Online BS in Early Childhood Ed. and Admin. Degree Completion

Program Overview

Take the first step in preparing to shape young minds, focusing on child development theory, curriculum, and leadership training.

Program Format

Online

Accelerated Seven-Week Terms, Six Terms per Year

Degree Options

  • Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program
  • Part and Full Time
  • Requires 39+ Transferable Credits

Time to Complete

1-2 Years

Varies with Credits Transferred

Why Earn an Online Early Childhood Education and Administration Degree from AIC?

The landscape of education is ever-evolving, and each day we discover new ways that learning plays a critical role in children’s development. High-quality early childhood education can have profound and lasting effect on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development and it is apparent that early childhood education is linked to long-term academic success, making it a priority for many communities.   

This coupled with a diverse landscape reflects varying cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds of children and families requiring the need for creating equitable learning environments. Educators who are trained in these areas can better support all children, including those with special needs, and other at-risk populations. The focus on inclusion not only benefits the individual child but also enriches the learning environment for all students, promoting empathy, understanding, and collaboration among peers.

The Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Administration Degree Completion program at American International College is designed to address the need for trained professionals who can implement effective educational practices. While teaching is a crucial aspect, there is an equally important need for skilled administrators who can oversee operations, staff development, budgeting, and community engagement.

What to Expect

  • Let your knowledge lead: Translate your college credits and experience in schools, early childhood education, or youth services to a teaching or counseling career. Many students arrive with years of experience as paraprofessionals, assistants, or coordinators or with insights from non-profits, social services, or community organizations.
  • 100% online accelerated: Progress at your pace with seven-week courses held over six terms per year. Take up to 15 credits per semester.
  • Transfer your knowledge: Let your education and experience work for your future. AIC accepts up to 90 credits from transferable college-level courses and test scores. Transfer your credits to AIC.
  • Integrated hands-on opportunities: Through experiential, community, and service learning opportunities built into your courses, you’ll observe how theories apply in different education and counseling contexts.
  • Support all learners: AIC produces culturally responsive instructors and counselors who not only empower the whole student but also create diverse, inclusive learning environments where everyone is welcome. Throughout, you’ll become familiar with state curriculum standards, assessment tools, literacy instruction, classroom management, and childhood development.
  • Personalized studies: Electives and an area of emphasis direct your studies toward a career in early childhood education, special education and inclusion, cultural and linguistic diversity, or educational leadership and community engagement.
  • Bachelor’s-to-master’s pathway: The Online Early Childhood Education and Administration Degree Completion Program serves as a stepping stone to several AIC Master of Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study programs. Begin graduate licensure preparation immediately following your bachelor’s to enter the classroom sooner.

Program Details

AIC removes roadblocks as you prepare for your new career, counting previous knowledge toward your degree and streamlining the certification process.

  • Demonstrate understanding of typical and atypical child development from birth through age eight, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development.
  • Apply developmental theories and research to create supportive learning environments for young children.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum for young children using evidence-based practices.
  • Incorporate play-based, inquiry-based, and culturally responsive approaches into early childhood education programs
  • Utilize various observation, documentation, and assessment tools to monitor children’s progress and inform curriculum planning.
  • Implement ethical and effective assessment practices that support individual children’s development.
  • Respect the diversity of family structures and cultural backgrounds in educational settings
  • Implement policies and practices that ensure the health, safety, and nutrition of young children in early learning environments.
  • Promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being through curriculum and classroom management strategies.
  • Understand and adhere to local, state, and national laws and regulations governing early childhood education settings
  • Demonstrate knowledge of organizational leadership, program management, and administration in early childhood settings.
  • Manage and lead early childhood programs, including staff development, budgeting, and strategic planning
  • Promote an inclusive environment that respects and supports children and families from diverse backgrounds.
  • Understand the role of public policy in shaping early childhood education practices and opportunities.

Based on credits transferred, students in the online Educational Studies program will take some or all of these courses to receive a bachelor’s degree from AIC:

  • EDU2200: Foundations in Education
  • EDU2055: Explorations in Social-Emotional Learning
  • EDU2100: Explorations in Special Education
  • EDU2103: MTEL Preparation
  • EDU3340: Techniques and Strategies for Teaching Mathematics
  • EDU2400: Teaching Methods for Communication and Language Arts
  • EDU3200: Principles of Education
  • EDU4300: Literacy and Inclusive Excellence
  • EDU3700: Practices of Equity, Intersectionality, and Inclusion in the Classroom
  • EDU3500: Classroom Management & Behavior Analysis for Teachers
  • EDU1300: Child Growth and Development
  • EDU3650: Teaching Methods for Inquiry-Based Social Studies, History and Science
  • EDU2300: Foundations of Multicultural Education and Diversity
  •  EDU4847: Senior Capstone Project
  • SRM3203: Sports Psychology
  • SRM3211: Legal Issues in Sports and Recreation Management

Please reference the current catalogfor all course descriptions.

Students who have completed an associate degree and/or have earned a minimum of 39 credits at an accredited institution are eligible to apply to AIC’s Online Degree Completion Programs. Review all requirements before applying and learn how to contact our team with any questions.

Students in AIC’s Online Degree Completion program benefit from a flexible per-credit tuition rate*. Review a breakdown of all costs for the upcoming year, as well as an estimation of what you could pay.

Made for working adults, our fully Online Degree Completion Programs guide interested, changemaking professionals right where they need to be. Here’s how we do it

  • Generous transfer policies: Knowledge from your previous education, including a completed associate degree, applies to your studies here. Less time spent on general requirements lets you focus more on serving your future students.
  • Accelerated schedule: Compared to a traditional semester schedule, seven-week blocks cover more material in less time while offering multiple reentry options.
  • Online courses: Study wherever you are, when it’s convenient, with lectures and assignments you can fit around work, family, and other obligations.
  • Close guidance: Our advisors and faculty-scholars point you forward with a personalized degree plan that limits redundancies and aligns service projects with your career goals.
  • Experiences that count: Our community/campus experiences offer early field exposure that helps define your journey into the PK-12 environment.
  • Toward a master’s: Many students extend their studies in one of our MEd programs, completing all requirements to qualify for an initial teaching or counselor license in Massachusetts after just one year.
  • No textbooks: Open educational materials make learning convenient while cutting down on the overall cost of your degree.

Have a Question?

As you plan your return to school, you may have some questions. An answer about courses, requirements, or anything else on your mind is just an email or phone call away.

Abbie Rudnyai, MEd
Advising Officer, School of Education

Phone: 413.654.1726
Email: abbie.rudnyai@aic.edu
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Abbie Rudnyai

Academic and Career Support

Whether you’re on-campus or online, AIC is with you every step of the way. Our academic support programs offer help where you need it, enrollment to graduation.

What Can You Do with an Online Early Childhood Education and Administration Degree?

Job Titles

An online bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Administration prepares you for roles as an:

  • Academic advisor
  • Family education specialist
  • Family engagement specialist
  • Instructional aide
  • Paraprofessional
  • Youth program coordinator

With a master’s in a related area, our students qualify to take the MTEL and begin careers as elementary, middle, or high school teachers or school counselors.

Salary Expectations

Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, median salaries for careers in the education field include:

Where Our Graduates Work

Engage and drive learning outcomes in:

  • Community and municipal organizations
  • Community education programs
  • Non-profits
  • PK-12 schools
  • Post-secondary settings
  • Social service agencies

Related Programs

From directing organizations to leading positive health outcomes, several influential, people-focused careers begin with AIC’s Online Degree Completion Programs. Explore these other avenues.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Join generations of AIC education graduates guiding the success of Massachusetts schools.