Study Early Childhood Education in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction oversees public school systems throughout the state. The Department also implements various educational programs aimed at early childhood education.
For example, Wisconsin has a four-year-old kindergarten (4K) program that allows some children to enroll in kindergarten early. The state also offers pre-K and preschool programs that prepare children for learning at the elementary school level.
With these and other programs in the state, Wisconsin needs qualified early childhood education workers to teach, manage classrooms, and develop curricula. To do so, you must first get the proper education, which you can do in one of the popular programs outlined in this guide.
Early Childhood Education Programs in Wisconsin
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering early childhood education programs in Wisconsin:
- Madison Area Technical College
- University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- University of Wisconsin-Stout
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Walden University
- Capella University
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Madison Area Technical College
Madison Area Technical College is a two-year school that serves the Madison area, including parts of 12 counties in the region. With campuses throughout the area, you can easily access in-person learning, or, if you prefer, you can take courses online. The school offers associate’s degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates in more than 180 fields of study.
Originally founded in 1912 as the Madison Continuation School, Madison Area Technical College has become the largest feeder institution for the University of Wisconsin System. What was once an institution focused on helping teens and adults learn job-related skills is now a comprehensive institution of higher learning. As a student at Madison, you can expect small class sizes, expert faculty, and a lively campus life.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
Madison Area Technical College’s Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education gives you the flexibility of choosing how you learn. You can study full- or part-time, on-campus or online, or you can blend your courses by taking some in person and others online.
This program requires the completion of 60 credits, which takes about two years of full-time studies. You can choose to finish this degree and seek entry-level jobs in early childhood education. Alternatively, you can elect to continue your education and complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.
You will take a variety of education-related courses as part of your studies, including the following:
- Health, Safety, and Nutrition
- Guiding Child Behavior
- Family and Community Relations
- Children With Differing Abilities
- Psychology of Human Relations
This program also requires introductory, intermediate, and advanced practicums that allow you to observe practicing early childhood educators and participate in delivering educational services to students.
You can apply to Madison Area Technical College online for free. Eligibility for admission is determined by examining your official high school transcripts, your GED/HSED transcript, or college transcripts that show conferment of an associate’s degree or higher.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is a mid-sized school with around 12,000 students. The school was founded in 1868 in the city of Whitewater and was a normal school for training teachers. Over the years, the campus grew and expanded in terms of the number of students and the number of programs offered. Today, UWW offers more than 175 undergraduate majors and minors in fields ranging from education to business to the natural sciences.
The city of Whitewater is quaint, and so too is the UWW campus. The small-town feel is emphasized by the fact that 83 percent of the student body is from Wisconsin. Moreover, the school boasts a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, so you can enjoy small class sizes as you complete the coursework necessary for your degree. When you aren’t in class, you can participate in one of more than 200 student clubs and organizations.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
The Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater specializes in Early Childhood Education. This program is longer than most at 129 credits. Most students need 4.5 years to finish the required coursework.
Once enrolled in this program, you will take classes that focus on curriculum development, classroom instruction, and classroom management. Likewise, you will take content-area courses like:
- Art in the Early Years
- Emergent Literacy and Beginning Reading Instruction
- Mathematical Concepts Development in Early Childhood Education
- Children’s Literature and Language Arts
- Early Childhood Music Methods
This program has extensive field experience requirements as well. For example, you will participate in field studies in kindergarten, first through third grades, and special education classes from third through eighth grade. These field experiences are in addition to student teaching, which occurs during the program’s final year.
UWW accepts online applications year-round. When applying, you must submit your high school transcripts. You can also provide your ACT or SAT scores if you like.
University of Wisconsin-Stout
The University of Wisconsin-Stout is part of the University of Wisconsin System. It was founded in 1891 in Menomonie, a small city in the western part of the state. Stout is one of just two universities in the University of Wisconsin system with a special mission – it’s the state’s polytechnic school, and as such, it offers programs related to technology, industry, applied art, and other professional careers.
