UWM student, Sara, smiling with a classroom of students in the background.

Inspire Future Generations

Innovative coursework. Powerful real-world learning. Discover a meaningful career in education.

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Empower Every Learner  

At UW-Milwaukee, we give you the tools to make a meaningful impact not just in the classroom, but in society as well. 

Maybe you want to guide young learners as an early childhood educator. Or teach budding scientists in a high school chemistry class. Or make learning more accessible to students with disabilities. Whichever path you pursue, you’ll unlock the skills and experience to become a world-class educator. 

I think what UWM does is prepare us for post-graduation. And with that we have fieldwork, placements and coursework. The curriculum itself is preparing us for greatness.

World language education major Yazmin poses for a portrait.
YazminWorld Language Education and Spanish double-major

Explore UWM’s Teaching Programs

Our teaching programs emphasize real-world learning through field experiences, student teaching and partnerships with local schools. Whether you are an undergraduate student, graduate student or looking to change careers after getting your bachelor’s degree, you’ll find a path to become a certified teacher and leader in your field. 

Undergraduate Programs

Education, BS: Inclusive Early Childhood Education

Our Inclusive Early Childhood Education bachelor’s program — a combination of early childhood and early childhood special education — will prepare you to teach in settings for young children from birth through third grade. You’ll discover real-world teaching experiences, a supportive program structure and a pathway to earn up to four teacher certifications in one undergraduate program.

As an inclusive early childhood educator, you’ll learn to value the richness of your students’ culture, language, ability, gender, socioeconomics, learning preferences and life circumstances. You’ll also learn to build environments that celebrate the diversity of young children and families and make learning accessible for all. 

This program leads to the following certifications:

  • Early Childhood Education Licensure 
  • Early Childhood Special Education Licensure 

With the option to pursue these add-on certifications

  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification 
  • Bilingual Certification 
Education, BS: Elementary and Middle Education, K-9

Want to make a difference as an elementary and middle school teacher? Our Elementary and Middle Education program equips you with the knowledge and skills to obtain your K-9 teaching license, empowering you to make a real impact in the classroom.   

You’ll gain real-world experiences in schools, guided by mentor teachers and university supervisors. And if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in UWM’s Teacher Certification Pathways in Elementary and Middle Education. This streamlined program will prepare you to earn your K-9 teaching license — and be ready to teach in your own classroom in as little as two years. 

Education, BS: English and Language Arts Education, 4-12

If you’re interested in teaching English with a focus on urban education, then UWM’s English and Language Arts, 4-12 Education program is for you. We’ll prepare you to work in a variety of classroom settings with diverse groups of students. 

Our English and language arts graduates go on to teach students to be critical thinkers, persuasive writers, confident speakers and meticulous researchers. Becoming a certified English teacher can also open pathways to other leadership and career opportunities, such as administration, curriculum design, research, analysis, editorial work and writing. 

Education, BS: English as a Second Language Education

English as a Second Language teachers help students whose primary language isn’t English build their skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English. As an ESL teacher, you’ll join a network of dedicated teachers improving access to education for those students. 

Our program equips you with the strategies and tools to support students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12. And you’ll make a real difference: English language learners are among the fastest-growing groups in U.S. schools, according to the National Education Association. 

Education, BS: Mathematics Education, 4-12

Math education students gain the skills and experience to teach grades 4–12. You’ll be ready to teach in Wisconsin and beyond, with a focus on Common Core math and developing engaging, mentally challenging tasks for all learners. 

Our program combines mathematical training and current teaching strategies with extensive classroom experience. You’ll learn from nationally recognized experts in mathematics and science education who help shape the curriculum. With their guidance, you’ll gain practical, evidence-based skills that prepare you to make a lasting impact. 

Education, BS: Science Education, 4-12

Want to prepare for a rewarding career teaching science in grades 4 through 12? Our science education program equips you to teach with a focus on current standards for science education and research-based coursework taught by expert science educators. 

You’ll dive into fieldwork in local middle and high schools, observing and learning from experienced teachers. Then, you’ll move into student teaching — a full-time, supervised placement where you take the lead in the classroom. Along the way, you’ll gain the skills to work in a variety of classroom settings with diverse groups of students. 

