Early Childhood Care and Education

Degree Completion

Overview

URI’s Early Childhood Care and Education program is a fully-online accelerated program that is ideal for those working in childcare, or elementary education teachers looking to advance their career.

This accelerated program is designed to help working professionals complete their bachelor’s (with Pre K-2 teaching certificate eligibility) increase their earnings and secure employment.

This program meets the educational requirements for licensure as an Early Childhood Educator in the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland. URI has not determined whether the curriculum for this program meets the educational requirements for licensure in any other states or territories.

Courses

EDC 326: Early Childhood Curriculum I & Practicum
EDC 421: Early Language and Literacy Development
EDC 336: Early Childhood Curriculum II & Practicum
EDC 424: Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades
EDC 402: Education with Children of Special Needs
EDC 328: Home, School, and Community Partnerships
EDC 461: Assessment in Early Childhood
EDC 426: Early Childhood Curriculum III
EDC 350: Primary School Practicum

Curriculum document for Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Completion progam.

View full curriculum here.

Tuition per credit based on 2023/2024 academic year rates (subject to change): $610

Admissions

An associate degree (60 credits) at CCRI or an NE community college or a college that has an agreement with URI’s School of Education/CEPS; or equivalent academic experience at the college level.
Minimum GPA of 2.75
- Completion of pre-professional courses with a grade of C or better.
Meets basic competencies: the RIDE requirement
- Passing Praxis I
- OR SAT, Old SAT, or ACT
- OR Completing Reading (EDC 281), Writing (EDC 282), and Math (EDC 280) or equivalent basic competency courses with a C or higher

Students in this program are typically:

Currently employed in early childhood care and education (e.g., Child care teachers, practitioners, Family child care providers, early childhood educators in the field)
Related workers in the area of early childhood education
Non-traditional, adult learners (approx. 25 years of age or older)
Current or previous Military/Veteran status who are motivated in early childhood education
Requiring flexibility and accessibility in order to successfully complete this degree program.

Readmission
Applicants who have previously registered for courses at URI as a degree-seeking student are considered at readmission and must apply using the Readmission Application and provide additional materials. Learn more.

Fall 2025 Dates

4/1Priority Deadline

8/5Application Deadline

Preschool teacher with children playing with didactic toys.

Career Opportunities

Advance your career with URI Online.

Professionals with an early childhood care and education degree can pursue rewarding careers as preschool teachers, childcare center directors, or early intervention specialists. They may also work as child development specialists, family support specialists, or curriculum developers, contributing to the holistic development of young children in various settings. With their expertise, they play a vital role in shaping the foundation of children’s learning and well-being during their formative years.

Preschool
Teacher

Create engaging learning environments, develop age-appropriate curriculum, and nurture the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children.

Navajo indigenous teacher helping her students with their classwork

Childcare Center
Director

Oversee the daily operations of the facility, manage staff, ensure compliance with regulations, and create a safe and enriching environment for the children under their care.

Early Childhood Program Coordinator

Plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive educational programs for young children, ensuring they meet developmental milestones and adhere to regulatory standards.