Teaching Wisconsin’s Teachers, Strengthening America’s Future

The Department of Teaching and Learning offers programs for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. We prepare teachers at the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate level to work in settings serving culturally and linguistically diverse children.

Our department features an American Sign Language studies degree, as well as training for interpreters of American Sign Language. We are committed to social justice, equity, and advocacy for children, youth, and families. We educate students to be effective, evidence-based practitioners and leaders, prepared to serve diverse communities situated locally, regionally, and globally.

At the undergraduate level, the department offers teacher education programs for Early Childhood (grades PK-3), Middle Childhood Through Early Adolescence (grades 1-8), Early Adolescence Through Adolescence (grades 6-12), and Early Childhood Through Adolescence Level (PK-12), in regular and special education. The department offers interpreter training and American Sign Language programs at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level, the department offers Masters degrees in Curriculum and Instruction (with multiple specializations) and Exceptional Education, certificates in a wide variety of specialty areas, and participates in the School-wide Urban Education Doctoral Program.

American Sign Language

Teacher Certification Programs

Graduate Studies in Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies in Exceptional Education

Post baccalaureate students have the option to combine teacher certification with a master’s degree program. Additionally, we have a masters’ option involving a specialized focus other than certification. Please click on the program title for information.

Master of Science in Exceptional Education

Additionally, students in the Urban Education Doctoral degree program can specialize in Special Education. Please click on the program title for information.

Urban Education Doctoral Program

Certificate Programs

Advanced Study in Teaching and Learning
Gain the knowledge, skills, and research tools you need as an educator to measure and make evidence-based claims as to your effectiveness in the classroom. The set of five, three-credit graduate courses included in this certificate program will prepare you with the knowledge base needed to engage in data-driven, action research that draws from the use of formative, benchmark, and summative assessments and leads to effective upgrades in instruction. Certificates may be earned in the following areas:

  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Reading
  • Social Studies
  • Interdisciplinary Study
  • English, Literacy Studies, Adolescent Literature, Children’s Literature
  • Writing
  • Second Language Acquisition

Once you’ve earned your certificate, you will be positioned to become a school and district leader with an integrated set of instruction, assessment, and research skills needed to advance student achievement levels in your respective discipline.

The Certificate program:

  • Is comprised of five, linked 3-credit graduate courses.
  • Offers current research on instruction, learning, and assessment.
  • Includes an integrated critical and systematic examination of classroom practice.
  • Provides the evidence-based upgrades needed to improve student learning.

Application materials and additional information available on the Academic Catalog Certificate of Advanced Study in Teaching and Learning webpage.

Questions about the program and/or admissions?

Rob Longwell-Grice
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-3059
robert@uwm.edu

Allison Hochmuth
Graduate Program Admissions Specialist
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-4599
hochmuth@uwm.edu

Autism Spectrum Disorders
Additional information available on the Autism Spectrum Disorders webpage.
Interdisciplinary Language and Literacy Intervention
If you are a professional in a K-12 school who works with students who struggle with language and literacy, including both English speakers and English Language Learners, this program may be of interest to you.

The program is for individuals who would benefit from updating their knowledge about current research and teaching methods in language and literacy and from learning about current approaches to intervention, such as Response to Intervention (RtI), a federal initiative contained in the 2004 reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which directs more money and attention to integrated, interdisciplinary intervention.

The 16-credit ILLI Certificate is jointly offered by the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Exceptional Education, and Educational Psychology, which allows program specialists able to communicate in a variety of intervention fields. It is designed to create interventionists with an understanding of research and practice in a variety of fields like reading/literacy, special education, educational psychology, and communication disorders. In 16 short credits, school professionals can gain an intellectual footing in intervention disciplines in which they have little to no background in.

Course Requirements

  1. All students will take a core course designed to provide a foundation in language and literacy research and theory.
  2. Then, students select an additional 12 credits from the electives offered, as determined by their needs and interests. These 12 credits provide expertise in a variety of disciplines related to language and literacy.
  3. Finally, students will take a one-credit capstone course, which encourages a synthesis of the various disciplines building toward a problem-solving process for intervention. Assignments would include a project linking theory, research and practice across disciplines.

Interdisciplinary Language and Literacy Intervention Certificate Course Listing (PDF)

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to admission. Applicants must have at least one of the following certifications or degrees:

  • Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
  • Initial Teaching license.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Linguistics or a language/literacy related field.
  • Bachelor’s degrees in other fields and professional experience in education, literacy and language.

Applicants also must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average, and must declare their intent to pursue the certificate before completion of six credits in the certificate sequence.

Applicants with a graduate degree must have a minimum 3.0 graduate grade point average.

An application must be filed with the certificate program coordinator and a copy of the form must be sent to the Graduate School, confirming a student’s admission to the certificate program.

Applicants not already admitted to the Graduate School must file a non-degree application with Graduate Student Services. Successful admission to the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the other graduate programs.

Application materials and additional information available on the Academic Catalog Certificate of Interdisciplinary Language and Literacy Intervention (ILLI) webpage.

Questions about the program and/or admissions?

Rob Longwell-Grice
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-3059
robert@uwm.edu

Allison Hochmuth
Graduate Program Admissions Specialist
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-4599
hochmuth@uwm.edu

Mathematics Teacher Leadership
Develop knowledge and capacity as a mathematics teacher leader to support excellence in mathematics instruction, learning, and programs. You will study mathematical learning trajectories, high-leverage mathematics teaching practices, and current research in mathematics education. The program will prepare you to utilize content-focused leadership and coaching within schools, districts, and other educational settings. The Certificate program:

  • Requires 15-credits of graduate coursework.
  • Includes courses in instructional improvement and mathematics education.
  • Culminates with a capstone course in mathematics instructional leadership.
  • Engages you in professional mathematics organizations at the local, state, and national levels.
  • Networks you within a collaborative, professional community of mathematics educators.

Application materials and additional information available on the Academic Catalog Certificate in Mathematics Teacher Leadership webpage.

Questions about the program and/or admissions?

Rob Longwell-Grice
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-3059
robert@uwm.edu

Allison Hochmuth
Graduate Program Admissions Specialist
Office of Student Services
(414) 229-4599
hochmuth@uwm.edu

Transition for Students with Disabilities
Application materials and additional information available on the Academic Catalog Certificate of Transition for Students with Disabilities webpage.

Contact Us

For more information or questions about the program

(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu