Online Schools for Becoming a Preschool Teacher: How to Choose

There are a number of online programs in education available to students interested in a career in preschool teaching. Although most of the classes are held online, programs typically offer students a chance to engage in a hands-on practicum in their local area where they can experience and participate in classroom teaching.

How to Select a School for an Online Early Childhood Education Degree

Award Levels

Online programs offer both undergraduate and graduate degree options that prepare individuals for a career in preschool education. The majority of early childhood educators hold bachelor's degrees. A master's degree in early childhood education provides students more flexibility and room for advancement into administrative and director positions.

License

Preschool teachers must be licensed by the state in which they intend to practice. Although this rule does not necessarily apply to private schools (where most teachers are not required to obtain a teaching license), online educational programs prepare students for the general license test given by the state licensing committee. Students should check with their respective states about specific requirements for the early childhood education license.

Program Type

Online programs in education offer low-residency (hybrid) formats. Hybrid programs require students to spend some time on campus and generally offer more hands-on training opportunities. Students enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program in early childhood education follow online lectures on their own time and usually must fulfill a large number of on-site classroom observation and practicum hours.

Technical Requirements

Students must have access to a personal laptop or desktop computer with an updated operating system and a modern Web browser. In order to participate in online programs, students need a fast Internet connection to run software and accommodate the transmission of large media files, like live video streaming of a lecture or demonstration.

List of Popular Online Degrees

Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

The online bachelor's degree in early childhood education focuses on teaching strategies that help teachers develop a curriculum and work effectively with children aged birth to five years. The program includes a core of humanities, social science and math courses with a professional curriculum that emphasizes childhood growth and development, classroom management and curriculum planning. Additional course topics can include language and literacy development, family involvement, educational psychology and early childhood literature.
Although most of the courses are offered online, students are expected to complete an infant and toddler practicum that requires them to participate in classroom observation and student teaching; online schools often help students arrange this practicum in their local area. This hands-on work is to ensure that all student teachers have teaching experience prior to graduation, helping them qualify for the early childhood education certification exam.

Online Master of Science in Education - Early Childhood Education

A teaching specialization in early childhood education offers students a chance to pursue administrative, managerial or advanced teaching positions in an educational facility. The online master's degree program is designed to expand on principles of education in areas of curriculum development, instruction and program assessment. In addition, it introduces students to administrative topics in education such as funding, human resources management, finance and law.
The degree can take from 1-2 years to complete, depending on the student's course load each semester. Some programs also offer students a chance to apply the theories discussed in class by participating in a local practicum. The practicum requires degree candidates to work with early childhood education students, teachers and administrators in an experience that often will be documented in a final project.