Gain a deeper understanding of how to help prepare young minds through study and experience with a master’s in early childhood studies.
There are few professions as rewarding as those that involve nurturing the developmental needs of children. Our master’s in early childhood development non-licensure degree program empowers you to deepen your understanding of child development and learning, expand your knowledge of effective programs and services, and enhance your ability to link issues of equity and inclusion to how students learn and grow.
You already have the desire to make a difference. With our master’s-level early childhood development degree, you can gain the knowledge and professional competencies that prepare you for leadership roles, in and out of the classroom.
After the first course, you can take one course at a time, earn your degree faster by taking two courses at once, or choose a combination of the two throughout the program to fit your changing needs.
And Walden now offers two ways to earn your degree. With Tempo Learning® by Walden, you have the option to choose your learning experience depending on your learning style and preferences. Whether you want to study alongside classmates in a traditional course-based program or earn your degree at your pace, there’s an option for you to achieve your dreams.
Prepare for a variety of roles in the early childhood field, including:
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
As the development of high-quality programs and services for young children increasingly becomes a priority, career options in the early childhood field are predicted to grow.
Download our PDF for more information about Early Childhood careers.
Walden University now offers Tempo Learning® by Walden, a custom-paced degree program that puts you in charge.
Study with a respected institution. Our MS in Early Childhood Studies is in The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership at Walden University. Walden is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for a period of 7 years, from April 24, 2012, to June 30, 2019. NCATE accreditation is a nationally recognized standard of excellence in professional education for the preparation of teachers, administrators, and other P–12 school professionals and indicates that a university has met rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public.
In 2013, NCATE merged with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council to form the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is the single specialized accreditor for educator preparation and administers NCATE accreditation. Walden University is eligible for and will seek accreditation based on CAEP standards beginning in fall 2018.
Graduates of the MS in Early Childhood Studies program will be prepared to:
Find detailed information for the Administration, Management, and Leadership specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.
Walden now offers two ways to learn. You can choose to earn your degree through a competency-based format or a course-based format, delivered through Tempo Learning™ by Walden.
With Tempo Learning, you can build on your existing skills, knowledge and experience to customize your learning and earn your degree on your schedule, at your pace. Which option is right for you?
COURSE-BASED
Preset course start and end dates help you manage your schedule over time. Knowing these dates makes it easier to plan ahead in completing your program.
The course-based approach exposes you to new material as well as reinforces and updates your knowledge in areas you’ve already mastered.
Your fellow students will be learning the same material at the same time, so if you find yourself struggling, you can connect with them for additional support.
COMPETENCY-BASED
Complete competencies at your own pace, based on your ability to demonstrate understanding of their content. At the beginning of each term, you will map out your learning goals in partnership with your Academic Coach.
You can use what you already know to accelerate your progress, potentially saving you time and money.
If you find materials challenging, you can slow down and spend additional time with them. You can also raise your hand to get support directly from our Faculty Subject Matter Experts.
Compare highlights of the Tempo Learning™ and course-based formats to decide which best suits your career goals and learning style.
*Cost and time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress. For information on estimating your time to degree completion with Tempo Learning, call an enrollment advisor at 1-855-598-3427.
Walden’s instructors are there to assist in your education. You are never alone in your journey.
My expertise is essential to my employer. Since graduation, I have been called upon in planning, monitoring, and organizing in-service training and professional development for teachers in the visual arts, as well as school leaders.
“Studying with Walden has opened doors in terms of authentic application of my studies to my current teaching career. What I learned at Walden was truly utilized at my job.”
Note on Teacher Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014–2015 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco (viewed online January 30, 2015).
