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Programs & Courses > Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

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Learning Options Pathways Additional Info

A child’s learning experiences in his or her first eight years of life are crucial to social, mental and emotional growth and development and academic success. Working in this field requires patience, creativity, and a desire to make a difference in a child’s life. It also requires keen observation skills, a talent for human insight, and clear communication skills.

As a student in Blackhawk's Early Childhood Education program, you will gain those skills and more. You’ll learn how to incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) into early childhood education, making you a highly desirable candidate as an educator who can help children develop their critical thinking skills through fun and play. You’ll learn innovative teaching techniques and skills through a hands-on approach in a unique learning environment. With field experience taking place in the first semester, you’ll know early on if working in early childhood education is right for you.

We also offer the ECE4U program in conjunction with UW-Whitewater. The ECE4U program lets you complete your two-year degree here and then transfer to UWW to get a dual license, allowing you to teach early childhood through third grade and special education through third grade. 

Tuition
& Potential Earnings

Estimated Tuition Cost

$9,743

Paying For College

Median Wage

$32,300

Based on Lightcast Occupational Employment Statistics

Academic Plan

  • ECE: Foundations of Early Childhood Education
  • ECE: Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • ECE: Infant & Toddler Development
  • ECE: Field Experience 1
  • English Composition 1
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • ECE: Child Development
  • ECE: Guiding Children's Behavior
  • ECE: Early Language & Literacy
  • ECE: Social Studies, Art & Music
  • ECE: Field Experience 2
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • ECE: Children with Differing Abilities
  • Speech
  • ECE: Field Experience 3
  • ECE: STEM
  • Mathematical Reasoning or Intermediate Algebra with Applications
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • ECE: Family and Community Relationships
  • ECE: Field Experience 4
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Elective
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

Flexible Learning Options

Many courses at Blackhawk are offered in one or more of these formats:

  • In-Person
  • Live Online (synchronous)
  • Online Anytime (asynchronous)
  • FlexLab (in-person when it fits your schedule)

For some courses, we offer a MyEdChoice option, allowing you to choose how to attend each class session. You can switch between online and in-person formats from week to week or even day to day, depending on your needs and schedule. More Information

In Person
MyEdChoice
Hybrid
FlexLab

Get Credit For Your Experience!

Have you acquired relevant education or work experience? You might qualify for credits based on your prior learning.

Learn More

Start Your Journey to Success Today

Get in touch with an advisor to discuss program details, curriculum, credit transfer options, and financial aid opportunities.

Apply Today Connect to an advisor

Additional Program Information

Early Childhood Education program graduates will meet the state educational requirements to be a child care teacher in a licensed group early childhood center for children ages two weeks to 10 years old.

  • Physical information needs to be completed before beginning classes
  • A caregiver background check and health examination are required prior to beginning a clinical/practicum

Please note: drug testing may also be required by certain sites. There are fees associated with these tasks. For more information, please contact the program faculty and/or program advisor.

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:

  • Apply child development theory to practice
  • Cultivate relationships with children, family, and the community
  • Assess child growth and development
  • Use effective, research-based practices in teaching and learning
  • Demonstrate professionalism
  • Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices

The T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program is a program administered by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and is funded through the Department of Children & Families (DCF). It offers qualifying students a major portion of tuition and book costs, plus a travel stipend and a bonus upon completion.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships can be used for the Early Childhood Education associate degree or any of the credentials offered at Blackhawk Technical College. For more information, call 1 (800) 783-9322 ext. 7240.

Learn More About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

Highlights

Associate Degree

61 Credits

Beloit-Janesville Campus

6004 S. County Road G, Janesville, WI 53547

Potential Careers

Nannies

Nursery Schools

Day Care Centers

Infant Toddler Center

Instructional Aide in Public Schools

Early Childhood Education student Hope Hopper

“If you are looking for a college where you know that you matter and know when you graduate, you can make a difference, Blackhawk is the school for you.”

Hope Hopper

Early Childhood Education

Career Pathways

A Career Pathway is a step-by-step plan designed to lead you to career success and advancement.

1

Associate Degree

Early Childhood Education

2