Due to increasing demands from the field, the University of Montana-Western (UM-W) recently began to offer a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education that builds upon the associate degree. Students complete their general education credits, early childhood specialty courses, and an area of special emphasis. Courses are offered online or through week long intensives. Onsite mentoring is provided to each student as a way of providing additional encouragement, support, and technical assistance and to increase program quality and retention. UM-W received grant funding to assist with program start up and onsite mentoring. The early childhood program design supports students who are often identified as at-risk in higher education settings and meets the needs of place-bound students in geographically isolated locations, while still maintaining high quality standards. As such, it may provide a model for similar populations in other rural states.