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Program Overview
The Basic Early Childhood Educator embedded technical diploma from Madison College meets the basic requirements to work as a teacher in early childhood settings. All nine credits are also part of the Preschool embedded technical diploma. (Formerly Early Childhood Education Entry Level Provider certificate.)
Some courses in the program involve preparation of learning materials, field trips, etc. that may involve additional expenses.
To learn how your experience could count toward your degree contact epink@madisoncollege.edu.
Program Details
Students in the Basic Early Childhood Educator program can attend full or part time.
Early Childhood Education courses may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - South
- Online
Careers
Earning your less than one year technical diploma in the Basic Early Childhood Educator program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Child Care Teacher
Work in full-day and part-day child care programs, or nursery schools - Child Care Assistant Teacher
Work under the supervision of a child care lead teacher in child care programs or Head Start programs - Family Child Care Provider
Care for eight children or less in provider's home. - In-home Provider/Nanny
Provide care in the child's home.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
Required Courses -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Spring 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Basic Early Childhood Educator career.
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Career Outcomes
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 50 34 42 Number of Surveys Sent 50 34 42 Number of Surveys Returned 44 26 34 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 13 8 11 Percent Available for Employment 29.5% 30.8% 32.4% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 70.5% 69.2% 67.6% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 12 7 10 Percent of Graduates Employed 92.3% 87.5% 90.9% Employed in Related Occupation 11 6 8 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 91.7% 85.7% 80.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 1 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 8.3% 14.3% 20.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 1 1 Percent Seeking Employment 7.7% 12.5% 9.1% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.6 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 20 9 15 Very Satisfied (4) 10 5 11 Percent Very Satisfied 50.0% 55.6% 73.3% Satisfied (3) 10 4 4 Percent Satisfied 50.0% 44.4% 26.7% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 44 26 34 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 12 7 10 Before Enrollment 10 3 5 Percent Before Enrollment 83.3% 42.9% 50.0% While Attending the College 1 4 3 Percent While Attending the College 8.3% 57.1% 30.0% After Training at the College 1 0 2 Percent After Training at the College 8.3% 0.0% 20.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 12 7 10 In College District 12 6 9 Percent In College District 100.0% 85.7% 90.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 1 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 14.3% 10.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 8 5 6 Average Monthly Wage $2,733 $2,604 $2,929 Average Hourly Wage $15.89 $15.14 $17.03 Average Work Hours per Week 40.8 39.6 39.5 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 1 Average Hourly Wage $13.75 $18.00 Average Work Hours per Week 30.0 30.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Eagle's Wing Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Private Individual Nanny Muscoda Private Individual Lead Teacher Johnson Creek Reach Dane Teacher Assistant Stoughton Self-Employed Family Childcare Provider Toad Hill Toddler House Assistant Teacher Woods Hollow Children's Center Teacher Fitchburg Woods Hollow Children's Center Assistant Teacher Fitchburg * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
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