BestColleges.com, a leading provider of higher education information and resources, has published its annual ranking of America’s Best Online Colleges. Southwestern College is ranked ninth in the category of Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Programs.

Southwestern College's bachelor of arts in early childhood education combines general early childhood and early childhood special education certification into one program, with graduates qualified to care for and teach children from birth to age eight. In addition to hosting an on-campus preschool at the college's Winfield location, where many students complete their practicum experiences, Southwestern also maintains partnerships with special education programs throughout the country, such as PALS (Preschool and Language Stimulation) and the REACH program.

Students interested in the online early childhood education bachelor's degree only need six post-high school college credits to apply for the program. Credit may also be granted for previous professional, military, or college experience. Curriculum includes a combination of general education, pre-professional education, exploratory education, admission to teacher education, and capstone-level courses. Inclusive and progressive content topics include technology in special education, teaching English as a second language (TESL), a diversity field experience. This program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

“The Best Online Colleges ranking is intended to inform and guide prospective students toward institutions that provide a quality education and a meaningful learning experience at an affordable cost. As online higher education demand grows and more schools bring programs online, it’s important and necessary to hold institutions to a standard of excellence that students can depend upon when making their college choice,” said Stephanie Snider, general manager of BestColleges.com.

Southwestern College also earned honorable mention status for the Best Online College of 2017.

Southwestern is the only KCAC school in the category of Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Programs and Best Online College of 2017.