Ready to Learn More?
If you’d like to learn more about the University Transfer - Education program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
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Program Overview
The University Transfer Education pre-major program is designed for students who want to begin a career in education.
Education Careers
The education field has many roles that work together to create a positive, supportive environment for students to learn.
Whether your goal is to become a K-12 classroom teacher, classroom professional, administrator or policy maker, Madison College’s Education pre-major is an excellent place to start!
Start Your Four-Year Teaching Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step to becoming a licensed K-12 teacher in Wisconsin. Get set up for success in the Wisconsin-approved teacher-certification program where you intend to transfer.
Earn your first two years of bachelor’s degree credit courses at Madison College, then transfer those credits to a four-year college or university to complete your junior and senior coursework and student teaching experience.
All K-12 education majors can start at Madison College.
If you enjoy interacting with younger, school-aged children and want to teach multiple subjects to students in one grade level, we'll help you start your journey to a degree in elementary education.
If you're passionate about a particular subject, you may be able to teach students across all grade levels, depending on the licensure. Common teaching subjects include:
- Art
- English and Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Special Education
...and more!
Get a Customized Transfer Plan
When you enroll in the Education pre-major program, you’ll need to meet with any of your advisors who will work with you to create a customized transfer plan based on your intended major and the transfer college or university of your choice.
Save Time and Money
Save time and money by working with your advisor to combine general education requirements with coursework relevant to your major (i.e., music education students must take music classes, science students must take science classes, etc.).
We’ll ensure the courses you take at Madison College are the same as if you started your first two years at a four-year school.
Guaranteed Transfer!
Guaranteed admission agreements make it easy to transfer to four-year partner colleges to finish your bachelor's degree! Academic Support and Guidance
Madison College’s education faculty are experts in their fields, ready to share their knowledge and experience with you and support you in your academic success.
You’ll start your educator training in your first semester by taking the Introduction to Education and Teaching course that will introduce you to education and teaching in real-world school settings, group discussions and individual reflection.
The education faculty will not only support you in the classroom but also be your go-to experts for all questions about your chosen career path. To ensure you stay on track, they’ll help you with:
- Questions about your program.
- Choosing the best classes to meet your goals.
- Taking classes in the right order to ensure a smooth college transfer experience.
Flexible and Affordable Course Offerings
- Attend full- or part-time.
- Enjoy small class sizes and personal attention.
- Courses are available 100% online or on-campus.
- Study close to home, whether in Madison or regionally at our Reedsburg, Portage, Fort Atkinson or Watertown campuses.
- Save money with the lowest per-credit tuition in the region.
- Experience a top-quality education that transfers!
Ready to Learn More or Get Started?
For more information about how Madison College’s University Transfer Education pre-major can help you meet your education and career goals, contact Penny Johnson at psjohnson1@madisoncollege.edu.
If you’re ready to apply, create an account and begin the application process. Select the “Education and Social Sciences” area of study and then choose “University Transfer - Pre-major: Education.”
Create an Account and Apply to Madison College
Explore Other Programs for Future Teachers
Early Childhood Education
See the Early Childhood Education program if you’re interested in becoming a teacher-caregiver to children from birth to age six.
Technology Education
Learn how you can start towards a career that combines your love of technology and education by becoming a technology and engineering education teacher.
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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.
