Associate of Applied Science│2 Years│63 Credits│Fond du Lac & West Bend Campus │ Eligible for Financial Aid│Program Start: Fall 2022
The Early Childhood Education associate degree program at Moraine Park prepares students for their journey as educators, setting the stage for graduates to work as teachers and caregivers in two years.
For students in the Early Childhood Education program, no day will be alike. Students in the program balance both academic coursework and practical experience, gaining hands-on experience at local child care centers. Students gain practice guiding child behavior and working cooperatively with staff and parents. This program has daytime courses offered at our Fond du Lac campus and evening courses offered at our West Bend campus, with some courses available online.
Students in the Early Childhood Education program learn to…
- Care for and educate children
- Play a key role in children’s development
- Maintain a clean and safe environment
- Plan educational activities
- Assess child growth and progress
Graduates of the program are prepared to work with children from birth to 8-year age range and are well-prepared for a variety of Early Childhood Education jobs.
Potential jobs and careers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Child Care Teacher
- Child Care Assistant Teacher
- Family Child Care Provider
- Infant or Toddler Caregiver
- In-Home Nanny
- Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
Course Requirements
This is a 63-credit program. The following courses need to be passed to complete the program. Each credit costs approximately $173.50 for Wisconsin residents (see next tab).
High School Dual Credit
Dual credit provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, without leaving their high school classroom. The courses are taught by certified high school instructors using a technical college curriculum, grading policies and textbooks. Learn More
Credit for Prior Learning
Earn college credit through Moraine Park’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) opportunities. Credit opportunities are available for:
- Previous college coursework from prior institutions
- Military training and experience
- Passing of MPTC or national exams
- Skills or knowledge developed on the job or through other life experiences
Visit MPTC’s Credit for Prior Learning page for more information.
Credit Transfer
You can transfer in prior college work by submitting official college transcripts or get a free transcript review. You can also earn credits at MPTC and transfer to a four-year college to earn your bachelor’s degree.
Visit the Transfer Opportunities page for more information on credit transfer agreements between Moraine Park and four-year colleges, both public and private.
Tuition Costs
This is a 63-credit program. The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors such as total credits required, textbooks and the financial aid you receive. Some programs have additional costs such as uniforms, technology and equipment.
- $143.45 per credit (resident)
- $215.18 per credit (out-of-state resident)
- Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.
- Please refer to the Tuition & Fee Information for additional enrollment fee information.
Additional Costs
Students must purchase a smock for Practicum visits. The approximate cost is $50. Required books and materials are an additional cost. New, used, and rental books may be an option.
Scholarships
Scholarships may be available for students who are employed in a licensed child care center or a licensed or certified family child care program. Applicants must have the support of their employer and possess a high school diploma or GED. Scholarships for the Early Childhood Administrative Credential Certificate are available through the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association T.E.A.C.H. program.
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Credits:
Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 6-8 weeks for some programs, so plan ahead.
View and begin standard admissions steps.
There are additional health requirements for students in this program.
If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact us at admissions@morainepark.edu OR 920-924-3200, TTY/VP:Use Relay VRS.
State Licensure Disclosure: Moraine Park’s Early Childhood Education program prepares students to obtain the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. No determination has been made if the curriculum matches the educational requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure for other states. Visit the Accreditation page for more details about accreditation.
Important:
This program does not require a Criminal Background Check at the point of admission, but a Criminal Background Check will be required. Students will need to successfully pass a Criminal Background Check to progress in and complete the program. Students will receive information regarding completing this requirement before being placed working/observing in a child care facility.
Please Note:
Moraine Park Technical College does not guarantee…
- Placement to practicum sites;
- Potential or future employment eligibility beyond graduation;
- Ability to sit for licensure or certification exams or achievement of
credentials related to licensure or certification.
Taking a course within the Early Childhood Education curriculum prior to completing and passing a criminal background check does not guarantee enrollment in any one of the four practicum courses required for program completion.
More information regarding barred offenses that may impact a person’s ability to work at a child care center can be found here.
“I love Moraine Park because of the smaller class size. There is more attention here and you can tell the instructors really care about your success.”
Sydney S. – Early Childhood Education