With around 9,000 students, UW-Stout is a smaller university. However, you will find a great variety of majors and programs. The school offers around 50 undergraduate degrees and two dozen graduate programs.
There are also a handful of advanced graduate and doctoral programs. No matter your level of study, you’ll find that UW-Stout’s faculty are knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to go the extra mile to help you learn.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
The University of Wisconsin-Stout’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is an online program that offers you greater flexibility for completing your degree. You will complete 120 credits to graduate, including 40 core credits, such as math, science, and humanities, and 80 credits of major-area work.
Since early childhood education is a broad field, the major courses you will take are quite varied. For example, you will take classes like:
- Preschool/Kindergarten Education
- Inclusion of Students with Exceptional Needs
- Early Childhood Curriculum: Mathematics
- Child Guidance in PreSchool – Kindergarten
- Classroom Management in the Primary Classroom
Though your course studies occur online, this program includes student teaching placements in childcare facilities and schools near where you live. This kind of real-world experience is invaluable in helping you put your classroom learning into practice.
Additionally, you will benefit from faculty advisors that are deeply involved in your education and mentor you throughout your time in the program. You also get a personalized learning plan that maps out what courses you need to take and when to stay on track to graduate.
You can apply to UW-Stout online in just a few steps. There is no application fee. When applying, you must provide your high school transcripts. You can submit your ACT or SAT scores to support your application, but this is not required.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was founded in 1894 as a school to serve the educational needs of students in the central part of the state. UW-Stevens Point is a member of the University of Wisconsin System, meaning students have access to the amenities of the larger system of schools, including library collections at other campuses.
UW-Stevens Point offers 80 undergraduate programs and 90 minors, in addition to more than a dozen graduate programs. The school is known for offering flexible academic programs, including five-year bachelor/master’s degree programs, online courses and programs, and continuing education for adults. The quality of these programs has garnered UW-Stevens Point accolades like a ranking among the top regional public universities in the Midwest.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
UW-Stevens Point offers a 120-credit Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education that prepares you to earn a teaching certificate in the state of Wisconsin. Though the primary focus is on learning how to teach young children, the program also heavily emphasizes the need to work with families in a culturally-responsive manner. You will also gain skills that enable you to provide educational services to your students in a developmentally-appropriate manner.
This four-year program includes broad coursework in early childhood education, including:
- Methods and Materials for Teaching Reading
- Techniques in Elem School Social Studies
- Managing Learning Environments
- Elementary Physical Education
- Educational Technology
You will also take courses that equip you to teach children with special needs. You will put these skills to use during the final semester of the program, during which you’ll complete a 15-credit student teaching placement.
Though this program is strictly early childhood education, you can choose to add a minor in special education, or you can double major in early childhood education and elementary education, which allows you to teach children from birth through the ninth grade).
You can apply to UW-Stevens Point online using the institutional application or the common application. To do so, you will need to be a high school graduate or have a recognized equivalency. Your high school education must include the following:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Math, social science, and natural science
- 4 years of elective coursework
- 2-4 years of foreign language is strongly recommended, but not required
Early Childhood Education Work Opportunities in Wisconsin
Since Wisconsin has a number of special early childhood education-related programs implemented statewide, there is a strong need for educators and support staff with the appropriate training and credentials.
For example, at the time of writing, there are nearly 1,500 early childhood education jobs listed on the job search site Indeed. More than 1,200 jobs are currently available on SimplyHired. Though there is sure to be overlap between the two, the fact remains that there are hundreds of jobs available throughout Wisconsin.
To maximize your work opportunities, completing at least a bachelor’s degree is a good idea. An associate’s degree is adequate for entry-level positions, but you will need a bachelor’s degree with a licensure track to become an early childhood teacher. Once you have completed your degree and are licensed, you’ll be eligible for certified positions in schools in all corners of the state.
If you have aspirations to be an administrator, you will need to take your education a step further. Administrative positions in early childhood education require a master’s degree at a minimum, in addition to an administrative endorsement on your teaching license. Though it takes more time and money to complete a graduate degree, your employment options will be even greater, and the pay range will be higher, too!
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