Program Overview

Education: Early Childhood

The Early Childhood Education degree program prepares students to work with children from birth to age 8 in various early care and education settings, including public and private schools, local Head Start agencies, child care centers, and preschools.

Program Type

The program is a Major.

Program Format

The program is offered 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.

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.

Research

Faculty-guided undergraduate and graduate research opportunities are available.

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

View the specific requirements for the program.

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.

Graduate Program

The Early Childhood Education program is a focus area in the Curriculum and Instruction MS 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.

School of Education: Advancement to Professional Sequence Process

All applicants to the Early Childhood Education degree program must meet the following requirements to advance to the professional program sequence:

Undergraduate Students

• 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

Post-Baccalaureate Students

• 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

Faculty

• Leanne M. Evans, PhD, Director, Institute for Urban Education, and Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
• Anita Osvatic, Teaching Faculty III, Teaching and Learning, and Program Director, Early Childhood Education
• Crystasany R. Turner, PhD, Assistant Professor, Teaching and Learning

Important Dates

• Post-Baccalaureate Application Deadline: April 30 (Summer), July 15 (Fall), December 15 (Spring)