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The online master’s degree in early childhood education from MU can help you better design, implement and evaluate educational services for children from birth through age 8, especially those with special needs and those with challenging behaviors. If you want to advance or recharge your teaching career, this may be the degree for you.
This program does not provide early childhood certification, nor does it provide the initial certification required to become a teacher.
Top-ranked programs in two categories
Mizzou’s online master’s in education programs ranked among the nation’s finest in two U.S. News & World Report 2023 categories.
Quick facts
Official name
Master of education in learning, teaching and curriculum with an emphasis in early childhood educationCampus
Program type
Master's degreeAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Learning, Teaching and CurriculumDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation CouncilCredit hours
30Estimated cost
$16,050.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
This degree has potential benefits for
- Child-care center staff workers
- Early childhood practitioners
- Early childhood special education teachers
- Head Start teachers
- Kindergarten or primary-grade teachers
- Preschool teachers
Program structure
Delivery of this program is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required.
Courses are semester-based. Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish in two years.
This program emphasizes
- Working with diverse groups of children and families
- Working with children with disabilities, including autism
- Implementing appropriate assessment methods
- Creating inclusive classrooms
- Promoting and enhancing language and early literacy development
- Positive approaches to addressing children's social and emotional development
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2 yearsTypical course load
1 or 2 classes each semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.