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Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration

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Program at a Glance
  • Gain the skills to provide developmental and learning opportunities for children from birth to age 8, along with the knowledge and practical business skills to take on administrative or leadership roles.
  • There is a growing need for early childcare center directors and nonlicensed teachers who possess a bachelor's degree in the field.*
  • Shorten your path to a master's degree with the accelerated bachelor's to master's option.
COURSE EFFORT 15–18 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 180
COST PER CREDIT $371
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Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration Overview

The online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration is designed to prepare you to become a leader in the early childhood field. This bachelor's degree program blends the theory and practice of childhood development with foundational topics in administration. 

Curriculum provides a strong foundation in ethics, critical thinking, and communication skills for a range of learning environments. Students are also invited to join the Educators Association for further networking and educational opportunities.

Courses are taught by faculty who are professionals in early childhood-related fields and explore:

  • Center-based programs servicing young children
  • Agencies providing or overseeing services to young children
  • Fundamentals of teaching young children
  • Professional development in early childhood programs
  • Owning your own early childhood care or education facility

Accelerated Master’s Degree Options

You can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in public administration, educational psychology, human services, legal studies, or psychology while you earn your bachelor's degree online. Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Note: At this time, residents of Kentucky may not enroll in this program.

Practical Experience

Complete five hours of field experience at an early childhood setting, such as child/day care or a home center.


An internship option allows you to gain real-world experience while you earn your degree online.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

What Can You Do With an Early Childhood Administration Degree?

Prepare for opportunities in a variety of fields, whether you want to operate or own your own early childhood program or manage an early childhood agency or organization.†

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Coordination
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Reading Comprehension
  5. Learning Strategies

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

What Can You Do With an Early Childhood Administration Degree?

Career pathways for graduates of the bachelor's in early childhood administration program could include:

  • Head Start administrator
  • Childcare center director
  • Owner/operator of an early childhood care or education facility
  • Childcare worker
  • After-school program worker
  • Preschool teacher
  • Preschool director
  • Self-employed worker


Accelerated Master’s Degree Options

You can work toward a Purdue Global master’s degree in public administration, human services, legal studies, or psychology while you earn your bachelor's degree online. Complete both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately.


For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

Engage With Fellow Students

Online discussion boards provide the opportunity to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences.


Students are also invited to join the Educators Association for further networking and educational opportunities.

This social science degree is designed to build your knowledge and skills in early childhood growth and development; early childhood education and curriculum; business and management; and early childhood leadership and advocacy.

In your first course, you'll develop your degree plan with a faculty member to align your degree path with your career outcomes.

Sample Courses
  • Early Childhood Curriculum Planning
  • Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health
  • Young Children With Special Needs
  • Early Childhood Family, Community, and Advocacy
  • Funding Development and Financial Planning
See All Early Childhood Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits45
  • Major Credits93
  • Elective Credits42
  • Total Credits180

Ways to Save

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Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Education Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 48% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 264 Faculty publications in 2019–2020
student at desk icon More Than 45,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2019–2020

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2020. 2019–2020 academic year.

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool and Childcare Center Directors, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

†Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

This program will not certify graduates to become licensed teachers, is not intended for individuals who are pursuing a license to teach early childhood education in a public or accredited private elementary school, is not represented as meeting specific state Board of Education criteria for assisting with children and teachers in a public school setting, and was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements for licensure or certification. Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.