Early Childhood Education
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Associate Degree
Program Number: 103071
Credits: 60
Area of Study: Education and Social Sciences
Financial Aid Available
Estimated Program Cost:
-
Overview
Admission
Overview
The Early Childhood Education associate degree program at Madison College prepares you to work as a teacher-caregiver in early childhood settings. It 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.
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.To learn how your experience could count toward your degree contact the program director.
Program Details
Early Childhood Education is on a career pathway that includes this associate degree, a technical diploma, an infant and toddler certificate, a preschool diploma and a basic educator diploma. All will prepare you for a good job and with the associate degree, you can transfer to another college to earn your bachelor’s degree. Learn at your own pace and increase your earning potential with credentials that keep you moving on your career path.
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 these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - South
- Online
Explore financial aid eligibility for this program.
CurriculumAdmission
To Apply
- View the admission requirements for application deadlines, materials, and requirements.
- Attend an Advising, Application, Information & More (AAIM) Session to get started in the admission process.
- Visit MATC to learn more about the Madison College experience including campus tours and program open houses.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at MATC.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or (608) 246-6210.
TransferCurriculum
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2021-2022 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 SemesterOutcomesTransfer Partnerships
Madison College has the following Transfer Partnerships for this program. Review the list and identify the right college or university to earn your bachelor’s degree.
After you identify your best transfer options, review the steps to transfer, attend transfer events, and meet with your program advisor every semester to keep your transfer plans on track.
Wisconsin Schools
DetailsStudents 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.DetailsPer 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.DetailsDue to individual variations in how WTCS general education requirements are met, transfer results will vary. The list of recommended courses to meet Core requirements is to be used for course planning at the associate level. A grade of "C-" or better is needed for the course to fulfill the specified requirement. The written and oral communication requirements must be passed with a "B-" or better.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsStudent 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.DetailsAny 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.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsThe terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.DetailsStudents 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).DetailsWTCS 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.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsThis 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)DetailsStudents who complete the Early Childhood Education program at Madison College may have up to 48 credits awarded toward a B.A. or B.S. degree in Early Child Care and Education. The 48 credits will be assigned in a block equivalency and via individual course-by-course equivalencies. General education requirements will be accepted on a course-by-course basis.DetailsMadison 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.)DetailsStudents 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.Non-Wisconsin Schools
DetailsThe Early Childhood Education associate‘s degree will be transferred as a block covering General Education requirements as appropriate to each degree program. This does not constitute a waiver of any course required to earn a particular major. Students must complete the associates degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsPer 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.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsStudents 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.DetailsFranklin 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.DetailsStudents 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.CareersOutcomes
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.
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.
Resources
Related Programs
- Early Childhood Education: Child Care Services Diploma
- Early Childhood Education: Basic Educator Diploma
- Early Childhood Education: Infant and Toddler Certificate
- Early Childhood Education: Preschool Diploma
- Early Childhood Education: Diversity Credential
- Early Childhood Education: Administrator Credential
- Liberal Arts Transfer - Education