B.S. Early Childhood Education

Devote your career to providing child the tools and support for lifelong growth and development.
Degree Type Bachelor of Science
Careers & Salaries Career Outcomes
Delivery On Campus

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've always enjoyed working with children, our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Childhood Education will give you the skills to make a career from your dreams. 

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100% of Graduates Are Employed or Continuing Education.

UW-Stout's B.S. Early Childhood Education degree gives you real-world experiences in childcare. Our hands-on learning environments include childcare facilities on and off-campus. / UW-Stout

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

  • Eligible for licensure in Early Childhood Education (birth through grade three) and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth through grade three)
  • 250 hours of hands-on work with children before you even start student teaching
  • Small class sizes 
  • Real-world experience in child care facilities on and off campus
  • Strong advisement from faculty 
  • Graduate in four years

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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Do More in Our Industry-Standard Labs

Infant & Toddler Education Lab

UW-Stout's Infant & Toddler Education Lab is a certified childcare center for the university staff, students and the Menomonie community. Students in the School of Education's Early Childhood Education program provide childcare for children ages 0-3.

"We really focus on teaching the children self-help skills and social and emotional skills, like learning to share toys, take turns, and asking friends if they are hurt," said Aaron Wisecup, an early childhood education graduate who worked in the lab.

Working alongside other student staff and experienced faculty and watching children develop gives students the necessary experience to benefit in their future teaching careers.

Child & Family Study Center

UW-Stout’s Child and Family Study Center will provide many opportunities to observe child behaviors. Our five early childhood classrooms are the perfect setting to learn teaching techniques.

You can add the Early Childhood Special Education certification with only five more classes and a fourth student teaching placement for licensure outside of WI.

"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
Admission Requirements

New First-Year Students

  • There are no additional requirements for new first-year students.

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.

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 Arenz UW-Stout Advisement Center
Lindsay BarnhartProgram Director, ECEUW-Stout
Nikki BresinaDirectorKIDSusa
AmberCarlsrud Barron Public Schools
Beth ComstockFirst Grade TeacherBarron Public Schools
Tracy DeRushaOffice of Field ExperiencesUW-Stout
Allison FellerDirector CFSCUW-Stout
AngelaGilbertsonInstructional SpecialistUW-Stout
Lisa Jasper MyerThird Grade TeacherWakanda Elementary, Menomonie School District
Carol JohnsonAssociate Dean (SOE)UW-Stout
MaggieKeenanInstructional SpecialistUW-Stout
JillKlefstadECE facultyUW-Stout
TheresaKohlmierECE facultyUW-Stout
Ruth NylandCEHHHS/SCOPEUW-Stout
ChrisPetersonDepartment Chair (SCOPE)UW-Stout
Kathy PreusseTeacherChippewa Valley Technical College
RobertSaltDean (CEHHHS)UW-Stout
Lori SmithPrincipalOak Lawn Elementary, Menomonie School District
Sapna ThapaECE facultyUW-Stout
LindaYoungAdmissions - Transfers and ArticulationUW-Stout
Joseph ZawickyKindergarten TeacherAugusta Schools
Student Organizations

​​​​Student Organizations

Stout Association for the Education of Young Children
Assists professionals working with young children - and others interested in the lives of young children — to better understand children's needs.    

Aspiring Educators of Wisconsin (AEW)
Develops understanding and appreciation for the education profession

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.
Learn More

Early Childhood Education

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

Students receive national service award for second year in a row for dedication to community projects
Inspiring Graduate: Lauren Arenz, B.S. Early Childhood Education Featured Image

Inspiring Graduate: Lauren Arenz, B.S. Early Childhood Education

‘My experiences at UW-Stout have made a monumental difference helping me to better understand my future aspirations in life.’
More than 100 outstanding students recognized at annual Leadership Awards ceremony Featured Image

More than 100 outstanding students recognized at annual Leadership Awards ceremony

Wood Medallion recipients Charest, Timm share experiences in service on and off campus