An early childhood education degree is a program of study that prepares individuals to work with young children, typically from birth to age eight. The degree program focuses on the education, development, and care of children during their early years, and it includes courses on child psychology, child development, curriculum design, teaching methods, and early childhood education policies and practices.
Early childhood education degree programs can be found at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels, and they may be offered in traditional or online formats. Graduates of these programs may pursue careers in various settings, such as preschools, kindergartens, childcare centers, and elementary schools. They may work as teachers, administrators, program coordinators, curriculum designers, or child development specialists, among other roles.