Online early childhood education degrees in Alabama are offered by the nationally ranked University of Alabama and the regionally ranked University of West Alabama.
Whether you are looking for teacher certification or only a bachelor's degree in education, UA or UWA has a program for you that will build knowledge and skills that lead to the high-quality education care of young children.
Also, consider the other top early childhood education programs found on this page.
Top Early Childhood Education Programs in Alabama
See a list of the top early childhood education programs in Alabama below.
1. University of Alabama
Students can earn their Bachelor of Science in early childhood education degree online at the University of Alabama for $385 per credit hour.
The early childhood education degree program leads to a Pre-Kindergarten: Birth to Age Four Child Development Teaching certificate issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Students will complete several course requirements and an internship to graduate. Example major courses include:
- Preschool Development
- Assessment of Young Children
- Parent and Family Development
2. University of West Alabama
There are two early childhood education degree programs offered at the University of West Alabama.
Students seeking licensure should apply for the online Bachelor of Science in early childhood/elementary education degree program.
An online Bachelor of Science in early childhood development degree program is also available for students who are not interested in state licensure.
Tuition is $325 per credit hour.
Other Top Early Childhood Education Programs
Find other top early childhood education programs offered to Alabama residents below.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University (GCU) provides two online options to earn an early childhood education degree. The online program options include:
- Bachelor of Science in early childhood education
- Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and childhood special education
The programs prepare students for teacher certification in Arizona through coursework, internships, and more. Example core courses include Reading Remediation and Intervention in Early Childhood and Child Development: Prenatal to Adolescence.
After graduates receive an Arizona license, they can apply for reciprocity in Alabama.
Purdue Global
The online Bachelor of Science in early childhood administration degree program at Purdue Global will not qualify graduates for state licensure. Instead it will train them with the necessary skills for education positions outside of the public school system.
Purdue Global's early childhood administration degree program helps students develop a strong foundation in ethics, critical thinking, and communication.
Students will complete course lessons and internships that challenge them to demonstrate their ability to creatively teach young children to graduate.
University of Phoenix
The Bachelor of Science in education/early childhood education degree program prepares graduates for teaching children from birth to age eight or third grade.
The early childhood education degree program leads to state licensure in Arizona. Graduates who want to teach in Alabama can apply for reciprocity after obtaining the Arizona teacher certification.
Transfer credits and the University of Phoenix's scholarship opportunities could significantly lower time and costs. Tuition is $398 per credit hour.
Walden University
Students will complete general, core, and elective courses and a capstone course to graduate for Walden University's Bachelor of Science in early childhood studies (non-licensure) degree program.
Walden University delivers the early childhood studies degree program via tempo learning to provide more flexibility to students with other obligations. The program can be completed in 15 months.
Tempo learning allows students to learn and progress through courses at their own pace through completing competencies for understanding course materials.
FAQs Regarding Early Childhood Education Degrees
The FAQs below may answer your questions regarding early childhood education degrees.
What Is the Best Degree for Early Childhood Education?
A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education degree can be the best.
If you want to become a certified teacher to teach young children up to third grade, find a program that leads to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and to state licensure.
If you have other careers goals in education outside of teaching in a public school, you can find a program that does not lead to state licensure.
How Do You Get Certified in Early Childhood Education in Alabama?
Get certified in early childhood education in Alabama by completing a program offered by the University of Alabama or the University of West Alabama that leads to state licensure.
Is Early Childhood Education the Same as Preschool?
Early childhood education is not the same as preschool. Early childhood education includes learning how to instruct preschool-aged children but also trains you how to teach children up to third grade.
How Much Does an Early Childhood Education Degree Pay?
There are different positions and salaries that an early childhood education degree qualifies you for.
Example job titles and annual salaries in Alabama taken from Salary.com are shown below:
- preschool teachers: $34,950
- head start directors: $73,037
- childcare center directors: $76,032
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Degree in Early Childhood Education?
A degree in early childhood education takes four years to earn in Alabama. It may take less time if you have college credit from another accredited institution that can be transferred.
Earn Your Early Childhood Education Degree
You can find licensure and non-licensure early childhood education degree options from the University of Alabama and the University of West Alabama. You may also want to consider taking advantage of the benefits of online learning by exploring the other colleges listed here offering online early childhood education degrees in Alabama.
