Distance learning program Early Childhood Education (B.A.) – IfV NRW

👉 The part-time cooperative degree programme in Early Childhood Education at FH Südwestfalen is aimed at state-certified early childhood educators as well as career changers who are pursuing an academic qualification in early childhood pedagogy. The programme imparts fundamental early childhood education, scientific, and management-related content, as well as knowledge in developmental support, educational processes, and quality management. The standard duration of the programme is nine semesters; for early childhood educators with credit recognition, the duration is reduced to seven semesters. Practical projects in early childhood education settings are mandatory. The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Arts with state recognition as an early childhood educator.

Early Childhood Education (B.A.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 9 Semesters
💶 Fees
from 209 € Semester fee
from 1855 € total
🏫 Provider Institute for Collaborative Studies, Academic institution based in Iserlohn (Germany)
The Institute for Collaborative Studies NRW is a joint academic institution and the central coordination point for collaborative study programmes in NRW. As a service provider and support facility for cooperating universities, the Institute takes on central tasks for subject-specific as well as technical support. The Institute provides support for the development and implementation of collaborative study programmes.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialPedagogy
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Didactics and Methodology, Psychomotor Education, Practicum I, Fields of Work and Institutional Frameworks I, Artistic and Aesthetic Education, Health Promotion, Social-Emotional Development, Introduction to Childhood and Children’s Studies, Foundations of Academic Work, Mathematical-Scientific-Technical Education I, Practicum II, Educational Approaches and Programmes, Developmental Psychology Basics, Language Development and Promotion I, Intercultural Education, Play Pedagogy, Educational Assessment, Mathematical-Scientific-Technical Education II, Practicum III, Language Development and Promotion II, Quality and Team Development, Elective Module I, Integrative and Inclusive Education, Fields of Work and Institutional Frameworks II, Educational Cooperation, Elective Module II, Practicum IV, Transition, Research Methods, Elective Module III, Practicum V, Bachelor Thesis, Colloquium
📚 Electives Leadership and management, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
👥 In-person sessions 5 semester-long practical projects at the workplace and events typically on Saturdays from September to February or from March to July at the university (average time commitment per event: approx. 8 hours).
📍 Location Soest, Nordrhein-Westfalen
📅 Enrollment Winter semester
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who is the distance learning course in Early Childhood Education at FH Südwestfalen suitable for?

The part-time Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education is aimed at anyone who wishes to further qualify scientifically in the field of early childhood. The distance learning course is particularly suitable for state-certified educators who want to academically expand their expertise and take on leadership positions. It also addresses lateral entrants from related educational, social-pedagogical or therapeutic professions who aim to work in day-care centres, early childhood education institutions or social-pedagogical child and youth services. The course also offers access perspectives for professionally qualified people without a traditional university entrance qualification, provided certain requirements are met.

Admission requirements for the combined studies in Early Childhood Education

The following formal criteria must be met for enrolment:

  • Advanced technical college entrance qualification or an equivalent (university entrance) qualification recognised as such.
  • Proof of a 6-week relevant internship. The internship can be submitted by the start of the third semester at the latest.
  • For state-certified educators or equivalently qualified persons (e.g. curative educators), 40 credit points can be recognised, which allows entry directly into the 3rd semester and a shortened period of study (7 semesters).
  • Practical connection: Before starting the course, a relevant pedagogical practice institution (e.g. day-care centre, family centre, social institution caring for children up to 14 years) must be reliably demonstrated for the accompanying practical projects.
  • Admission is also possible without a traditional university entrance qualification via the following routes:
    • Masters craftsmen as well as comparably qualified persons (technicians, IHK business administrators etc.) – without an entrance exam.
    • Field-faithful applicants with at least two years of vocational training and three years of activity in the learned profession in a relevant field, directly without an entrance exam.
    • Other professionally qualified persons with at least two years of vocational training and three years of professional experience (also outside the trained profession or in the field of care/education) can be admitted to the course via an entrance exam or a trial study period.

