BS in Early Childhood Education Online Degree

Yes. The BS in Early Childhood Education is delivered 100% online and asynchronously — no set class times, no commute. You complete coursework on your own schedule. Because this is a Minnesota Teacher Licensure program, students must reside in or near Minnesota — PELSB requires that all field experiences, practicums, and student teaching take place in a Minnesota public school under a Minnesota-licensed teacher. Learn more about the SMSU online experience.

Yes. The program is built for working professionals. Classes are asynchronous, so there are no required meeting times. Full-time students typically carry 12–15 credits/semester; part-time students (6–9 credits) extend the timeline to 3–4 years. Start with a lighter load your first semester and adjust as needed. Contact a Student Engagement Specialist to map out a schedule that works for you.

Completion depends largely on how many transfer credits you bring in. Full-time students without transfer credits typically finish in 4 years; part-time students with transfer credits approximately 3–4 years. Thirty transfer credits — often from community college general education — can cut approximately one semester and $9,699 in tuition. SMSU evaluates your credits during the application process at no extra cost. With five start dates per year (January, March, May, August, October), you can begin on your own timeline.

The 120-credit curriculum covers child growth and development, early literacy, classroom management, play and creative activities, child psychology, assessment, inclusive education, family engagement, and special needs support — spanning birth through third grade. Coursework balances theory with practical application, and you’ll build a professional portfolio throughout the program.

ECE is a strong fit if you enjoy working with children ages 0–8 and find meaning in supporting early learning and development. The license opens roles across PreK, kindergarten, K–3 classrooms, Head Start, curriculum coordination, and childcare direction. Be realistic about the tradeoffs: the work is physically and emotionally demanding, and most positions involve active collaboration with parents and administrators. If you already work in childcare or a preschool, this program formalizes the expertise you’re building on the job.  

SMSU requires a high school diploma or GED, official transcripts from all colleges attended, and a minimum 2.5 GPA (3.0 recommended). There are no entrance exams or ECE prerequisites. The $20 application fee is waivable.

Yes. SMSU accepts transfer credits from accredited institutions, and many students front-load general education requirements (English, math, sciences, social sciences) at a community college first to reduce both cost and time. A grade of C or better is typically required; equivalency is assessed during your application with no extra fee. Thirty transfer credits can save approximately $9,699 and one full semester.

Yes. The program is PELSB-approved, and graduates meet all requirements to apply for Minnesota ECE licensure without additional exams. This license qualifies you to teach in Minnesota public schools, charter schools, Head Start programs, and licensed childcare settings. Because this is a Minnesota licensure program, students must reside in or near Minnesota. All field experiences, practicums, and student teaching must take place in a Minnesota public school under a Minnesota-licensed teacher. See admissions details.

An SMSU ECE license covers children from birth through third grade: infants and toddlers (birth–age 2), preschoolers (ages 3–5), kindergarteners, and first through third graders. This range qualifies you for roles including PreK/preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, grades 1–3 classroom teacher, Head Start instructor, childcare center teacher, and curriculum specialist. The breadth of the birth–3rd grade license makes graduates versatile across early childhood settings.

Tuition is $349.62 per credit hour — $41,954.40 for the full 120-credit program before financial aid or transfer credits. Because this is a licensure program, only Minnesota residents are eligible for in-state tuition rates due to field requirements. Bringing in 30 transfer credits can reduce tuition by approximately $9,699, and federal Pell Grants or SMSU scholarships may further lower your out-of-pocket cost. Use the tuition calculator to estimate your specific cost.

Student teaching is a semester-long (12–16 week) full-time placement built into the final year of the program, required by PELSB for licensure. You co-teach in an actual Minnesota public school classroom alongside a cooperating teacher who serves as your on-site mentor, while completing parallel online seminars and reflective assignments. At the end of the semester, you present your professional portfolio at a final conference demonstrating mastery across core ECE standards. Students must reside in or near Minnesota. All placements must occur in a Minnesota public school under a Minnesota-licensed teacher.

SMSU offers federal financial aid through FAFSA (school code: 002375), institutional scholarships for qualifying students, and military benefits including the GI Bill® and VA education benefits. To explore your federal aid eligibility, complete the FAFSA. Scholarships are available on both merit and need bases. Explore all tuition and aid options.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.