60 credits minimum to complete the program by satisfying the all requirements as defined.English and Speech (9 credits)Six credits must be in composition - English 1 and one other composition course. Three credits must be in public speaking. (Students should consult with an advisor to determine the best choice for their second composition course.)Composition CoursesPublic Speaking CoursesKinesiology/Health/Wellness (1 credit)Completion of one of the listed courses is required.Kinesiology CoursesHumanities/Fine Arts (12 credits)Completion of courses from three disciplines is required. Choose courses from the following disciplines: art, art history, drama, film, literature, music, philosophy, world languages, writing and communication, and interdisciplinary humanities. Remaining credits to fulfill the requirement can be selected from any Humanities and Fine Arts courses offered within the AA degree.Art CoursesArt History CoursesDrama CoursesFilm CoursesLiterature CoursesMusic CoursesPhilosophy CoursesWorld Languages CoursesWriting and Communication CoursesInterdisciplinary Humanities CoursesMathematics and Natural Science (10 credits)Select one mathematics course at the level of Intermediate Algebra or higher. Select one biological science course and one physical science course; one of the courses must include a laboratory. If lab is a stand-alone course, the associated lecture component is also required.Mathematics Courses Recommended: College AlgebraBiological Science Lab CoursesBiological Courses without LabPhysical Science Lab CoursesPhysical Science Courses without LabSocial Science (12 credits)Required Education CourseRequired Psychology CourseRequired Social Science CourseThe remaining 3 credits to fulfill the requirement can be selected from any social science courses offered within the AA degree.Anthropology CoursesEconomics CoursesEducation CoursesHistory CoursesPolitical Science CoursesPsychology CoursesSociology CoursesInterdisciplinary Social Science CoursesElectives (16 credits)Select any courses offered within the Liberal Arts Transfer program or from the list of additional electives below. Most Internships and Honors Project credits may also be applied (20-code courses only).Consult with your advisor to determine which courses are best for your intended transfer program (major and transfer institution).Ethnic Studies (One course)Course may also count toward Humanities/Fine Arts, Social Science, or Electives.World Languages (One course)May be met with one year in high school with a grade of "C" or better OR one semester in college. College courses may also count toward Humanities/Fine Arts or Electives.If requirement was satisfied with high school courses, email: enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu.See World Languages Courses under the Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement above. -
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
Summer 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is July 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 University Transfer - Education career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
This agreement is in the form of a contract. Students who earn the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) Degree in one of the LAT Pre-Majors at Madison College, who meet requirements for admission to UW-Madison, contract requirements and who meet specified levels of academic achievement at Madison College will be granted admission to UW–Madison as a transfer student. Admission to UW–Madison under this agreement does not guarantee admission to any specific academic major or program.Completion of the A.A. Degree in the LAT-Education pre Major while earning a 3.0 cumulative GPA in transferable Madison College transfer coursework. Meet minimum admission requirements. Students may transfer up to 72 creditsThis program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-Platteville and Madison College provides students with guaranteed admission into the UW-Platteville Technology Education major within the Department of Industrial Studies given that all admission requirements are met and after successful completion of their Associate of Arts – Liberal Arts Transfer Education Pre-Major Degree at Madison College.This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-Platteville and Madison College provides students with guaranteed admission into the UW-Platteville Elementary Education (K-9) major within the School of Education given that all admission requirements are met and after successful completion of their Associate of Arts – Liberal Arts Transfer Education Pre-Major Degree at Madison College.Students wishing to transfer to UW-Superior after completing the Associate of Arts – Liberal Arts Transfer Education Pre-Major are guaranteed admission to the Elementary Education major given that all admission requirements are met. • Completion of Madison College Liberal Arts Transfer - Education Pre-Major in alignment using the included articulated course table • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for entrance into the Teacher Education Program. • TED 100 Orientation to Education to be successfully completed during the first term at UW-Superior and a grade of at least “B” in TED 200 Introduction to Education. o 20-809-216 Introduction to Education and Teaching transfers as TED 200 Introduction to Education. A grade of “B” or higher must be earned for program admission.Students must complete the AA or AS, with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 (2.75 is required for international emphasis), be admitted to UW W and applied to the appropriate journalism emphasis. It is recommended that students take 809172 for their diversity