Post-Baccalaureate Admission Application

Applying to the English Language Arts, 4-12 Education post-baccalaureate program requires some advance planning on your part. Following these steps will help to ensure a smooth application process.

  1. Submit a request for transcript evaluation

    The program director will review your previous coursework and determine which courses will meet program requirements for teacher certification. The request should be submitted before or at the time of applying for admission to the program.

    Request for Transcript Evaluation

  2. Meet with your academic advisor

    Schedule a meeting with a School of Education academic advisor to discuss the post-baccalaureate program requirements and your eligibility for admission to the program. You can schedule and appointment by calling 414- 229-4721.

    (Last names A – L) – Tammy Badura, tlbadura@uwm.edu
    (Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas, nclaas@uwm.edu

  3. Submit the UW System application for admission to UWM

    The UW System application is required even if you have applied or attended UWM previously as an undergraduate, graduate, or University Special student.

    UW System Application

    In completing the UW System application, attend to the following:

    1. It is important that you answer the initial questions in a specific way to ensure that your application is coded correctly.
      1. When asked, “Are you applying for a degree or a few courses?” you must select “Degree.”
      2. When asked, “Are you looking to earn a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree?” you must select “Bachelor’s Degree.”
    2. Select UW-Milwaukee as the campus to which you are applying.
    3. When you arrive at the “Choose your major/program” page. Select “Education & Training” and then select “English 4-12”.
    4. Select your desired semester/start term and continue with the remainder of the application.
    5. Important Note: For the essay portion of the application, type the following: “I am applying to pursue a post-baccalaureate teaching certification.”
    6. 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.

  4. Submit a Criminal Background Check (CBC)

    The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that all applicants to an educator preparation program pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to admission. CBCs previously completed for employment or other purposes cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. You cannot be admitted or enroll in professional education courses until your CBC has cleared. 

    UWM uses CastleBranch to process our admission CBCs. The fee for this CBC is $40 however, through June 1, 2024, we are offsetting this cost for students by $27. Once you are admitted, $27 will be credited to your UWM student account. To proceed with the CastleBranch CBC, please follow the link to the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee – School of Education portal: https://portal.castlebranch.com/IQ15

    • Choose the option for General Admissions
    • Be sure that you also complete the Background Information Disclosure (BID) form
    • If you have questions about this process, contact the CastleBranch Service Desk at (888) 914-7279 or email servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com

    Criminal Background Check Requirements

  5. Prepare a resume and essay

    All applicants to the English Education Program must prepare and submit a resume and essay. Please ensure your resume is viewable by anyone with the link.

    Essay Guidelines

    Discuss what experiences you have had that have influenced your decision to study education – in particular a teacher certification program housed in a School of Education invested in improving and supporting urban education in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Please frame your essay in a way that the following issues contextualize your discussion:

    • Relevant course work that informs your decision to certify in English Language Arts Education.
    • Relevant field (life) experiences, in and out of a school setting, that inform your decision to become an educator.
    • An appreciation of the broad social issues that affect urban schools and their students.
    • Concrete detail and rich language that describe your experience.

    Format: You will enter your written statement into a textbox as part of your application.

    Directions: Prepare your essay (maximum of 4000 characters) in a word processing program, save the file, and then cut and paste your statement into the online form.

  6. Complete the following application form

Name(Required)
Mailing Address(Required)
Note: Please ensure your resume is viewable by anyone with the link.
Bachelor’s Degree Information
Acknowledgement: By submitting this form, I am applying for English Language and Arts, 4-12 post-baccalaureate program. I acknowledge that I have completed the following:
  • Met with an academic advisor.
  • Submitted a request for a transcript evaluation.
  • Submitted a Criminal Background Check.
  • Submitted the Online UW-System application for admission to UWM.
  • Requested official transcripts be sent to UWM as part of my UW-System application (if applicable).
Once the Submit button is clicked, your application will be submitted, and the page will reload. You will receive a confirmation email.
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