BA-ECE Pathway at
100% ONLINE LEARNING
Complete your studies on your own time.
CUSTOM START DATES
Start your courses when it’s convenient for you.
FINISH YOUR DEGREE
Stack your certificates to earn your bachelor’s with discounted pricing.
New CDA to BA-ECE pathway lets you finish faster.
Developed in partnership with the National Head Start Association, National University’s Head Start Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Pathway prepares learners with the skills to effectively support historically underserved children, families, and communities. The program provides an affordable and inclusive opportunity for Head Start staff across the country to complete their bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a Head Start focus.
With our flexible online program, learners set their own pace and earn five stackable early childhood education certificates as they go. Each certificate focuses on a specific area of early childhood education, from foundations and advocacy to curriculum connections and leadership development. Each certificate consists of an eight-course sequence that can be completed in eight months.
Five Stackable ECE Certificates
Get a Head Start with Credits!
Students who have been awarded the CDA Credential will be eligible for credit for the following courses:
- ECE 201 – The Growing Child
- EDE 210 – Child Family School and Community
- HED 220 – Health Nutrition and Safety
National University offers scholarships for anyone who works in a Head Start or Early Head Start affiliated program. Our Head Start Promise Scholarship makes tuition pricing $880* per course ($7,040* per certificate). If a student qualifies for a 100% Pell Grant, each certificate is $0 out of pocket.
Now enrolling: National University is currently accepting students in every state except for Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington, D.C.**
**National University is pursuing expanded program availability to include additional states
* These costs are current as of January 2023 and are subject to change without notice.
A Word from NHSA
“This is about helping high-potential community leaders–those who wake up every day excited to make a real difference in the lives of the children and families they serve–to have viable, long-term, rewarding careers in Head Start.”
Yasmina Vinci, Executive Director
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, and international student admissions, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
Why Choose National University
- Four-Week Courses
- 150+ Academic Degree Programs
- Online or In Person
- Year-Round Enrollment
- Military Friendly
We’re proud to be a veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
“National University has impacted my career. You can immediately apply what you learn in class to your business.”
-Francisco R., Class of 2016
The Key Grant Scholarship
Do you qualify for a needs-based scholarship? Learn more about the NU Key Grant Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities to unlock the door to your dreams!
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.