class.This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-W and MC allows students to be guaranteed admission and be awarded a minimum of 60 credits into the Bachelor of Science in Education- Elementary-Middle Education, Social Justice Literacy or STEM/STEAM track programs, given that all admission requirements are met. Students that transfer under this agreement with a minimum of 60 credits will be considered to have Junior standing at UW-W. Students transferring under the guidelines of this articulation agreement must have earned an Associate of Arts-Liberal Arts Transfer Education Pre-Major with an average of 2.75 or better (on a 4.0 scale), including coursework from other institutions (if appropriate), and according to UW-W repeat policy. (Although general admission to UW-W requires a 2.0 GPA, admission to Professional Education requires 2.75 or higher gpa, or appropriate test scores).Wisconsin Private Schools
MC students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree who are admitted to Carroll University with at least 52 transfer credits will meet all GE1 distribution components in the gen ed curriculum. Transfer credit may be received for the CCD, GE2 and CCE requirements.Students with an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.Students who receive an Associate of Arts, Education Pre-Major, from Madison College who present a cumulative GPA of 2.75 will be offered guaranteed admission at Junior status into the Elementary Education program at Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate of Arts Degree Education Pre-Major.Students who receive an Associate of Arts, Education Pre-Major, from Madison College who present a cumulative GPA of 2.75 will be offered guaranteed admission at Junior status into the Art and Design Teaching program at Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate of Arts Degree Education Pre-Major.Students who receive an Associate of Arts or Sciences Degree from Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College when students transfer directly from Madison College to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate Degree. Students who take coursework at another institution between the completion of their coursework at Madison College and their transfer to Edgewood College must meet Edgewood College's transfer student admissions requirements of a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college-level coursework. Students must also meet posted admission deadlines.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.Earning an A.A. Degree in LAT Education from MC and meeting the terms of this agreement guarantees admission to the B.A. in Elementary and Middle School (K-9) Education at Lakeland Universtiy. Up to 72 cr can transfer from MC toward this degree.Mount Mary University will recognize an earned AA, AS, and AAS degree and guarantee those students junior standing. Outlines main transfer equivalancies.Out-of-State Schools
General university admission is guaranteed upon successful completion of the following conditions: 1) Completion of an associate degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Arizona residents) or 2.50 cumulative GPA (nonresidents) or 2) completion of 24 or more transferable semester credits post-high school with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 2.50 and verification of high school graduation or the equivalent. NOTE: Some ASU colleges and schools have additional or higher requirements for admission into their majors.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.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.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 Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
Education Pre-Major Program Outcomes
After completing an Associate of Arts (AA) degree at Madison College, you will be able to:
- Use identified critical thinking skills to pose questions, process information and make decisions.
- Engage in collaborative activities in ways that contribute to the achievement of shared goals.
- Exhibit self-awareness and self-management skills necessary to succeed in increasingly challenging academic environments.
- Recognize the contributions of diverse cultures, historical periods and art forms to the improvement of the human condition in a global society.
- Compute and analyze quantitative data using mathematical, statistical and logical methods to solve problems.
- Explore physical and social environments using scientific tools and methods.
- Communicate with varied audiences by:
- Listening actively in personal and professional relationships.
- Reading and comprehending written materials in the content areas at grade 14 level.
- Synthesizing and organizing information for diverse audiences.
- Research a question by planning and implementing an appropriate investigative strategy and synthesizing the results in an academic document.
K-12 Education Careers
Associate Degree K-12 Jobs
When you earn your Associate of Arts in Education at Madison College, you'll be qualified to work in K-12 schools in a variety of roles:
- Substitute Teacher
- Paraprofessional Teacher
- Instructional Aide
- After-school Program Teacher
- Child Counseling Assistant
- Childcare Employee
- Adult Education Consultant
Bachelor’s Degree (and Beyond) K-12 Jobs
Students who continue to earn their bachelor’s degree from a Wisconsin-approved teacher certification program can become a licensed full-time teacher in Wisconsin K-12 schools.
Other K-12 positions with additional education and experience may include:
- Superintendent
- School Principal
- Vice Principal
- Librarian
- Guidance Counselor
- Instruction / Curriculum Director
- School Operations Manager
- Athletic Director