Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the semester in which you wish to begin. Please view the requirements and complete the application form linked below to apply.

  1. Meet with your academic advisor

    Review your academic plan with your advisor and discuss your eligibility to apply for admission to the professional program.

    (Last names A – L) – Tyree Bolden, boldentc@uwm.edu
    (Last names M – Z) – Nikki Claas, nclaas@uwm.edu

  2. Submit a Criminal Background Check (CBC)

    The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that all applicants to an educator preparation program to submit a Criminal Background Check (CBC) prior to admission. CBCs previously completed for employment or other purposes cannot be used to satisfy this requirement. The CBC must be completed via the below process within six months of an admissions decision; the cost is $60.00. You cannot be admitted or enroll in professional education courses until your CBC has cleared.

    Failure to fully disclose criminal background information and/or submission of false information may constitute grounds for denial of admission or removal from the program. Your criminal history may disqualify you from field placements.

    If you seek to complete your field work with your current employer, we may be required to disclose CBC results to that employer. Our process for flagged admission CBCs can be found here: Process for Notification of Flagged CBC During the Admission Process for DPI-Approved Programs

    UWM uses CastleBranch to process our admission CBCs. 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

    • Directions for completing the background check can be found here
    • Be sure to select the program for which you are applying. Please contact us if you are not sure which program to select.
    • If you have questions about this process, contact the CastleBranch Service Desk at (888) 914-7279 or email servicedesk.cu@castlebranch.com
  3. Prepare an essay

    All applicants to the World Language Education program must prepare and submit an essay.

    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 World Languages, English as a Second Language and/or Bilingual 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.
  4. Complete the following application form