Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education (Licensure)
What Is a Master’s in Early Childhood Education?
GCU’s Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is an online(See disclaimer 1) program designed for candidates pursuing initial teacher licensure. Offered by the College of Education, the program focuses on teaching and supporting young learners from birth through third grade.
Students examine typical and atypical child development, instructional planning, assessment, literacy, the science of reading, classroom environments and teaching methods across early childhood content areas. The program also includes required in-person practicum and student teaching experiences.
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
- Undergraduate Degree*
- 2.8+ GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- GMAT: 500
- GRE: 300 combined**
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
What To Expect in the Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education
GCU’s MEd in Early Childhood Education combines online(See disclaimer 1) graduate coursework with in-person practicum and student teaching experiences for candidates pursuing initial teacher licensure. The program examines child development, instructional planning, assessment, literacy, family engagement and teaching methods for learners from birth through third grade through GCU’s Christian worldview.
The MEd in Early Childhood Education Program Experience
Online Coursework
The MEd in Early Childhood Education requires 47 credits. Online(See disclaimer 1) courses are generally six weeks in length, allowing students to complete the academic portion of the program through GCU’s online learning environment.
Early Childhood Practicum
Students complete Birth through Preschool Early Childhood Practicum, a six-week course that includes 30 practicum/field experience hours in a birth through preschool setting.
Student Teaching
The program also includes Student Teaching – Pre-K to Age 8/Grade 3. This eight-credit course is 15 weeks in length and provides an in-person student teaching experience.
Initial Teacher Licensure
This program is designed to lead to initial teacher licensure. Licensure requirements vary by state, so candidates should review the State Disclosures that apply to the location where they intend to seek licensure or employment.
What Will I Study in a Master’s in Early Childhood Education Program?
The MEd in Early Childhood Education curriculum examines child development and instructional practices for supporting learners from birth through third grade. Students study instructional planning and assessment, literacy development, the science of reading, classroom environments, family engagement and methods for teaching language arts, social studies, arts and STEM content.
Core Areas of Study
Key areas of study include:
Typical and atypical child development
Instructional planning and assessment
Health, safety and nutrition in early childhood
Structured English immersion
Phonics and the science of reading
Family engagement and cultural awareness
Positive early childhood learning environments
Literacy intervention and remediation
ELA, social studies and arts instructional methods
STEM instructional methods
Teaching and supporting children with exceptionalities
Licensure vs. Non-Licensure
This MEd in Early Childhood Education is designed for candidates pursuing initial teacher licensure. Candidates who already hold a teaching license or do not need initial licensure for their intended role may want to explore GCU’s non-licensure MEd in Early Childhood Education. Licensure and employment requirements vary by state and employer. Review the requirements that apply to your intended role before selecting a program.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Early Childhood Education?
GCU’s MEd in Early Childhood Education is designed for candidates pursuing initial teacher licensure and provides graduate study focused on teaching and supporting young learners from birth through third grade.
After completing the degree and meeting applicable state licensure requirements, graduates may explore teaching opportunities in settings such as:
Preschool and early childhood programs
Kindergarten classrooms
Early elementary classrooms
Other education settings serving young learners
Median annual wage for kindergarten and elementary school teachers as of May 2025(See disclaimer 2)
Number of new openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers projected by 2035(See disclaimer 3)
Programmatic and Institutional Accreditation for the MEd in Early Childhood Education
GCU’s Master of Education in Early Childhood Education has received programmatic accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).
Grand Canyon University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition and Financial Options For the Master’s in Early Childhood Education
GCU offers tuition and financial resources to help students understand the potential costs associated with earning the MEd in Early Childhood Education online.(See disclaimer 1) Review current tuition information, financial resources and cost-of-attendance tools when planning for graduate study.
Ways To Save
Your education is an important financial investment, and there are several ways to help manage costs while earning your degree. GCU’s university counselors are available to help you explore available options and provide personalized guidance on your estimated cost of attendance.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine eligibility for federal grants and student loans. Since some aid is awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis, GCU recommends submitting the FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1 to maximize funding opportunities.
If you’ve earned college credits from another institution, you may be able to complete your degree sooner at GCU by transferring those credits. Submit the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation form, then connect with a university counselor who can provide you with personalized guidance.
You may be able to reduce your college costs by applying for GCU’s on-campus or online student scholarships. We invite you to explore available institutional scholarships and determine which opportunities you may be eligible for. GCU also encourages students to seek out third‑party scholarships and grants.
Explore Your Financial Options
Connect with a university counselor to learn more about tuition, cost-planning resources and available options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore common questions about GCU’s MEd in Early Childhood Education, including initial teacher licensure, online(See disclaimer 1) learning, age ranges and practicum and student teaching requirements.
Does the MEd in early childhood education lead to teacher licensure?
Is a master’s in early childhood education worth it?
Can I earn a master’s in early childhood education online?
What age and grade levels does the MEd in early childhood education focus on?
What practicum and student teaching experiences are required?
What Are the Admission Requirements for the Master’s in Early Childhood Education?
Admission requirements for GCU’s MEd in Early Childhood Education vary based on previous education, GPA, transfer status and other qualifying criteria. Prospective students should also review the program’s licensure requirements and State Disclosures before applying.
You can apply to a degree program at GCU in just three simple steps. Your university counselor is standing by to assist you with any questions about the application process.
It starts with selecting the program that aligns with your goals from one of GCU's 380+ academic programs — from undergraduate degrees to post-master’s certificate programs to doctoral degrees.
Pick your program
Explore our on-campus, online or evening cohort options under the Degree Programs page to find the right program for you.
Complete our online application
Your university counselor will direct you to the online application. Fill in all required information and submit the form.
Submit supporting documents
Submit your official transcripts and any relevant test scores, and confirm with your university counselor that all forms for your desired program are submitted.
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Explore GCU’s online MEd in Early Childhood Education, including coursework, practicum and student teaching requirements and initial teacher licensure information.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the "Accreditation and Compliance/State Disclosures” link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state’s licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
Excluding observational and practice-based experiences and student teaching.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers as of May 2025, retrieved October 2026. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as kindergarten and elementary school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- Data shown is effective August 2026, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, retrieved October 2026.
Approved and verified accurate by the Dean of the College of Education on Oct. 19, 2026.