M.Ed. in Early Childhood Administration and Leadership: Lead the Programs That Shape Children's Futures
NLU's online M.Ed. in Early Childhood Administration prepares you to direct, manage, and improve early childhood programs, from community childcare centers to public school pre-K, without leaving your current role, and no teaching license is required.
- No Teaching License Required
- 100% Online
- Program Leadership Focus
- CAEP-Accredited NCE
Request More Information
Program at a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Direct and improve early childhood programs
- Manage budgets, facilities, and legal compliance
- Hire, supervise, and develop staff
- Write grants and fund your program
- Build family and community partnerships
- Lead quality improvement and accreditation efforts
Full Course List
Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in any field (no teaching license required)
- Standard NCE graduate admission requirements
- Online application at nl.edu with official transcripts
- An advisor helps you choose the standard or higher-education track
- Higher Education Concentration requires EC experience and an interview
The ECA program has helped me put my early childhood education philosophies and perspectives into words and action. When I first started this degree program, I was content just being in an administrator role, but now I feel as though I may need to do more, whether that is opening my own center or working at the state level.
Any bachelor's degree qualifies, opening the program to childcare directors, Head Start staff, and EC nonprofit leaders.
Build the administrative and leadership skills early childhood programs need.
The Higher Education Concentration prepares you to teach early childhood at the college level, a rare option in the field.
Where Will Your Degree Take You?
The M.Ed. prepares graduates for leadership across the early childhood ecosystem, preschool and childcare center director, Head Start administrator, early childhood coordinator, and policy advocate, with a higher-education faculty path through the concentration track.
Early childhood instructional coordinators earn a median salary of $74,720 (BLS, May 2024), and the field needs qualified leaders, with 65 percent of children under five enrolled in early childhood programs.
How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps
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Request Information
Submit the form above. An NLU enrollment advisor will reach out within one business day.
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Connect With an Advisor
Your advisor helps you choose the standard track or the Higher Education Concentration and confirms your eligibility.
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Apply and Start Classes
Submit your application at nl.edu with no application fee and a bachelor's transcript, no teaching license required. Next start: September 21, 2026.
Take the First Step
No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path into early childhood leadership.
Take the First Step- No Teaching License Required
- 100% Online
- Program Leadership Focus
- CAEP-Accredited NCE
*Salary data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Instructional Coordinators (SOC 25-9031) and Preschool and Childcare Center Directors (SOC 11-9031), May 2024.
**Curriculum, credential, and accreditation: National Louis University M.Ed. in Early Childhood Administration, SmartCatalog (nl.smartcatalogiq.com); NCE is CAEP-accredited. Enrollment stat per NLU program materials.