Early Childhood Education
64 Credit Associate DegreeProgram Description
The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program prepares students to work as early childhood educators. It combines hands-on fieldwork with related academic work. Graduates become responsible for the care and education of children in the birth-to-eight-years range. They create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning experiences, and work cooperatively with staff and families.
This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record
Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record.
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Approximate Program Cost
$10,670
Tuition & Fees:
$10,199
Books & Supplies: $471
Books & Supplies: $471
Starting Salary
$22,360–$45,760
Average,
based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Available
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Program Overview Video
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Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
- Integrate health, safety and nutrition practices
- Demonstrate professionalism
- Use best practices in teaching and learning
- Assess child growth and development
- Cultivate relationships with children, family and the community
- Apply child development theory to practice
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
- Elementary Public School Teacher Aide
- Child Care Program Supervisor
- Child Care Director
- Day Care Center Teacher
- Early Childhood Education Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
Courses
The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree is a 64 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
View All Detailed Course Information
Pathways
Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.
If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Early Childhood Education Associate Degree:
- The Early Childhood Teacher Technical Diploma will provide you with 48% (31 of 64 credits) of the total credits in this Early Childhood Education Associate Degree
- The Early Childhood Licensing Basic Ages 0-2 Certificate will provide you with 14% (9 of 64 credits) of the total credits in this Early Childhood Education Associate Degree
- The Early Childhood Education - The Registry Preschool Certificate will provide you with 28% (18 of 64 credits) of the total credits in this Early Childhood Education Associate Degree
Transfer Information
You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.
Program Transfer
The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.
| School Name | Degree Name |
|---|---|
| Concordia University | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| Northland College | Bachelor of Elementary/Middle Education |
| Rasmussen College | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Leadership |
| UW Milwaukee | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| UW Oshkosh | Bachelor of Dual EC-MC Regular Education with EC Special Education |
| UW Oshkosh | Bachelor of Elementary Education EC-MC |
| UW Oshkosh | Bachelor of Human Services Leadership |
| UW Parkside | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| UW River Falls | Bachelor of Early Childhood Transition |
| UW River Falls | Bachelor of Elementary Education / Early Childhood ED |
| UW Stevens Point | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| UW Stout | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| UW Stout | Bachelor of Human Development & Family Studies |
| UW Superior | Bachelor of Elementary Ed with Early Childhood |
| UW Whitewater | Bachelor of Early Child Care and Education |
| UW Whitewater | Bachelor of Early Childhood Education |
| Viterbo University | Bachelor of Elementary Education |
General Transfer
All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.
View all transfer guides
Cost of Attendance
2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.
| Expenses | Student Living With Parents (Home) | Student Living on Own (Other) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring) |
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| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $3,008 | $9,147 | ||
| Books / Supplies | $1,465 | $1,465 | ||
| Transportation | $4,017 | $4,017 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $3,608 | $3,608 | ||
| Loan Fees | $85 | $85 | ||
| Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance |
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* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
NTC Financial Aid Office
- 715.803.1647
- financialaid@ntc.edu
Additional Information
Licensure/Certification Information
NTC's Early Childhood Education Associate Degree is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing criteria. However, NTC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the NTC program meets licensure or certification requirements.
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Before you apply, you should know
This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowWhat’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.