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
Major
Program Format
On Campus
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.
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.
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 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
- Director, Institute for Urban Education
- Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
- levans@uwm.edu
- 414-229-7324
- Enderis Hall 395
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
To discuss your academic plan and coursework, contact an academic advisor:
Office of Student Services Advising
soeinfo@uwm.edu
414-229-4721