Online Doctorate in Early Childhood Education

Doctorates in early childhood education typically come in two forms: the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). At some universities, students may earn a specialization in early childhood education as a component of a more generalized doctorate in education or curriculum and instruction.

The coursework required to earn an Ed.D. is tailored to offer an applied approach to early childhood learning. An Ed.D. focuses on helping students develop research-based methods to teaching, assessment of and instructional design for young children.

A Ph.D. in early childhood education, however, focuses on the theories of teaching and learning. This academic degree prepares students to contribute original ideas to topics such as cognitive development, literacy and language acquisition, and the psychology or sociology of childhood.

In practice, the Ed.D. and Ph.D. in early childhood education overlap a great deal, with both degrees preparing graduates to work on developing education policy and training new generations of educators.

A handful of schools offer online early childhood education doctorate degrees. Some online programs require short, on-campus stays where students can connect and network with classmates and meet with faculty instructors and advisors. Some programs also require students to participate in teaching or research internships, which may require attendance at a local campus or educational facility.

Although a master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission to many programs, some schools do require it. Consult any prospective school's admissions advisor for specific criteria.

Doctoral programs in early childhood education are typically composed of two phases. During the first portion, students complete core coursework and elective classes in their area of specialization. Coursework usually takes two to three years, and any required internships are usually carried out during this time. Once coursework is complete, students must pas oral and/or written exams to demonstrate their academic competency in the field.

In the second phase, students turn their focus toward the dissertation. These projects are based on original research, and completion of dissertations range from two to three years. Students are required to defend their dissertation in front of a faculty committee before graduating.

Finding the right online doctorate in early childhood education requires extensive research. Start the search by browsing the online schools below and request additional information from any school of interest.