What Jobs Can I Get with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education Degree?

Secondary Education

First and foremost, a career in teaching early childhood is noble and requires commitment. The need for highly-skilled and passionate early childhood educators is being confirmed more and more by research.

John Hopkins University found that birth through three years of age is when the human brain develops the vast majority of its neurons, literally, the ability to take in new information and capacity to learn. The research powerhouse reports that forming new active neuron pathways during those critical years is vital to our development and learning for the rest of life.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in “A Call for Excellence in Early Childhood Education” confirms John Hopkins University’s findings of early childhood education stating that developmentally appropriate learning during those ages leads to short- and long-term positive effects on intellectual, emotional, and social health.

A degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) can help you gain the knowledge and develop the skills to fulfill one of the most satisfying and influential roles in a child’s life. The fact is, our future is in the hands of our teachers.

With a heart for the little ones and the knowledge that our universities are designing more early childhood programs to respond to the incredible need for high-quality education during the critical early years, you can have confidence there will be a school just right for your training and jobs when you complete your degree.

To work with preschoolers requires at least a certificate or associate’s degree. With a certificate, you can work in most childcare centers, family day care, hospitals, or become a teacher’s assistant, whereas an associate’s degree will allow you to work as a preschool teacher.

Why then spend the money and time to earn a bachelor’s?

Earning a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education increases your marketability, job prospects, and your earnings. With a bachelor’s degree and licensure, you are qualified for all early childhood jobs, public or private schools, non-profit organizations, and child-care centers.

We recommend earning a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) because it can help you gain the knowledge and develop the skills necessary to fulfill one of the most satisfying and influential roles in a child’s life; and the fact is, our future is in the hands of our teachers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, at least 50 percent of all preschool teachers in Head Start programs nationwide must have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. In public schools, preschool teachers are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field.

Private schools usually do not require degrees or licenses, but having one is an advantage and offers credibility to you and the school community. Some schools offer a licensure or non-licensure track such as University of Missouri – Columbia, ranked #14 in our Top 35 Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations.