Exceptional Education: Early Childhood BS
Looking to make a meaningful impact early in a child’s life? UWM’s Early Childhood Special Education program prepares you to support young children with disabilities during their most critical developmental years. As early identification continues to grow, so does the need for skilled educators in this field.
Through this program, you’ll develop the expertise to work in high-demand settings such as early intervention programs, preschools, and elementary schools—helping children and their families build strong foundations for lifelong success.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Pathways to a Degree in Early Childhood Special Education
Undergraduate Pathway (First Bachelor’s Degree)
Students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree will complete the BS Education: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education program. This integrated program leads to dual teaching licensure in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. This pathway also includes options for additional add-on certification in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education.
Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Option
Already have a bachelor’s degree? You can transition into teaching or pursue a new area of teaching licensure through our post-baccalaureate pathway by completing either or both of these programs: BS in Early Childhood Special Education or the BS in Early Childhood Education. Designed to build on your previous academic experience, these programs may allow you to apply prior coursework toward requirements—helping you move more efficiently toward earning your teaching license.
Who Should Consider the Early Childhood Education Program?
- Undergraduates or transfer students.
- Career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Those who hold an associate degree in early childhood education and would like to complete a degree and a Wisconsin teacher license.
- Those who would like to attain master’s-level credits with certification or a master’s degree.
Continue Your Journey: Master’s Degree Option
Looking to advance your impact in early childhood education? UWM offers a master’s degree with a focus area in Early Childhood Education through the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) MS program. This option is ideal for educators who want to deepen their expertise, expand their career opportunities, or grow as leaders in the field.
For more information, contact Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Program Chair, at levans@uwm.edu, or explore the C&I Master’s degree program.
Career
UWM’s Early Childhood Special Education Program prepares teachers to provide special education services in infant/toddler, preschool or primary settings up to third grade. It emphasizes multicultural, family-centered and interdisciplinary preparation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool, kindergarten and elementary school levels are the fastest-growing areas of special education.
Scholarships
We are excited to make available awards for tuition and book costs for some full- and part-time students in the Early Childhood Special Education program. These awards are made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, through Project EI/EC Engage. Priority is given to students with a strong academic record or documentation of recent superior performance in employment.
Research
Dr. Maggie Bartlett’s research focuses on the cultural practices and complexities as it intersects with the education for children with disabilities and their families. She uses critical, decolonizing, social justice and comparative lenses in her work both nationally and in Namibia and Tanzania.
Program Requirements
Post-Baccalaureate Licensure Pathways
Post-baccalaureate students take classes toward either or both of these programs: BS Education: Early Childhood education program or the BS Exceptional Education: Early Childhood program.
It’s possible that coursework completed as part of your bachelor’s degree could be applied towards our program. Please complete the web form below to find out if any of your previous course work can be used to fulfill certification requirements.
Request for Transcript Evaluation Form (for post-baccalaureate students only)
Undergraduate Pathway
Students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree will complete the BS Education: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education (IECTE) program. Please see the IECTE Program Requirements for complete details.
Master’s Degree
You have the option of combining the certification program with a master’s degree, taking up to 18 credits of your certification program at the graduate level. The remaining credits, including an action research project, can be completed after certification. Your advisor will help you determine the best time in your program to apply to the graduate school.
809 Add-On License
The Department of Exceptional Education is authorized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to extend the certification held by Early Childhood: Exceptional Education Needs teachers (license 808) from birth through kindergarten to birth through age 8. This is known as an 809 add-on license.
The 809 license extends your teaching options, allowing you to teach children with disabilities in infant/toddler programs and in kindergarten through third grade. The 809 add-on program requires the following courses:
- CURRINS 330: Teaching of Mathematics: Early Childhood
- CURRINS 504: Teaching of Reading and Writing in Early Childhood: Primary
- EXCEDUC 570: Curriculum & Methods for Special Ed.: Primary
- EXCEDUC 649: Early Childhood Field Experience: Primary
- EXCEDUC 682: Language and Literacy in ECSE
UWM Admission
| Undergraduate Admission | To be considered for admission to UWM, you must meet all UWM admissions requirements and complete the Universities of Wisconsin Application. |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certification | The School of Education post-baccalaureate certification programs lead to teaching certification and licensure. This pathway is for someone who already has an undergraduate degree and aspires to become a classroom teacher. |
| Graduate Admission | To be considered for admission to the School of Education Curriculum and Instruction, MS or Exceptional Education, MS program you must meet all UWM Graduate School admission requirements. Individuals interested in earning teacher certification with their master’s degree will select a certification area of interest. |
The Universities of Wisconsin Application is required even if you have applied or attended UWM previously as an undergraduate, graduate, or University Special student.
In completing the Universities of Wisconsin application, attend to the following:
- It is important that you answer the initial questions in a specific way to ensure that your application is coded correctly.
- When asked, “Are you applying for a degree or a few courses?” you must select “Degree.”
- When asked, “Are you looking to earn a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree?” you must select “Bachelor’s Degree.”
- Select UW-Milwaukee as the campus to which you are applying.
- When you arrive at the “Choose your major/program” page, select “Education & Training” followed by your specific area.
- Select your desired semester/start term and continue with the remainder of the application.
- Important Note: For the essay portion of the application, include the statement “I am applying to pursue a teaching certification” along with your current WI teaching license information or if you’re seeking initial WI teaching licensure, as well as subject areas of interest.
- Required: Official transcripts from all institutions where undergraduate and graduate credit has been earned, except UWM. Transcripts should be sent directly from your institution(s) to UWM.
School of Education: Advancement to Professional Sequence Process (Advance to Major)
All applicants to the Early Childhood Special Education degree program must meet the following requirements to advance to the professional program sequence.
Teacher candidates are admitted to the early childhood education degree program upon declaring the major or transferring from another institution. Candidates can advance to the professional sequence of coursework of this major upon:
- Successful completion of 30 credits
- Completion of UWM competency requirements in English and mathematics
- Completion of Currins 501 and Currins 240 with a grade of C or better
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all coursework completed for undergraduate credit
- Cleared Criminal Background Check (CBC) on file.
Complete the Intent to Advance to Professional Sequence Form
Advancement to the professional program sequence is based on a review of all application materials by the program admission committee and is contingent upon availability of space.
Faculty
- Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
- bartletm@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6914
- Enderis Hall 317
- Director, Institute for Urban Education
- Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
- levans@uwm.edu
- 414-229-7324
- Enderis Hall 395
- Teaching Faculty III, Teaching and Learning
- Program Director, Early Childhood Education
- osvatic@uwm.edu
- Enderis Hall 385
April 1
Associate Professor
bartletm@uwm.edu
Dr. Leanne M. Evans
Associate Professor
levans@uwm.edu
Anita Osvatic
Teaching Faculty III, Program Director, and Student Teaching Coordinator
osvatic@uwm.edu
Dr. Crystasany R. Turner
Assistant Professor
crturner@uwm.edu
To discuss your academic plan and coursework, contact an academic advisor:
Student Advising & Support Services
ccep-advising@uwm.edu
(414) 229-4721