Associate of Applied Science│2 Years│63 Credits│Fond du Lac and West Bend Campuses │ Eligible for Financial Aid
Early Childhood Education Program
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) 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.
New Scholarship: ECE students in the West Bend area will now have access to a unique scholarship opportunity thanks to a partnership between Moraine Park and The West Bend Community Foundation.
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
Explore related programs to start your career:
Estimated Costs
Estimated costs below are based on the 2023-2024 school year. These fees look at the cost to complete all classes. Costs, textbooks and supplies subject to change. For more details, see Cost of Attendance.
$11,258.10
Current tuition and fees
Coming Soon
Textbooks*
*Based on new books, rental, electronic, and used options may be available.
Tuition Costs
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.
Please refer to the Tuition & Fee Information for enrollment fee information.
Cost of Attendance
Cost of attendance (sometimes referred to as the “sticker price”) is the maximum amount of money it costs to attend college for one year and is used to determine your financial aid offering.
While attending Moraine Park during the 2024-25 school year, your estimated cost of attendance for one full year includes tuition of $4,462 (15 credits for fall and spring semester), fees of $338, food and housing of $3,008 (if living with parents, $9,147 if living on your own), books and supplies of $1,465, personal expenses of $3,608, and transportation of $4,017 for a total of $17,002. Your direct costs (those costs paid directly to the college) include tuition & fees. The indirect costs (costs not paid to the college) can vary from individual to individual and your own personal needs.
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.
Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 4-5 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 in the “Barred Offenses – Regulated Child Care” guide.
ECE Student Voices
“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 Student
High school 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 technical college curriculum, grading policies and textbooks.
Has previous life experience already helped you build knowledge and skills applicable to your studies? Applying previously earned credits to a program of study can save you both time spent in the classroom and money spent on tuition and fees.
Transferring here is easy! You can transfer in prior college work by submitting official college transcripts or get a free transcript review.
Financial Aid is provided to aid eligible associate degree and technical diploma programs with 28 credits or more. Processing can take 6-8 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received.
Financial Aid is available for associate degree and technical diploma programs (those that are 2 semesters in length and typically with 28 credits or more). Processing can take 4-5 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received. Visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.
Our recruiters on any of the three campuses are ready to help you plan your future!