Education, BS: Social Studies Education, 4-12

This program is for students who want to teach social studies to students in grades 4 through 12. At UWM, you’ll learn from experienced social studies educators. And you’ll explore fieldwork in local schools, observing and learning from experienced teachers. Then, you’ll jump into student teaching, a full-time, supervised placement where you take the lead in the classroom.  

Our program is perfect for a diverse array of students — from traditional undergrads and transfer students to career changers and master’s degree candidates seeking a teaching license. 

Education, BS: World Language Education

World language teachers are trained professionals who are fluent in another language and culture. Our program is for individuals who want to teach a world language to students from kindergarten through 12th grade in one of the following languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin or Spanish. 

Learning a world language can help students do more than just develop fluency in another language: It can improve their thinking skills, build positive attitudes toward different cultures and help them become more globally minded individuals. 

Exceptional Education, BS: Special Education, K4-12

Want to make a difference in the lives of elementary and middle school students with disabilities? A special education degree can help you do that: Upon completion of our program, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Wisconsin teaching license in special education from grades K4 through 12. 

At UWM, you’ll learn evidence-based teaching strategies that can help students with disabilities. Our program has a strong focus on urban schools, including culturally responsive teaching of students from diverse backgrounds. We also offer flexible class schedules, including evening classes, to meet the needs of working professionals. 

Accelerated Program

Special Education, BS / Exceptional Education, MS

Our accelerated program helps you earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education faster — and for less money. With the Special Education, BS / Exceptional Education, MS program, you can finish 19 of the 30 required graduate credits while still completing your undergraduate degree. 

This program is a great choice for students already in the Exceptional Education bachelor’s program who want to grow as teachers and learn more about educational research while earning a master’s degree. Our master’s program prepares you to make a difference in your classroom and community by supporting students with disabilities. You’ll learn new, research-based teaching strategies, with a focus on working in multicultural and urban settings 

Master’s Programs

Exceptional Education, MS

Our master’s program in special education prepares you to make a difference in your classroom and community by supporting students with disabilities. You’ll learn new, research-based teaching strategies, with a focus on working in multicultural and urban settings. 

If you’re interested in earning teacher certification as part of your master’s degree and already hold a bachelor’s degree, our advisors will help guide you toward the most efficient pathway to certification. 

Curriculum and Instruction, MS

Our curriculum and instruction master’s program gives you a strong foundation to design and lead course content. At UWM, you’ll learn the latest ideas and methods in curriculum design and teaching. You’ll also work with expert faculty to build your skills in teaching, school collaboration and research. 

You’ll have opportunities to connect with educators from the Milwaukee area and learn from their real-world experiences. To fit busy schedules, we offer flexible class options in the evenings, during the summer and online. 

Program Highlights

Immersive Education

Dive into fieldwork in local schools, where you’ll observe and learn from skilled teachers in a variety of grades.   

Expert Faculty

Learn from highly qualified educators with strong teaching experience who will prepare you to meet today’s classroom challenges. 

Flexible Learning Options

Options include evening courses, full- and part-time schedules and some online coursework. 

Exceptional Peer Support

You’ll enjoy the support of like-minded peers on your educational journey. 

Tannar Thompson working with a student during his student teaching experience.
Tannar, who earned his bachelor’s in education with a focus on Elementary and Middle Education, K-9, works with a student while student teaching at Indian Hill School in River Hills. “I know how to work with these students and build relationships, which is the most important part,” he said. “The School of Education has done an amazing job of preparing students to teach in the real world.”

Build Your Teaching Career

With a teaching degree from UWM, you’ll be ready to jump into a wide range of roles and classroom settings, including: 

  • Inclusive early childhood educator
  • Elementary and middle school teacher
  • English as a second language teacher
  • World language teacher
  • Middle and high school teacher, focusing on:
    • English and language arts
    • Mathematics
    • Science education
    • Social studies education
UWM student working on an art project with middle schoolers.
Our graduates can be found in public, private and charter schools across Wisconsin and beyond.

Make Waves in Your World

UW-Milwaukee students come from all walks of life. What unites them is a willingness to ask big questions and a determination to find the answers. Many work side-by-side with expert faculty on research tackling the world’s toughest challenges. Others collaborate on art that helps us better understand ourselves or partner with community organizations on projects that improve lives.

Here, we turn ideas into ripples of change that create waves of positive impact. Join the next wave.

Explore New Directions

Scholarships available! Learn more about how UWM can help you achieve your academic, professional and personal goals.