B.S. Early Childhood Education Online

If you're a working adult who enjoys working with children, our online program will give you the skills to make a career from your dreams.
Degree Type Bachelor of Science
Careers & Salaries Career Outcomes
Delivery Online

Make a Difference Teaching Early Learners

Children are the foundation for a bright future. It’s never too early to start giving them the tools they need to be successful. If you're a working adult look to take your career further by working with children, our online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Childhood Education will prepare you for a successful career on a schedule that works for you. 

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100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education.

Career-Defining Curriculum

As a UW-Stout Early Childhood Education major, you'll graduate qualified for licensure to teach birth through third grade in Wisconsin's general and special education classrooms. Throughout your program of study, you'll have the support of our experienced tenured faculty and a caring community of peer learners. And you'll have additional opportunities to network with future colleagues through student organizations related to the teaching field.

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Program Overview

View program plans, credit requirements and course descriptions.

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Note: This program is designed to meet the requirements for licensure in the State of Wisconsin. The program also meets initial licensure requirements in all other states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. If you are located in another state, there may be additional requirements to complete after obtaining initial licensure. Visit our website for additional information.

Program Highlights

  • Small online class sizes
  • Real-world experience in childcare facilities and school districts near you
  • Strong advisement from faculty
  • Personalized learning plans created based on transfer credits already completed
  • Eligible for dual licensure in early childhood education (Birth-Grade 3) and early childhood special education (Birth-Grade 3)

"Stout has provided so many opportunities for me that I did not know were possible. All within a short two years, and before the start of student teaching, my confidence has grown as well as my passion for teaching."

~ Ana Jane Schuerstedt
B.S. Early Childhood Education

Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education.

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Customized Tuition & Fees

UW-Stout degree programs using the customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:

  • Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
  • There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
  • Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live--Wisconsin, California, Texas, or in a foreign country.

More Value for Your Money

Customized Instruction also provides:

  • Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
  • Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
  • Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
  • Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
  • Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.

Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Admission Requirements

Application Requirements

  • Earned associate's degree in Early Childhood education
    or
  • Earned bachelor's degree
    or
  • Significant transfer credits from a different institution

Transfer Students

  • Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher from the last institution attended.

Students who meet this requirement will be admitted to the university in their chosen Education major. Subsequent acceptance into a teacher education major and enrollment in professional education coursework will require successful completion of Benchmark I requirements. Additional information can be found at the School of Education website.

Students whose cumulative GPA is lower than the 2.75 will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis for admission consideration.

This online program is for working adults and provides the same quality of academic teaching and learning to meet your goals. We also offer a post-baccalaureate option if you currently have a teaching license in another area.

Career Opportunities

Careers

  • Public and Private School Teachers (Pre-school-third grade)
  • Head Start Director
  • Assistant Director
  • Infant/Toddler Teacher
  • Pre-K Teacher
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • First Grade Teacher
  • Second Grade Teacher
  • Third Grade Teacher

Stout Graduates at Work

  • Starting preschool program » Lime Springs and Ridgeway, Iowa
  • Starting 4K program » Ellsworth, Wisconsin
  • First Grade Teacher » Almond-Bancroft, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » St. Paul, Minnesota
  • Elementary Teacher » Denver, Colorado
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Frederick, Wisconsin
  • First Grade Teacher » Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Bloomer, Wisconsin
  • Third Grade Teacher » Almena, Wisconsin
  • 4K Teacher » Mosinee, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Eau Claire, Wisconsin
  • Third Grade Teacher » Stanley-Boyd, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Eleva-Strum, Wisconsin
  • First Grade Teacher » Cokato, Minnesota
  • Pre-K Teacher » Shell Lake, Wisconsin
  • Elementary Teacher » Alaska
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
  • 4K Teacher » Baraboo, Wisconsin
  • Pre-K Teacher » Plum City, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  • Teacher for Teach For America » South Dakota
  • First Grade Teacher » East Central Schools, Minnesota
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Arizona
  • First Grade Teacher » Spooner, Wisconsin
  • 4K Teacher » Madison, Wisconsin
  • Second Grade Teacher » Colby, Wisconsin
  • Second Grade Teacher » Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  • Kindergarten Teacher » Coolidge, Arizona
Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

James ArenzAdvisement CenterUW-Stout
Lindsay BarnhartProgram DirectorECE
Nikki BresinaDirectorKIDSusa
AmberCarlsrud Barron Public Schools
Beth ComstockFirst Grade TeacherBarron Public Schools
Tracy DeRusha Office of Field Experiences
Allison Feller Director CFSC
AngelaGilbertson Instructional Specialist
Lisa Jasper MyerThird Grade TeacherWakanda Elementary, Menomonie School District
Carol Johnson Associate Dean (SOE)
MaggieKeenan Instructional Specialist
JillKlefstad ECE faculty
TheresaKohlmier ECE faculty
Ruth Nyland CEHHHS/SCOPE
ChrisPeterson Department Chair (SCOPE)
Kathy PreusseTeacherChippewa Valley Technical College
RobertSalt Dean (CEHHHS)
Lori SmithPrincipalOak Lawn Elementary, Menomonie School District
Sapna Thapa ECE faculty
LindaYoung Admissions - Transfers and Articulation
Joseph ZawickyKindergradten TeacherAugusts Schools

Early Childhood Education

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Early childhood education faculty Lindsay Barnhart recognized with national Phi Upsilon Omicron adviser award

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More than 100 outstanding students recognized at annual Leadership Awards ceremony

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UW-Stout’s Child and Family Study Center looks to strengthen Wisconsin’s child care workforce

Center at the heart of Heritage Hall project provides critical career training through community service