Chaminade University of Honolulu

School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Early Childhood Education (Online Program)

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B.S. Early Childhood Education (Online Program)

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#18 Best Online Early Childhood Education Degree Programs (Intelligent, 2025)

#5 Best Online Early Childhood Education Programs of 2023 (Best Colleges, 2024)

#7 Best Online Early Childhood Education Degrees of 2024 (Forbes Advisor)

Across the state and nation, early childhood education teachers are in high demand—and there’s little wonder why. It takes incredibly special people to work with the youngest students.

You’ve got to be patient, caring and warm. You’ve got to know how to embrace the chaos, realize that fancy clothes are overrated and be ready to deal with tears and infectious giggles—sometimes all at once. And, most importantly, you’ve got to be able to make learning fun and engaging with lessons that strengthen cognitive, emotional and physical development.

In other words, working in early childhood education isn’t easy.

But the rewards are priceless. Study after study has shown the critical importance of high-quality early learning programs in building the foundations for success in school and in career. In other words, a robust early learning program can change a child’s life.

As an early childhood educator, you’ll have the awesome responsibility—and the incredible privilege—to create positive, stimulating and practice-informed learning experiences for young children. Your mission: Instill children with a joy to learn.

That, of course, is no small task. But we’ll help you get there.

Our Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree is aligned with state requirements and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards.

Upon completion of the undergraduate B.S. program in Early Childhood Education, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of learner development, learner differences, diverse students and the learning environment to optimize learning for Early Childhood students.  
  2. Describe central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the subject matter disciplines for Early Childhood students.  
  3. Utilize formative and summative assessments, to determine, select, and implement effective instructional strategies for Early Childhood students.  
  4. Analyze the values, commitments, and ethics of the teaching profession within the school community.  
  5. Explain the Marianist tradition of providing an integral, quality education within diverse learning communities.
Required Coursework

Students working toward a Bachelor’s degree must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework, which includes general education requirements, electives, pre-major requirements (if applicable) and major requirements.

Pre-Major Requirements
  • PSY 202 Child Development
  • ED 101 Introduction to Chaminade ECE*
  • ED 215 Music, Art & Creative Movement in Early Childhood Education
  • ED 217 Health & Family Issues in ECE
  • ED 233 Intro to Early Childhood Education I

*Prior to taking any early childhood courses, it is required that the student ED 101 Introduction to Chaminade Early Childhood Education course.

Major Requirements
  • ED 222 Educational Technology
  • ED 413 Childrens’ Literature
  • ED 433 Developmentally Appropriate Practice I
  • ED 434 Developmentally Appropriate Practice II
  • ED 471 Language Arts: Curriculum & Methods
  • ED 473 Math Curriculum & Methods
  • ED 474 Curriculum Foundations
  • ED 479 Leadership & Guidance in Ed
  • ED 491A Seminar
  • ED 491B Seminar
  • ED 498A Fieldwork Experience
  • ED 498B Fieldwork Experience

Note: Fieldwork experience and Seminar must begin within two terms of the last major requirement course completion. ED 491A and ED 498A must be taken concurrently in the winter or summer term and ED 491B and 498B taken in the following spring or fall term.

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Faculty

Our faculty members are leaders in their fields. They believe in the power of personal experience—stressing mentorship, collaboration and project-based learning inside and outside the classroom.

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Accreditation

Chaminade University of Honolulu is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Chaminade University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.