The field of early childhood education is booming, and there are many reasons why. It is a rewarding profession that not only provides an opportunity to help inspire young children, but also has the power to change the world.
The course prepares students to teach children between the ages of two and eight in different age groups. Children will be the focus of your work in childcare facilities, day care centers, nursery schools, preschools, and kindergartens.
What is Early Childhood Education?
The Department of Early Care and Education in the United States defines early childhood education as “the process of facilitating the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development and learning readiness of children from birth to age 8”.
The study of Early Childhood Education leads to the development of future educators capable of inspiring young learners and creating a supportive environment that stimulates their curiosity and joy for learning.
How to start a career in Early Childhood Education?
Early childhood education is a rewarding career with many options. If you love being around young children and can communicate in terms they can easily interpret, this is your go-for profession.
The table below summarizes the various degree options, credits, and duration involved.
| Program | Credits(May Vary) | Typical Program Length | Admission Requirements (Vary by the college) |
| Associate of Applied Science (AAS) | 60 credits | 2 years | High school Transcripts |
| Bachelor of Science (BS) Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years | High school GPA of 3.25 or higher OR ACT composite score of 21 or higher |
| Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Master’s Degree | 30-60 credits | 1-2 years | Bachelor’s degree in a related field |
Along with the above criteria, the students are required to undergo criminal background checks and evidence of current TB test. Some universities also require additional health examinations and/or vaccinations.
Is a degree in Early Childhood Education Right for Me?
Early Childhood Education is a field that is growing in popularity and will continue to do so. This is because the demand for good teachers grows exponentially each year. As per BLS, the demand for Preschool teachers is projected to grow by 15% which is much faster than the average for all occupations. It’s an exciting time to enter the field with all of the new tools and techniques that are being developed.
Early Childhood Education is Booming in North Carolina
Early childhood education programs in North Carolina have experienced an aggressive funding increase. According to research, the state has gained many benefits from this move over the years. A Duke University study suggests that early education spending in North Carolina is associated with higher test scores, fewer special education placements, and lower grade retention.
In addition to North Carolina’s growth, the state’s superintendent of schools has set the goal of making its public schools the “best place to learn and teach by 2030.”
Here, we will discuss both Online as well as In-person degrees in Early Childhood Education in North Carolina.
In-Person Associates Degrees in Early Childhood Education in North Carolina
#1. Catawba Valley Community College
Program: AAS in Early childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 91% of the students receiving the aid.
The course of study includes instruction in all areas of child development, including emotional, social, health, physical, language, and communication development, working with diverse families, observations, and student teaching. Among the employment opportunities are child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreation centres, Head Start programs, and schools for school-age children.
#2. Cape Fear Community College
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state); $268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 62% of the students receiving the aid.
With hands-on experiences involving young children in diverse settings, the program integrates students’ knowledge and understanding of theories of child development, social, emotional, cognitive, creative, language, and physical development, authentic assessment, and developmentally appropriate practices.
#3. Beaufort County Community College
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour (out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission n Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 76% of the students receiving the aid.
The 64-credit hour program prepares the students to work with children from birth through eight in a diverse learning environment. The graduates can plan and implement developmentally appropriate early childhood programs.
#4. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in-state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 64% of the students receiving the aid.
Students graduate prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate early childhood programs. In addition to child development and child care programs, there are preschools, public and private schools, recreational centres, Head Start programs, and school-age programs that offer employment opportunities.
#5. Alamance Community College
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 76% of the students receiving the aid.
The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from early childhood through kindergarten in different learning environments.
Various employment opportunities exist among child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreation centres, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.
#6. Tri-County Community College
Program: AAS in Early Care & Education
Tuition: $268 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 99% of the students receiving the aid.
Early Childhood Education program equips students for various learning environments that support children from birth to 8 years old. Coursework includes:
• Child growth and development.
• Physical/nutritional needs of children.
• Care and supervision of children.
• Communication skills with families and children.
#7 Vance-Granville Community College
Program: AAS –Early Childhood Education Local Track
Tuition: $5016
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 78% of the students receiving the aid.
Graduates of this 66-credit hour program are trained to create conditions for children that are healthy, respectful, supporting, and challenging at the same time. Students will be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate early childhood programs upon graduation
Cheapest In-person Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
#1. Barton College
Program: BS in Birth-Kindergarten Education
Tuition: $450 per credit hour
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 100% of the students receiving the aid.
Candidates are placed in a student-teaching setting full-time and are eligible for licensure by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction after completing the program. Applicants transferring from the North Carolina Community College System may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Birth to Kindergarten with Teacher Certification from Barton College.
#2. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Program: BA in Child & Family Development
Tuition: $3812 per annum(in state);$17936 per annum(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 76% of the students receiving the aid.
The curriculum equips learners with the skills necessary to work with young children, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, both with and without impairments, and their families.
Graduates of the programme are eligible to apply for the Standard Professional 1 Professional Educator’s License in early childhood education.
Cheapest In-person Masters in Early Childhood Education in North Carolina
1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Program: Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies: Early Education(Birth-Kindergarten)
Tuition: $241 per credit hour(in state);$1047 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 76% of the students receiving the aid.
The 39-credit hour program comprises two phases, the Graduate Certificate phase (Phase I) and the Master’s degree completion phase (Phase II). The program graduates can successfully plan lessons for young kids, access their needs and provide an environment for growth and discovery.
Cheapest Online Degrees in Early Childhood Education in North Carolina
#1. Stanly Community College
Mode: Both online and In-person
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in-state);$268 per credit hour (out of state)
Accreditation and Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #6 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina.
