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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
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
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 34 42 61 Number of Surveys Sent 34 42 56 Number of Surveys Returned 26 34 42 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 8 11 17 Percent Available for Employment 30.8% 32.4% 40.5% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 69.2% 67.6% 57.1% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 7 10 14 Percent of Graduates Employed 87.5% 90.9% 82.4% Employed in Related Occupation 6 8 13 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 85.7% 80.0% 92.9% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 2 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 14.3% 20.0% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 1 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 7.1% Seeking Employment 1 1 3 Percent Seeking Employment 12.5% 9.1% 17.6% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.7 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 9 15 20 Very Satisfied (4) 5 11 12 Percent Very Satisfied 55.6% 73.3% 60.0% Satisfied (3) 4 4 8 Percent Satisfied 44.4% 26.7% 40.0% 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
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 26 34 41 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
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 7 10 13 Before Enrollment 3 5 8 Percent Before Enrollment 42.9% 50.0% 61.5% While Attending the College 4 3 4 Percent While Attending the College 57.1% 30.0% 30.8% After Training at the College 0 2 1 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 20.0% 7.7% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 7 10 15 In College District 6 9 11 Percent In College District 85.7% 90.0% 73.3% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 1 1 Percent of In Wisconsin 14.3% 10.0% 6.7% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 6.7% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 2 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 13.3% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 5 6 11 Average Monthly Wage $2,604 $2,929 $3,666 Average Hourly Wage $15.14 $17.03 $21.31 Average Work Hours per Week 39.6 39.5 40.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 3 Average Hourly Wage $18.00 $20.21 Average Work Hours per Week 30.0 27.3 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Claudia Castillo Nanny Hickory Hill Academy Lead Teacher Madison Metropolitan School District Teacher Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Bilingual Para-Educator Middleton Reach Dane Nutrition Service Provider III Reach Dane Teacher Assistant Schenk Elementary School Special Education Assistant Self-Employed Babysitter Tenney Nursery & Parent Center Teacher Tesoritos Family Childcare Childcare The Caring Center Subsitute Teacher Verona The Playing Field Teacher Watertown Unified School District Teacher Watertown YMCA Pre-Ed Teacher Oconomowoc * - 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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