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If you’d like to learn more about the Early Childhood Education program, we’d love to talk with you.
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Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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Program Overview
Prepare for work as a teacher-caregiver in early childhood settings.
Madison College's Early Childhood Education associate degree program combines hands-on fieldwork in area centers with related academic work at the college. Graduates become responsible for the care and education of children in the birth-to-6 age range. They create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning activities, and work cooperatively with staff and parents. Success in the field depends on a caring attitude, showing respect for children and adults, flexibility, good judgment, dependability and effective communication skills.
Upon admission to the program, you will complete a background and criminal history check form and submit it to the program director. Look for this form in your student email. Information obtained from the background may affect your ability to secure a practicum placement.
Prior to taking ECE: Introductory Practicum, you must show evidence of a physical examination including TB test using the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Staff Health Report - Child Care Provider Form (PDF).
Travel to fieldwork sites is necessary and is your responsibility.
Some courses in the program involve preparation of learning materials, field trips, etc. that may involve additional expenses.
Learn how your experience could count toward your degree. Contact Emily Pink at epink@madisoncollege.edu to learn more.
Program Details
We are in the process of gaining accreditation through National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Students in Early Childhood Education can attend full or part time.
Early Childhood Education classes may be offered at the Madison College Goodman South campus or online.
Early Childhood Education Careers
Earning your associate degree in the Early Childhood Education program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Child Care Teachers
Work in full-day and part-day child care programs, nursery schools and Head Start programs. - Child Care Assistant Teachers
Work under the supervision of a child care teacher. - Family Child Care Providers
Care for eight children or less in provider's home. - Infant or Toddler Caregivers
Care for children under two years of age. - In-home Providers/Nannies
Provide care in the child's home. - Early Childhood Educational Assistants
Work in district approved early childhood programs, and four-years-old kindergarten programs. - Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
Work in district approved early childhood programs, and four-years-old kindergarten programs. - Directors/Administrators
Are responsible for managing child care centers and planning and implementing program.
Program Resources
- Child Care Teachers
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 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.
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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
Fall 2023
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2023
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024
Fall 2024
- Application available on September 15, 2023
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024
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
Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:
- High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) 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
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 Early Childhood Education career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
Students must meet admission requirements including a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all transferring credits. Students may transfer in up to 39 program credits and up to an additional 33 credits from coursework that meets general education requirements. Students must meet UWM‘s general education and cultural diversity requirements and School of Education Early Childhood Education degree requirements.Students transferring to any UW System school from Madison College will need to complete 60-61 Associate's Degree credits, and then will need to complete 26-31 Bachelor's Degree Credits, as well as another 60-61 Special Education Licensure Credits, bringing the total to 146-153 Total Credit Hours; UW Oshkosh Transcripts will indicate 137-147 Credits to degree.Students who complete the early childhood education program at Madison College should anticipate completing 20 general education credits and 59 credits of early childhood (major) coursework at UW RF to fulfill the requirements of the comprehensive Early Childhood major. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 is required for transfer (from all institutions attended).WTCS wide agreement. Madison College students who successfully complete an A.A.S. degree or approved coursework after July 1, 2006 in Early Childhood Education wishing to transfer to UWSP will be awarded the credits per the agreement toward a BS degree in Early Childhood Education.Students must complete the AAS- Early Childhood Education degree at Madison College and meet UW Stout‘s admission requirements. Admission to UW Stout does not guarantee admission to a professional program. Education majors are admitted as pre-education and acceptance into the UW Stout professional program is based upon academic and non-academic factors. Minimum GPA of 2.75 on transferable work is required for education majors. UW Stout will apply 44 of the 69 ECE program credits toward their BS in Early Childhood Education. UW Stout will apply up to 54 credits of the ECE program toward their BS in Human Development and Family.This agreement supports the UW Superior Early Childhood-Minor program. Students must complete the identified course work with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to be considered for this agreement. WTCS general education courses may transfer to fulfill UW Superior general education requirements. All UW Superior general education core and knowledge category requirements not met by transfer credit and must be completed prior to graduation. This minor when combined with an Elementary Education major can lead to certification for licensure as an EC teacher in WI (birth-6th grade)Students transferring into the Early Childhood Education Program are awarded 38 credits towards a Bachelor's Degree in this program if they: Started an Associates in Arts degree in Early Childhood Education within the Wisconsin Technical College System beginning in or after August 2006 or prior to August 2019, have successfully completed the Associates in Arts degree, and have applied to and have been successfully admitted into UW-Whitewater.Wisconsin Private Schools
Students must complete the Early Childhood Education Applied Associates degree and meet admission requirements of Concordia University Wisconsin. Students must complete at least 48 credits at Concordia. Bachelor degree completion program can be for licensure birth to grade 3. Students may have additional testing requirements. This agreement is with all Wisconsin Technical College System schools.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.Madison College students who successfully complete the courses listed in the transfer guides with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.25, a grade of C or higher in all courses, and who apply for admission and meet Viterbo University’s standard admission criteria are guaranteed transferability of academic coursework as listed on the transfer guide. (Speak with a Madison College advisor to review the transfer guides and course lists.)Students who complete the early childhood education program can transfer up to 65 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.Out-of-State Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
Madison College Early Childhood Education graduates are prepared to:
- Apply child development theory to practice.
- Cultivate relationships with children, family and the community.
- Assess child growth and development.
- Use best practices in teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate professionalism.
- Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 28 19 31 Number of Surveys Sent 28 19 31 Number of Surveys Returned 17 13 15 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 17 10 11 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 76.90% 73.30% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 23.10% 26.70% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 15 10 11 Percent of Graduates Employed 88.20% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 13 7 11 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 86.70% 70.00% 100.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 3 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 6.70% 30.00% 0.00% Employed - No Response 1 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 6.70% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 2 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 11.80% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.7 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 17 12 15 Very Satisfied (4) 8 10 11 Percent Very Satisfied 47.10% 83.30% 73.30% Satisfied (3) 9 1 4 Percent Satisfied 52.90% 8.30% 26.70% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 1 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 8.30% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 17 13 15 Preparation for Getting a Job 5 1 2 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 29.40% 7.70% 13.30% Career Change 1 2 2 Percent Career Change 5.90% 15.40% 13.30% Improvement of Existing Skills 5 2 3 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 29.40% 15.40% 20.00% Preparation for Further Education 6 5 7 Percent Preparation for Further Education 35.30% 38.50% 46.70% Personal Interest 0 3 1 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 23.10% 6.70% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 14 10 11 Before Enrollment 6 5 4 Percent Before Enrollment 42.90% 50.00% 36.40% While Attending the College 6 4 2 Percent While Attending the College 42.90% 40.00% 18.20% After Training at the College 2 1 5 Percent After Training at the College 14.30% 10.00% 45.50% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 15 9 9 In College District 15 9 9 Percent In College District 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 13 5 7 Average Monthly Wage $2,641 $3,122 $3,245 Average Hourly Wage $15.36 $18.15 $18.86 Average Work Hours per Week 41 43 41.6 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 0 Average Hourly Wage $15.75 Average Work Hours per Week 20 15 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bright Child Learning Center Lead Teacher Goddard School Lead Teacher Sun Prairie Leap Academy 4K Teacher Learning Ladder Teacher Cottage Grove Madison Metropolitan School District Special Education Assistant St. John's Lutheran School Assistant Preschool Teacher Waterloo Woodland Montessori School Preschool Educator * - 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