Financial Aid: Available with 67% of the students receiving the aid.
The Early childhood Education program of the college has received course accreditation from NAEYC, establishing it as a centre of excellence for the Early childhood Degree Program. The graduates of the course take into account multidimensional knowledge about the developmental stage of early childhood, an individual’s uniqueness, and the development and learning in cultural contexts.
#2. Central Piedmont Community College
Mode: Both Online & In-person
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 60% of the students receiving the aid.
As part of the Early Childhood Education program curriculum, students gain experience working with children in various learning environments from infancy through middle childhood. Under the supervision of qualified teachers, students combine learning theories with actual practice with young children.
#3 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Mode: Both Online & In-person
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 66% of the students receiving the aid.
Students graduating from the course will be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate practices in childcare settings. A qualified teacher supervises students as they practice their theoretical knowledge in actual settings with young children.
#4. Brunswick Community College
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 78% of the students receiving the aid.
As part of the Early Childhood Education program, students prepare to work in diverse learning environments with children from birth to age eight. In real-life settings, students will combine learned theories with practical experience with young children.
#5. Blue Ridge Community College
Program: Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #5 in Best Community Colleges in North Carolina.
Financial Aid: Available with 82% of the students receiving the aid.
In addition to the education degree program, there are great articulation agreements with four-year schools that allow graduates to go on to study Birth to Kindergarten (BK) degrees, Family Studies, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, or Special Education. NAEYC also accredits the program.
#6 Alamance Community College
Mode: Both Online and In-person
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 76% of the students receiving the aid.
The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through kindergarten in different learning environments. Various employment opportunities exist among child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreation centres, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.
#7 Wake Technical Community College
Mode: Online & In-person
Program: AAS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $76 per credit hour(in state);$268 per credit hour (out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 51% of the students receiving the aid.
The 70-credit hour program prepares students to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. The students help foster young children’s cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative development.
Cheapest Online Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
#1. North Carolina Central University
Program: BS in Early Childhood Education
Tuition: $91 per credit hour(in state); $442 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 96% of the students receiving the aid.
The 120-credit hour program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and approved by the NC Department of Public Instruction. The course aids in understanding the ideas and principles underlying early childhood education and child development and how to design learning settings that support the growth of young learners.
#2. Winston-Salem State University
Program: BS in Birth-Kindergarten Education
Tuition: $142 per credit hour(in state); $586 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 98% of the students receiving the aid.
The program boasts rigorous, interdisciplinary birth through kindergarten teaching program that prepares the graduates to work with children from all backgrounds in diverse settings. The course can be completed by choosing from any of the three concentrations: Teacher Licensure, Administration and Leadership, or Early Intervention and Preschool.
#3. University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Program: BS in Early Care and Education
Tuition: $185 per credit hour(in state);$816 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation & Ranking: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ranked #7 in Top Public Universities in North Carolina.
Financial Aid: Available with 86% of the students receiving the aid.
This program is open to students who have earned a two-year Associates degree from a North Carolina Community College that participates in the program. The program aims to assist community college graduates who wish to transfer to UNCG with advanced status and pursue particular UNCG majors.
#4. North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Program: BS in Early Education and Family Studies
Tuition: $443 per credit hour(in state); $2131 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 95% of the students receiving the aid.
The 120 credit hour program graduates must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.30 or better, along with a minimum grade of C in all major courses. . During this course, students will learn about the cognitive/language, physical/motor, emotional, and creative development of young children.
#5. Western Carolina University
Program: Bachelor of Science in Birth-Kindergarten Education
Tuition: $3578 per semester(in state);$5578 per semester(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 86% of the students receiving the aid.
Western Carolina University offers an online Bachelor of Science in birth-kindergarten Education. The degree prepares students to work with young children, including infants and toddlers. Courses cover child development, teaching strategies, and classroom management techniques.
Cheapest Online Masters in Early Childhood Education in North Carolina
1. North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
Tuition: $593 per credit hour(in state); $2193 per credit hour(out of state)
Accreditation: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Financial Aid: Available with 95% of the students receiving the aid.
The course is designed to fulfil prerequisites for licensure and provides a complete curriculum that meets the highest benchmark. The program is two-tiered. The first one includes the coursework needed for “A” licensure, including an internship requirement and passing the examinations of Praxis II. The second tier comprises research requirements for an advanced master’s degree.
What Can I do with a degree in Early Childhood Education?
You only need an associate’s degree to enter this exciting and challenging early childhood education field. Still, if you want your career graph to move upward, you might have to upskill and pursue a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree.
The diagram below segregates the various job opportunities available at the associate, bachelor and Masters’s levels.
What Salary to Expect with a Degree in Early Childhood Education?
As per BLS, the median salary for a preschool teacher is $30,210.The jobs in Early Childhood Education are growing faster than average for all occupations. Many factors are responsible for this trend, including the increasing number of pre-schoolers and the demand for early childhood services.
The graph below will give you a better idea about the salary structure with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
| Job Description | Median Salary |
| Childcare Provider | $34,829 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $39,935 |
| Preschool Teacher | $45,996 |
| Nanny | $50,208 |
| Special Education Teacher | $53,629 |
| School Counselor | $57,381 |
| Education Consultant | $63,512 |
Is it worthwhile to pursue a degree in Early Childhood education?
Managing children requires not only commanding them, lovingly correcting them, soothing them, and resolving disputes between inherently unreasonable children but also managing their endless energy, little common sense, and loud voices. A degree in early childhood education will not only provide you with the knowledge of how to teach children but also give you the skills to teach them in a way that is developmentally appropriate for their age.
