Online Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Administration
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Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Administration Overview
It’s time to earn your early childhood administration degree. Become a leader in the early childhood field and be ready to make an impact on the lives of our nation’s youngest learners.
- 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.
- Earn a credential that can help advance your career — a bachelor’s degree is typically required for preschool and childcare center directors and employers may prefer candidates with a degree in early childhood education.
- Learn from faculty who are professionals in early childhood-related fields.
- Join our Educators Association for networking and educational opportunities.
- Shorten your path to a master’s degree with a graduate program pathway.
Gain Skills That Employers — and Young Children — Need
Be prepared for the following:
- Working with young children in center-based programs
- Providing or overseeing services to children through agencies
- Teaching young children in a variety of settings
- Professional development opportunities in early childhood programs
- Owning your own early childhood care or education facility
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.
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.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
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
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
3-Week Trial
Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Try an undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week trial period.
There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply. That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.
Students who choose to continue at Purdue Global will be billed for the full first term's tuition, including the 3-week trial. See Notes and Conditions below.
Admissions Requirements
You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You must also complete orientation before you start classes.
Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Prepare for the Child Development Associate Credential
The course CE101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education meets the ten hours of training in each of the eight Child Development Associate (CDA) subject areas that are required for the highly regarded CDA credential. Many states require the CDA Credential for those who wish to take on a director of child development role.
The eight areas include:
- Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
- Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
- Supporting children’s social and emotional development
- Building productive relationships with families
- Managing an effective program operation
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
- Observing and recording children’s behavior
- Understanding the principles of child development and learning
Earn Credit for the CDA Credential
If you’ve already earned your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, you may be eligible for credit toward your degree. Students who hold a valid and current CDA credential (preschool, infant-toddler, or family child care) are eligible to receive this credit for the following Purdue Global courses:
- CE101: Introduction to Early Childhood Education — 5 quarter credits
- CE114: Early Childhood Development — 5 quarter credits
- CE220: Child Safety, Nutrition, and Health — 5 quarter credits
For more information on the CDA, see the Council for Professional Recognition website.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Earn Credit for Prior Coursework and Experience
The average bachelor's degree student pays $15k and takes 2.3 years to complete their degree.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.
Prior Work Experience Reduction
You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Undergraduate tuition savings for military include a 55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- What methods do you use to motivate students who are disengaged?
- How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively when handling multiple projects or responsibilities?
- Tell me about a time you had to persuade a parent to see your point of view.
- Describe a lesson that you found particularly effective in engaging students.
- Describe a time you had to manage a challenging situation in your classroom.
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Administrative Support
- Preschool Education
- Communication
- Leadership
- Management
- Planning
- Training
- Operations
- Customer Service
- Problem Solving
- Organizational Skills
- Scheduling
- Administrative Functions
- Teamwork
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
Choosing a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Administration
Become a leader in childhood development and help change lives. Discover the value of pursuing a bachelor’s in early childhood administration.
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.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Administration and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood administration.