If you’re passionate about early childhood education and desire to make a research-based impact in the field, then you might consider pursuing a PhD in Early Childhood Education.
With this terminal degree, professionals can gain the knowledge and credentials to make strides in educational research and even help teach the next generation of educators.
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With the rewarding prospect of growing professional expertise and qualifications, this degree may be promising for those interested in the educational development of children from birth to age 8.
PhD in Early Childhood Education Programs Online
A PhD in Early Childhood Education focuses heavily on early childhood learning theories and research methodologies.
This type of program is typically designed to prepare graduates for research positions or college faculty careers, so it centers on subjects like the following:
- Instruction and leadership
- Child psychology and learning ecology
- Curriculum development and implementation
- Research methodologies and data interpretation
Students may also learn about program design and evaluation, educational policy, learning technology, and applied research skills.
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You may have the opportunity to engage in robust field experience, where you could work with active researchers, early childhood educators, and children from diverse backgrounds. During field experience, you might help actively develop educational policy and programming. Alongside this, you may learn how to analyze empirical data and how to effectively communicate research results.
PhD students may also be exposed to specializations in early childhood development, such as:
- Developmental disabilities
- Autism
- Support systems
- Preschool programming
This degree is a strategic step for professionals seeking employment at a college or university or seeking publication in top-tier research journals.
A PhD in Early Childhood Education could also be beneficial for policy-making roles in government, local school districts, or non-profit organizations. It’s also common for graduates to go on to work in education administration positions.
Some graduates become involved in directing early childhood education centers, where they focus on program development and implementation or designing learning programs.
Early Childhood Education Careers and Salaries
A doctorate degree in early childhood education is a research-intensive degree that may lead to several career paths in the field of research and education.
Often, graduates of early childhood education PhD programs enter educational research positions or become faculty members at a university or college. They may become postsecondary early education teachers and conduct original research.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of some positions related to the advanced study of early childhood education.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 |
| Administrative Services Managers | $100,170 |
| Top Executives | $98,980 |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $98,420 |
| Facilities Managers | $97,930 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $96,910 |
| Postsecondary Teachers | $79,640 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $63,740 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers | $61,350 |
| Preschool and Childcare Center Directors | $47,310 |
Professionals with a PhD in Early Childhood Education may also choose to assume leadership or administrative positions in educational settings.
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Graduates may go on to become chief learning officers, principals, or school superintendents. Some even work with school districts in a policy-making capacity.
Early Childhood Education PhD Curriculum & Courses
While the specific courses in early childhood education doctoral programs can differ, here are some examples of the types of courses you may encounter:
- Development of Early Learning: This course overviews children’s intellectual and emotional development and the impact educational environments have on the learning process.
- Curriculum Investigation: Practice and Theory: This course overviews advanced practices in curriculum design as well as the development of a personal curriculum theory.
- Paradigms of Early Education and Curriculum Design: This course analyzes curriculum design and illustrates how educators use sequencing and scope throughout semesters.
- Research Methodology: This course examines advanced tools of research, research design, methodologies, and the effective communication of research results.
- Analytical Methods: This course overviews research methods for analyzing empirical data, including the interpretation of data, statistical signs and procedures, and methods of analysis.
- Policy Studies in Early Education: This course overviews educational and social policymaking issues and includes case material from administrative agencies, legislation, and more.
- Ecology of Early Learning: This course examines the link between health and care and early learning and intelligence.
- Field-Based Project: This course provides students with an opportunity to evaluate, develop, and implement curriculum in an educational setting.
- Special Education: This course overviews curricular and ecological modifications necessary to promote development of individual children’s needs, with a focus on developmental delays and at-risk children.
- Dissertation Implementation, Analysis, and Writing: This course focuses on data collection, collaborative critiques, analysis, and writing in relation to your dissertation proposal.
Some programs also require you to complete more than one field-based project as well as a qualifying exam.
How to Choose an Online Early Childhood Education Doctorate Program
Much like when considering an online masters in early childhood education program, when choosing an online early childhood education doctorate program, there are several considerations to keep in mind, including:
- Accreditation. As with other degrees in education online, regional accreditation offers quality assurance that your school meets certain professional standards. You can also see if your PhD program is accredited or recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- Reputation. An online program that’s been around for at least a couple years has had a chance to improve its processes. You can also check student testimonials to see if they found a particular program’s offerings and faculty effective and professional.
- Technologies for online learning. You can check whether a program has access to technologies—such as Canvas or Moodle—that allow you to attend class virtually.
- Access to resources. Does the school offer access to online videos, scholarly journals, or personalized library assistance?
- Thorough curriculum. A full curriculum, plus goals and outcomes for a program, should be available upon request.
- Job placement. You can inquire about job placement programs for graduates, and you could even speak with alumni regarding the career process post-graduation.
When pursuing a PhD, it is important that you have tools and resources at your disposal to help you excel, especially in an online learning environment.
Admissions Requirements
While admissions requirements for early childhood education PhD programs can vary depending on the school, common requirements include:
- Masters degree and official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Personal essay or statement
- Interview with faculty
A growing number of schools no longer require GRE or GMAT scores, but you can check with your school to see if you need them for admission. Some PhD programs also require writing samples, such as professional reports or academic papers.
