MS in Early Childhood Studies

Walden University shares your commitment to education, and is dedicated to enhancing educator effectiveness.

Develop the practical strategies and tools required to plan curricula and create caring, respectful learning environments. Walden University is proud to be recognized as the No. 2 granter of early childhood education master’s degrees.1

Tempo Learning Logo

Walden’s MS in Early Childhood Studies (Non-Licensure) program offers two ways to complete your program. Choose from traditional course-based learning or Tempo Learning competency-based options.

Aligned with professional guidelines from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), our program allows you to:

  • Save with our new Believe & Achieve Scholarship™: When you choose the course-based MS in Early Childhood Studies format, receive two tuition-free courses. Save up to $3,810.3

  • Examine the role of play in healthy development and the impact of trauma and mental health issues on children and families.
  • Set your schedule, learning when and how it works best for you.
  • Use your work experience to speed your progress.

Fast Facts

Next Start Date: January 8, 2024

Transfer Credits: Up to 15 credits

Request Free Information

Take the next step. We are here to help. Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Academic Interests
Contact Information

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University and its affiliates and contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden University, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 844-977-8323.

Specializations

Gain broad insights into children’s neurological, social, and emotional development while learning how to create best-practice, child-centered learning environments that foster their resilience and growth.
Sharpen your understanding of effective early learning environments and discover how to use this knowledge to nurture other educators, foster healthy organizational culture, and potentially lead your own early childhood program.
Learn how to apply evidence-based instructional and assessment practices to support student literacy and learning across content areas.

Zero in on teaching and learning at the preschool level, with a focus on planning and implementing lessons and assessments for young learners.

Two Ways to Learn

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

Two ways to learn
Course-Based LearningThe standard, guided pace to earn your degree. Tempo LearningThe flexible pace ideal for some students.
Structured schedule Time Flexible schedule
Deadlines to make steady progress Pace Set your own pace, and speed up or slow down when needed
Pay by the course Tuition All-you-can-learn subscription fee
Faculty guide you through your courses as you earn your degree Support Faculty support when you need it and a personal academic coach
Expert Walden Faculty
Tuition Savings and Financial Aid*
Accreditation
Two ways to learn
Course-Based LearningThe standard, guided pace to earn your degree Tempo LearningThe flexible pace ideal for some students.
Time
Structured schedule Flexible Schedule
Pace
Deadlines to make steady progress Set your own pace, and speed up or slow down when needed
Tuition
Pay by the course All-you-can-learn subscription fee
Support
Faculty guide you through your courses as you earn your degree Faculty support when you need it and a personal academic coach
Expert Walden Faculty
Tuition Savings and Financial Aid*
Accreditation

*May not be available for all degree programs.

More about our MS in Early Childhood Studies program

Prepare for roles in a variety of areas in the early childhood field, including:*

  • Child development instructor
  • Professional development facilitator
  • Lecturer in early childhood studies
  • Childcare administrator
  • Assistant director of a childcare center
  • Director of a childcare center
  • Owner of a childcare center
  • Preschool director
  • Program administrator for early childhood programs

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Program Admission Considerations: All specializations require a bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

 
Walden’s Enrollment Specialists are committed to helping you identify and leverage opportunities to save money on your education. Get in touch with an Enrollment Specialist today at 888-968-5331 to learn more.
Our Enrollment Specialists are ready to answer any questions you may have regarding this program. Fill out the form on this page to be contacted or call 855-203-5779.

Why earn your MS in Early Childhood Studies at Walden?

relevant-curriculum

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Choose the program option that fits your life and learning style—course-based or Tempo Learning competency-based format.

exceptional-student-services

Global Perspective

Join a community of students and faculty with diverse backgrounds and experience.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Services

Benefit from our Writing Center, career services, 24/7 tech support, and more.

relevant-curriculum

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Choose the program option that fits your life and learning style—course-based or Tempo Learning competency-based format.

exceptional-student-services

Global Perspective

Join a community of students and faculty with diverse backgrounds and experience.

exceptional-student-services

Exceptional Student Services

Benefit from our Writing Center, career services, 24/7 tech support, and more.

"Walden is so much more than an online university; it is a university that cares about your success as a person."

Seletha Tucker ’14 | MS in Early Childhood Studies

1Source: 2021 IPEDS data

2Walden's Believe & Achieve Scholarship™ is available for new students starting on February 6, 2023, and later. For a full list of eligible programs and details on award amounts and eligibility visit www.waldenu.edu/financial-aid/grants-and-scholarships-details. Tuition-free coursework must be applied to the final courses in the program of enrollment prior to graduation.

3A 10% tuition reduction combined with Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship is available for new students who are service members, veterans of the U.S. armed forces, or employees of the Veterans Administration who enroll in programs eligible for the Believe & Achieve Scholarship. For programs not eligible for Walden’s Believe & Achieve Scholarship, the tuition reduction is 15% for the life of the program. This tuition reduction is also available if you are a spouse of a service member, veteran, or employee of the Veterans Administration. This tuition reduction cannot be retroactively applied. Tuition reductions are applicable to tuition only and do not apply toward books, materials, and other supplies or fees needed for a course. It may not be combined with other tuition reductions, unless specified in another offer.

Enrollment Restrictions by State: Walden currently cannot enroll residents of the following states/districts into the MS in Early Childhood Studies Program: New York, Rhode Island.

Note on Licensure Teacher Licensure or Certification: This program does not lead to teacher licensure or certification. Teachers are advised to contact their individual childcare setting as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

This early childhood studies degree program requires field experience. Prior to participation in the field experience, the student will be required to purchase and submit documentation of liability insurance. Field sites may have additional requirements (e.g., background checks, fingerprinting, and certain immunizations). It is the student’s responsibility to determine if these requirements would impact their ability to participate in the required field experience.