Ranking: WSSU’s online early childhood education program most affordable in nation

Winston-Salem State University’s (WSSU) Birth-Kindergarten Education (BKE) program is the most affordable in the nation, according to a new ranking.

The website BachelorsDegreeCenter.org has ranked WSSU’s online BKE program no. 1 on its list of the “10 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degrees Online for 2019.”

In its ranking, the website notes WSSU’s long history educating teachers in North Carolina and its position as one of the top colleges and universities for social mobility. The website analyzed U.S. Department of Education data from more than 500 accredited education programs for the rankings.

WSSU’s BKE program is accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the North Carolina State Board of Education. WSSU offers three concentrations: Teacher Licensure, Administration and Leadership, and Early Intervention and Preschool.

This is one of three recent national rankings for the program, which began at WSSU in 1999. 

“Our BKE program has served the Winston-Salem community for many years,” said Dr. Dawn Hicks Tafari, an assistant professor in the Department of Education and interim coordinator for the BKE program “We have a strong program with a legacy that is perpetuated by hard-working early childhood education professionals who are social justice-minded and believe in advocating for all children. We appreciate this recognition as an opportunity to continue to grow and expand the work we do.”

The online option is extremely attractive to working professionals, Tafari said.

About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.