Accreditation
Determining whether a potential school is accredited is an important step to take before applying. In essence, accreditation is quality assurance that your university meets professional education standards.
Regional accreditation is considered the most prestigious and widely recognized type of accreditation. The accreditation status of your grad school could affect not only your employability but also your ability to receive financial aid.
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You can learn more about regional accreditation and verify schools’ accreditation statuses on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Many students require financial assistance to complete a doctoral degree in early childhood education. Common types of aid include federal aid, state aid, scholarships, grants, and employer benefits.
A variety of scholarships and grants are available to students who qualify based on various factors, such as their need, merits, location, and type of studies. Student loans may also be available from the federal and state governments.
To apply and determine your eligibility for federal aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What Is a PhD in Early Childhood Education?
A PhD in Early Childhood Education is a research-intensive degree designed to prepare students for research positions, college or university faculty careers, or education administration roles.
This degree focuses heavily on early learning theories, research methodologies, instruction and leadership, child psychology, and curriculum development and implementation. Professionals seeking university faculty employment, publication in research journals, or policy-making roles in government or non-profit organizations may find this to be a supportive degree path.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Early Childhood Education?
Graduates of early childhood education PhD programs often become educational researchers or faculty members at a university or college. Aside from postsecondary teaching and conducting original research, graduates may also assume leadership or administrative positions in educational settings.
Some graduates focus on developing and implementing curricula as an instructional coordinator. Others work as elementary principals, chief learning officers, program directors, or school superintendents. Those in leadership roles may also work with a school district and influence policymaking.
How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Early Childhood Education Online?
Generally, a doctoral program takes 3 to 5 years to complete, depending on the number of credit hours required and how long it takes to complete a dissertation. If no dissertation is required, a doctoral program can generally be completed in 3 years with full-time enrollment, which may include enrollment during the summer.
Most PhD programs include a dissertation component, which could extend the length of your studies. A dissertation usually consists of original research, a written paper, and a defense of your completed work to specific faculty. Part-time enrollment could also extend your time to completion.
What’s the Difference Between an EdD vs. PhD in Early Childhood Education?
While a Doctor of Education (EdD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Early Childhood Education may appear similar, they are very different in scope.
- EdD in Early Childhood Education: This degree aims to prepare graduates for educational leadership roles in schools, government agencies, and more. This degree focuses on applying research.
- PhD in Early Childhood Education: This degree focuses on preparing graduates to conduct their own research in the field. PhD graduates often pursue positions in research and postsecondary academia.
PhD programs focus more on conducting research, while EdD programs focus more on applying research in various settings.
Is an Online PhD in Early Childhood Education Worth It?
Yes, an online PhD in Early Childhood Education is worth it for many students. Professionals who pursue a PhD in this field are often interested in advancing their professional expertise and qualifying for advanced research, teaching, or leadership positions.
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Some graduates go on to affect school policy, lead as educational administrators, or teach future educators at a college or university. The overall education field is projected to see continued steady growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of postsecondary teachers is forecasted to grow 12% over the next ten years. This is considered much faster than the average for all occupations.
Universities Offering Online PhD in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American College of Education offers an online program for a Doctor of Education in Leadership with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. On average, the 64 required credits are completed in 36 months of full-time study. The program offers several start dates throughout the year.
American College of Education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
East Tennessee State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Early Childhood Education program online. The program is designed to help prepare for careers as a teacher, researcher, or administrator in diverse educational settings. The program aims to combine flexible class schedules with occasional required intensives on-campus each semester. With full-time study, it typically takes 5 years to complete the program.
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Morehead State University offers a Doctor of Education with a concentration in Exceptional Child Leadership. On average, the 60 required credit hours are completed in as few as 3 years of full-time attendance.
Morehead State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Texas Woman’s University offers an online PhD program in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. The program utilizes a hybrid online and on-campus learning model. The program is designed to help prepare for careers in settings like universities, schools, school district offices, politics, government agencies, or research facilities.
Texas Woman’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. (Hybrid)
The University of Alabama–Birmingham offers a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education program online. Available concentrations include Curriculum, Early Intervention and Young Children at Risk, or Literacy. Courses typically teach topics like human development, curriculum design, community and social needs, and research methods.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Colorado–Denver offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Human Development. The program is designed to teach the knowledge and skills needed for a potential career in teaching or in leadership roles in a variety of educational settings. Courses typically combine traditional classroom instruction, hands-on research opportunities, teaching field experiences, and dissertation study.
CU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Walden University offers a PhD in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy online program. The curriculum is designed to teach the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to excel in non-licensure leadership roles in educational settings. A minimum of 86 credit hours of coursework, research, capstone, and dissertation courses are required.
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your Doctorate in Early Childhood Education Online
Earning a doctoral degree in early childhood education online could be a flexible, convenient way to earn a terminal degree while maintaining your work life.
You might consider earning a PhD in this field if you’re passionate about advancing research in early childhood education and teaching. Some graduates go on to become college professors, helping teach the next generation of educators and researchers. Others end up affecting educational policy in school districts.
From direct field experience to virtual classroom instruction, you may also be able to experience diverse learning environments to help propel your research to new heights.
Why not start exploring accredited PhD programs in early childhood education today?
