Education: Early Childhood BS
Are you interested in teaching children from birth to age 8 (through third grade)? Our Early Childhood Education degree program will prepare you to work in a variety of early care and education settings, such as public and private schools, local Head Start agencies, child care centers and preschools.
Program Type
Program Format
Why Choose the Early Childhood Education Program?
- Diversity: Learn teaching methods for all children, including those who have a home language other than English. Bilingual certification is available for students proficient in Spanish, Hmong or Lao.
- Hands-On: Get classroom-based field experiences in a variety of settings in Milwaukee and the surrounding metro area.
- Flexibility: Full- and part-time study options are available. Coursework is also offered in summer and during the January break.
Students in the early childhood education degree program take courses that prepare them to work with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. All of our courses are part of an innovative teacher education curriculum and taught by highly qualified faculty.
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.
Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Visit the Inclusive Early Childhood Education webpage to learn more about this upcoming program that will prepare students to teach in settings for young children from birth through third grade.
Research
Faculty-guided undergraduate and graduate research opportunities are available. For more information about faculty research, please visit the profile page of Leanne M. Evans.
Careers
Our graduates are employed in a wide range of professional settings:
- Milwaukee Public Schools
- Racine Unified School District
- Kenosha Unified School District
- Oak Creek-Franklin School District
- West Allis-West Milwaukee School District
- Waukesha School District
- UW-Milwaukee Children’s Learning Center
- Local Head Start agencies
- Next Door
- Community-based childcare centers
Program Requirements
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can earn their teaching certification by successfully completing our post-baccalaureate teaching certification 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)
Graduate Program
Please contact Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Program Chair for more information at levans@uwm.edu. This is a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS Degree program. See C&I Master’s degree program.
Admission Criteria
Undergraduate Students – with or without Certification
Teacher candidates are admitted to the early childhood education degree program upon declaring the major or transferring from another institution. Candidates can be admitted to the certification track(s) of the 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
Post-Baccalaureate Students
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all coursework completed for undergraduate credit
- Submit application materials by April 30 for summer admission, by July 15 for fall admission and by Dec. 15 for spring admission
Application Process
Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate students interesting in applying to the program can complete the admission review form linked below.
Undergraduate Admission Review Form
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Follow the steps listed in the Early Childhood Education Post-Baccalaureate Program Application (PDF). Applications must be received by April 30 for Summer admission, July 15 for fall admission and Dec. 15 for spring admission.
Graduate Program
Please contact Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Program Chair for more information at levans@uwm.edu. This is a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS Degree program. See C&I Master’s degree program.
Faculty
Advising
- (Last names A – L) – Andrea Azarian
- (Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas
- Senior Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
- azarian@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4721
- Enderis Hall 209
- Senior Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services
- nclaas@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4721
- Enderis Hall 209
Academic Resources
April 30 (Summer)
July 15 (Fall)
Dec. 15 (Spring)
Associate Professor and Program Chair
levans@uwm.edu
Anita Osvatic
Teaching Faculty III, Program Director, and Student Teaching Coordinator
osvatic@uwm.edu
For information or questions about admissions, contact:
Maggie Kaczmarek
Undergraduate Admissions Manager
kaczmarm@uwm.edu
To discuss your academic plan and coursework, contact an academic advisor:
Office of Student Services Advising
soeinfo@uwm.edu
414-229-4721
Academic Advising
(Last names A – L) – Andrea Azarian
(Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas