Program Overview

Early Childhood Education

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.

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 programs.

Program Resources

• Essential Functions for ECE students
• Placement Testing
• Foundational Non-Credit ECE Courses

Curriculum and Experience

First Semester

• ECE: Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3 credits)
• ECE: Infant & Toddler Dev (3 credits)
• ECE: Social Studies, Art, and Music (3 credits)
• ECE: Health, Safety, & Nutrition (3 credits)
• ECE: Field Experience 1 (3 credits)

Second Semester

• ECE: Early Language and Literacy (3 credits)
• ECE: Child Development (3 credits)
• ECE: Guiding Child Behavior (3 credits)
• ECE: Field Experience 2 (3 credits)
• Written Communication (3 credits)

Third Semester

• ECE: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) (3 credits)
• ECE: Field Experience 3 (3 credits)
• ECE: Family & Community Relations (3 credits)
• Mathematical Reasoning (3 credits)
• Introduction to Diversity Studies (3 credits)

Fourth Semester

• ECE: Children w diff Abilities (3 credits)
• ECE: Field Experience 4 (3 credits)
• Oral/Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• Contemporary Amer Society (3 credits)
• Psychology Of Human Relations (3 credits)

Admission

Admission Requirements

• Admission Application
• Education Completion
  • 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

Additional Notes

• Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll.
• Admission into a program or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses.

Waiting List

This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and high program demand.

Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools

• UW Milwaukee
• UW Oshkosh
• UW River Falls
• UW Stevens Point
• UW Stout
• UW Superior
• UW Whitewater

Wisconsin Private Schools

• Concordia University
• Lakeland University
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Viterbo University
• Wisconsin Lutheran College

Out-of-State Schools

• Bellevue University
• Capella University
• Colorado State University Global Campus
• Franklin University

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.

Graduate Summary

• Number of Program Graduates: 16
• Number of Surveys Sent: 16
• Number of Surveys Returned: 5
• Percent of Surveys Returned: 31.3%
• Available for Employment: 4
• Percent Available for Employment: 80.0%
• Not in Labor Market: 0
• Percent Not in Labor Market: 0.0%

Graduate Employers

• Bernie's Place
• Hilltop Children's Center
• Yahara River Learning Center

Related Programs

• Child Care Services
• Basic Early Childhood Educator
• Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler
• Early Childhood Education Preschool
• Early Childhood Education Diversity Credential
• Early Childhood Education Administrator
• University Transfer - Education