Total Cost * Next Start Date Completion Time † Semester Credits Total Cost * Grow Your Knowledge, Empower Early Childhood Education
Shape the future of education with advanced knowledge in early childhood learning. The M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education at ACE is designed for educators who want to create meaningful learning experiences for young children. This program goes beyond theory, equipping you with evidence-based teaching, innovative curriculum design and educational technology strategies that support developmental growth.
You’ll also gain practical leadership, communication and conflict-resolution skills to effectively collaborate with families, educators and administrators. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role or take on leadership opportunities, this program positions you to make a lasting impact on the next generation of learners.
Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.
The M.Ed in Early Childhood Education program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective provider for young children, engaging them in learning experiences which influence future educational opportunities. In this program, students will explore research that establishes the frameworks for creating supportive environments, selecting age-appropriate strategies, and building relationships between school and families. The coursework emphasizes how developmental standards guide assessments and instructional practices for young children.
Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program. If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.
The Capstone Experience is designed for candidates to demonstrate and document the impact of their knowledge and competencies gained throughout, and as a result of the Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.
Focused on development, this course will explore classic theories of child development while investigating emerging theories in the field. This course establishes an understanding of current practices and concerns relating how they influence a child's environment and future learning experiences.
This course will address the traditional stages of development from infancy through early childhood. Concepts will address developmental milestones, domains of thought, and related theories of growth.
This course prepares educators to implement evidence-based instructional methods and intervention techniques for children with special needs from infancy through grade 2. Candidates develop competencies in designing, adapting, and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies that foster social, emotional, cognitive, communication, adaptive, and motor development across early childhood settings such as home, school, and community.
Addressing content-specific curriculum development, strategies will be introduced to promote development across specific areas of learning. Selected activities will be investigated to promote literacy, social and emotional growth, logical reasoning, and physical development. Pre-Req: EC5423
This course explores current trends in early childhood education by examining public policy, research, professional development relevant to classroom practices, and program management. Creating a connection between theory and current information will help to maintain relevance for the profession.
Exploring developmental and learning needs of children with exceptional learning abilities, the content will address the needs of the gifted, students with exceptional needs, and children with learning disabilities. Strategies will be established to support a variety of learning needs while working with families to foster a consistent learning environment.
Content in this course will include observation strategies and assessment tools used to design curriculum and identify developmental needs of children in the classroom. Methods utilizing assessment and providing guidance for classroom curriculum designed to support the identification of individual learning needs will be considered. Strategies will be aligned to the ongoing development of student portfolios as a form of observation.
This course will address how to establish and support partnerships with families and the community around the school. Content will address how to meet the needs of families, establish connections in the community, and serve as an advocate for early childhood.
Research-based guidance strategies for classroom management are considered. The identification, selection, and support for a variety of methods will be acquired to guide the development of an individualized plan dependent upon the assessed needs of a child.
This methods course takes an action research approach, providing a systematic framework for early childhood professionals to apply data-based decision making for the improvement of their practice. The course differentiates quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods action research with a focus on application of results in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on development of a literature review featuring evidence-based strategies as a part of a research proposal.
We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.
Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.
You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.1
Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free.2 Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.
You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000*. We also award over $1.2M in scholarships and grants each year.
Tuition & ROIWe are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.3 Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.
Success StoriesOur virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.
Support Services
Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.
Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.
Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,3 while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.3
Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.
*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.
All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:
2Internal research conducted November 2025
3Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026
4Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026
Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.
