Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

Reframe Your Education

Become a Life-Changing Educator at Wilson College

No matter who you are or where you come from, a teacher has impacted your life in some way. Teachers have a habit of doing that, in a way few other people do—especially elementary school teachers, who help children develop their perception of the world while their minds are still taking shape. You too can become an impactful, life-changing educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Wilson College Online.

Our online program will equip you with the latest teaching strategies and research-backed classroom practices so you can be a tremendous educator. In addition to the online lessons, our program will provide you with 12 weeks of student teaching experience in Pennsylvania, allowing you to practice your teaching skills in real classrooms as you earn your degree.

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Gain the Tools to Teach at Wilson College Online

Earning your degree in early childhood education from Wilson College will prepare you with specific pedagogical strategies for instructing students from pre-K to fourth grade.

  • Master research-based instructional strategies
  • Develop the ability to manage social-emotional challenges in the classroom
  • Put lesson plans into action in real classrooms as a student-teacher
  • Learn from and be mentored by experienced teaching professionals
  • Earn certification for teaching pre-K to fourth grade in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Reciprocity: Wilson College offers Pennsylvania Level I certification for its education programs. Pennsylvania certification is reciprocal with most of the 50 states. Generally speaking, if you hold a valid PA professional teaching license from a regionally accredited and state-approved teacher preparation program and pass the required state testing, you will be able to obtain a teaching license in another state. Wilson College has not made a determination of requirements for each state, so please click here for detailed requirements on all 50 states. You can view information on how teacher credentials cross state lines here .

What Will You Do With Your Early Childhood Education Degree?

The B.A. in Early Childhood Education will help you earn certification for teaching pre-K to fourth grade in Pennsylvania, allowing you to embark on your teaching career. Earning the degree will prepare you for careers like:

Elementary School Teacher
Median Annual Salary: $70,200

Kindergarten Teacher
Median Annual Salary: $68,250

Education and Child Care Administrator
Median Annual Salary: $48,760

Salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021;
Pennsylvania annual mean wage

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Curriculum & Courses

Major Requirements

The following are the major’s requirements. Students must also fulfill all other requirements in the degree to obtain 120 credits for graduation.

Required Courses

EDU 140

Geography for Educators

3 credit hours

EDU 204

Child Development, Cognition & Learning

3 credit hours

EDU 206

Educational Psychology

3 credit hours

EDU 215

Education - Students With Special Needs

3 credit hours

EDU 238

Pre-K-4 Language & Literacy Development

3 credit hours

EDU 312

Teaching English Learners

3 credit hours

SPE 310

Creating an Effective Classroom Culture

3 credit hours

EDU 336

Teaching Social Studies in Pre-K-4

3 credit hours

EDU 337

Teaching Science in Pre-K-4 Classrooms

3 credit hours

EDU 338

Pre-K-4 Reading, Writing, Assessment

3 credit hours

EDU 339

Teaching Math in Pre-K-4 Classrooms

3 credit hours

EDU 341

Educational Assessment

3 credit hours

EDU 348

Pre-Practicum

3 credit hours

EDU 436

Pre-K to 4 Student Teaching Practicum

3 credit hours

HIS 124

American History to 1877

3 credit hours

HIS 125

American History since 1877

3 credit hours

HIS 101

World History I (Pre-1492)

3 credit hours

- or -

HIS 102

World History II (post-1492)

3 credit hours

MAT 115 (NS)

Introductory Statistics

3 credit hours

- or -

PSY 115 (NS)

Understanding Statistics

3 credit hours

PSY 110 (CC)

Introduction to Psychology

3 credit hours

(1) Biology

3 credit hours

(1) Fine Arts (ART)

3 credit hours

(1) Literature (LIT)

3 credit hours

(1) Math

3 credit hours

PS 120

American Government

3 credit hours

  • Art Workshop
  • Music Workshop
  • PE Workshop
  • Tech Workshop
  • Ethics Workshop

Tuition and Financial Aid

Credit Hour

Summer ’24: $370 per credit hour Fall ’24: $380 per credit hour

Financial Aid

6-14 credits per semester

Choose Electives

Financial assistance and payment plans available

Wilson College Online is committed to making your education as affordable as possible. We’re proud to offer online courses at per credit hour as a private college—which is lower than the national average cost of four-year public universities.

Learn More About Financing Your Degree
Intimate Classes

Student Teaching Placement

Our staff will work with schools in your Pennsylvania district to place you in a student teaching assignment, taking the stress of finding that opportunity off your shoulders.

Flexible Coursework

Flexible Coursework

Asynchronous coursework allows you to work at your own pace with no set class times—enabling you to earn a degree when and where it makes sense for you.

Devoted Faculty

Attentive Faculty

Our devoted faculty truly care about your success, both in the classroom and beyond. Their virtual door is always open for mentorship, career advice, and academic support.

National Recognition

Regional Recognition

Wilson College provides the opportunity for transformative education, which is why U.S. News named the institution among the Top Performers on Social Mobility in the North.

Focus on Social Good

Ethical Education

Our liberal studies emphasis creates agents of justice who fuel meaningful positive change in society. You’ll learn to put your education degree toward social good.

Sense of Belonging

Sense of Belonging

Our online programs honor Wilson’s rich history of providing accessible and inclusive education. No matter your background, you belong at Wilson.

The next class start date is approaching. Don’t wait to apply!

Get Your Degree While You Work

We know you’re more than just a student and you have many responsibilities outside of school. That’s why we offer flexible, asynchronous online courses that allow you to study at your own pace, on your own schedule.

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What You Need for Admission

We believe in equitable education and the individuality of every student. Each student has had their own experiences that have led them to Wilson, and those specific experiences should be weighed when a student is applying for admission.

That’s why Wilson College Online reviews every application on a holistic, case-by-case basis, without any steadfast GPA or standardized test score requirements. Every student’s application is assessed solely on their own merits, not against any hardline admission requirements.

Required Documents for First-Time-in-College Applicants

  • Official high school transcript

Required Documents for Transfer Applicants

  • Official high school transcript
  • Official college transcript(s)
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About Wilson College

Initially founded as an all-women’s college in 1869, Wilson College’s mission is to empower students to be confident critical thinkers, creative visionaries, effective communicators, and agents of justice in their communities. Across all programs and fields of study, the College is fiercely committed to and passionate about providing student-centric education and individualized attention and support to ensure our students succeed.

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