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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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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 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.
First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Join the Waiting List
This program is in transition to assess capacity and enrollment availability for the 2026-2027 academic year. Beginning Fall 2026, all qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
- Program Capacity: 50 spots each Fall and 25 spots each Spring. It shares this capacity with other programs that have similar curriculum.
- Estimated Wait Time: To be determined
- Notification Timeline: Students on the waiting list will be notified in March 2026 about available spots. Those who remain on the list will also receive an update on their estimated wait times.
Submitting your application now ensures you're considered as soon as space becomes available.
Learn more about waiting lists in the Waiting List section below.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 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
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
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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Waiting List
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and high program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program.
A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
Students on the waiting list receive priority in future terms based on the date they complete all application requirements.
Priority does not guarantee a spot in the program.
You may remain on the waiting list if you continue to follow the steps to notify Madison College of your continued interest.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
Students completing the AAS degree in Early Childhood education at a WTCS institution and utilizing the WTCS statewide curriculum can transfer to UWM to earn a bachelor's degree and teacher certification offered through the UWM School of Education's Early Childhood Education program. Students must meet all standard UWM admissions requirements to be eligible for participation in this agreement. The AAS in Early Childhood Education will transfer to UWM's BS in Early Childhood Education in accordance with the following: • A minimum of 60 credits earned toward the AAS degree will transfer as stipulated in Appendix A. • 39 credits will be applied to the Early Childhood program, professional, and certification requirements at UWM. • The AAS in Early Childhood Education must be posted on an official transcript in order for this agreement to be applied. • Students actively enrolled in the AAS degree and expecting to complete it prior to enrollment may be admitted under the general terms of this agreement, pending receipt of a final, degree-bearing transcript.The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherStudents will first need to complete 60-61 Associate's Degree credits, then 26-31 Bachelor's Degree Credits, and 60-61 Special Education Licensure Credits, bringing the total to 146-153 Total Credit Hours.The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherOutlines transfer pathway between two programs.WTCS Students who successfully complete and AAS degree or approved coursework after July 1, 2006 in Early Childhood Education (WTCS statewide core curriculum) wishing to transfer to USWP can be awarded credits towards a BS in Early Childhood Education.Students must complete the AAS- Early Childhood Education degree at Madison College and meet UW Stout admission requirements. Admission to UW Stout does not guarantee admission to a professional 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.Allows students to be awards transfer credit towards degree when they complete Credentials as part of ECE.Transfer from MC AAS ECE to UW Whitewater B.S. ECEWisconsin Private Schools
Students must complete an ECE AA and meet Concordia University admission and additional testing requirements. Students must complete at least 48 credits at Concordia. Bachelor degree completion can be for licensure birth to grade 3.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.Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.Guaranteed transferability of courses listed in the transfer guides for students earning a grade of C or higher, a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher, and meeting Viterbo University’s standard admission criteria.Bachelor of Science in Business Management and LeadershipOut-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.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
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
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 31 25 16 Number of Surveys Sent 31 24 16 Number of Surveys Returned 15 9 5 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 11 8 4 Percent Available for Employment 73.3% 88.9% 80.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 26.7% 0.0% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 11 8 4 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 11 6 3 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.0% 75.0% 75.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 2 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.0% 25.0% 25.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 4 3.8 Number of Satisfaction Responses 15 8 4 Very Satisfied (4) 11 8 3 Percent Very Satisfied 73.3% 100.0% 75.0% Satisfied (3) 4 0 1 Percent Satisfied 26.7% 0.0% 25.0% 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 15 8 4 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 11 8 4 Before Enrollment 4 3 0 Percent Before Enrollment 36.4% 37.5% 0.0% While Attending the College 2 2 1 Percent While Attending the College 18.2% 25.0% 25.0% After Training at the College 5 3 3 Percent After Training at the College 45.5% 37.5% 75.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 11 9 5 In College District 9 8 3 Percent In College District 81.8% 88.9% 60.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 2 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 18.2% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 11.1% 20.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 5 3 Average Monthly Wage $3,245 $3,297 $3,447 Average Hourly Wage $18.86 $19.17 $20.04 Average Work Hours per Week 41.6 40.0 41.7 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 0 1 Average Hourly Wage $18.12 Average Work Hours per Week 15.0 32.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bernie's Place Teacher Hilltop Children's Center Support Teacher Seattle WA Yahara River Learning Center Teacher DeForest * - 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
