This program helps you grow as an intentional practitioner through observation, assessment, purposeful planning and reflective practice. You’ll learn to support early development before kindergarten to help maximize each child’s potential and learning outcomes. Coursework focuses on individualized teaching approaches, effective classroom organization and positive child guidance.
As a graduate, you can make a meaningful impact on young children, families and communities. Many careers increasingly prefer or require a bachelor’s degree, including roles as a childcare professional, childcare center director or instructional specialist. Earning this degree demonstrates advanced preparation to support early learning and child development.
While this program doesn’t lead to teacher certification, it provides a strong foundation for graduate study. You can choose ASU’s online master’s degree in early childhood education to broaden your age specialization or pursue the teacher certification graduate certificate, a two-semester program aligned with Arizona Department of Education requirements.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
This program is designed for newcomers to education, volunteers and experienced professionals working in early childhood settings. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll gain the tools to advocate for and support young children’s development while strengthening your skills in intentional planning and teaching, communication and family-centered practices. Courses offer opportunities to work directly with children from birth to age 5, so you can apply theory in real-world settings.
If you already hold an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in early childhood education, ASU’s online Bachelor of Applied Science in early childhood studies could be a better fit.
Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves time and money while providing advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

Pursue your passion for shaping young minds with an online Bachelor of Arts in Education in educational studies with a concentration in early childhood studies from Arizona State University. This program equips you to promote school readiness and support lifelong learning for children from birth to age 5. You’ll graduate ready to work in diverse educational settings or use this degree as a foundation for graduate study.
Courses explore early child development, education and care. The curriculum includes in-person, practical experiences that allow you to apply what you learn in real early childhood education settings. You can complete these requirements at your current workplace, a volunteer site or another approved location with a Department of Human Services (DHS) license.
The Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation faculty draws from a range of academic disciplines, including cognitive science, psychology and economics. They seek to answer questions about the process of learning, teaching practices and effects of education policy. Our faculty is also committed to connecting research to schools and other learning environments. They ensure teacher and leadership preparation programs combine scholarly rigor with practical application.
Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation brings people and ideas together to increase the capabilities of educators and the performance of education systems. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
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No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”