Additionally, you should bring personal prerequisites: independent organisation of learning times, sufficient motivation for a part-time course over at least four years, interest in educational issues as well as enjoyment of practical work with children. Experience in the early childhood sector or in social/pedagogical fields, analytical thinking skills, communication strength and willingness to work scientifically are advantageous. Since the practical projects form a central part, flexibility as well as the willingness to reflect on one’s own practical experiences are required.

What are the main focuses of the Early Childhood Education degree?

In the Bachelor's degree programme in Early Childhood Education, you deepen your knowledge of the development and support of young children. The curriculum is divided into five central areas:

  • Disciplinary Foundations: Introduction to the scientific and practical fundamentals for early childhood education fields of work.
  • Educational Areas: Acquisition of subject-specific and didactic competencies for the holistic promotion of children, including musical, socio-emotional, and mathematical-scientific education.
  • Fields of Work and Institutions: Teaching of institutional, organisational, and legal framework conditions for educational and childcare institutions.
  • Practical Studies: Implementation of practice-oriented projects that connect theory and professional application. In each academic year, you work on projects, reflect on them, and analyse them with scientific support.
  • Scientific Thinking and Working: Systematic competence development in academic work, culminating in a Bachelor’s thesis and colloquium.

You develop skills in developmental psychology, diagnostics, language support, intercultural education as well as quality and team development. In the elective area, you can set individual focal points, for example in leadership and management or in STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology).

What does the course structure and organisation look like?

The joint degree programme is organised alongside work and training and spans nine semesters (4.5 years). The standard period of study is 9 semesters; state-certified childcare workers start directly in the 3rd semester, thus shortening the duration to 7 semesters. The course starts in the winter semester.

  • Learning format: Combination of self-study and face-to-face sessions. At the beginning of each semester, you receive learning materials for independent study. You should plan about 15 hours per week for this.
  • Attendance periods: Sessions usually take place on Saturdays at the university in Soest, each between September–February and March–July. Each session lasts about 8 hours.
  • Practical projects: During your studies, you work on five semester-long practical projects, preferably carried out at your workplace. If your workplace is not classified as an early childhood education institution, you must independently find a suitable practice facility. The practical project begins in the 1st semester.
  • Modules and examinations: Per semester, you complete four to five modules. From the 6th semester onwards, you select additional elective modules from a catalogue. Proof of achievement is provided through written exams, oral exams, written assignments, practical records, as well as the Bachelor’s thesis including colloquium.

The duration of study corresponds to a workload of 4,500 hours (180 ECTS). The degree awarded is Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

What career opportunities does a degree in Early Childhood Education offer?

With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, you qualify for specialist and leadership roles in the field of early childhood education and care. Typical fields of activity include:

  • Management and leadership of daycare centres, nurseries or family centres
  • Educational specialist in socio-educational or therapeutic institutions
  • Work in all-day school programmes and early intervention
  • Employment in educational authorities, independent providers and associations
  • Lecturing roles in the training, further and continuing education of educational staff
  • Project work in family centres, intergenerational centres or children’s and youth residential groups

The practice-oriented course and the systematic linking of theory and practice increase your chances of securing responsible positions or entering specialised fields of childhood education.

What are the costs and how can the studies be financed?

The fees for the course are composed as follows:

  • Current semester fee at the Fachhochschule Südwestfalen: €209 per semester
  • Additional media and service fee: €108.50 per semester (as of December 2025)
  • Total costs for nine semesters: approx. €1,855 (excluding media and service fees as well as other charges such as enrolment or re-registration fees)

The fees are payable at the beginning of each semester. Tuition fees can often be claimed as tax-deductible work-related expenses. Funding via BAföG, scholarships or education loans is generally possible, provided the personal requirements are fulfilled. Many employers in social and educational institutions provide financial support for part-time study or release time for practical and attendance phases.

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