are you ready to begin your journey toward becoming an early childhood educator? Then check out edX's courses and programs in child development and get started today.

Frequently asked questions about getting a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education

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