The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is available for those interested in teaching young children from birth to age 8 (through third grade) in a variety of early care/education and school programs. Students are admitted to the major immediately in the first year or upon transfer to UWM, and it is possible to complete the program in four years. Students who satisfactorily complete the program requirements will be highly-qualified to teach in early childhood settings. Those who wish to acquire a State of Wisconsin ECE teaching license can complete the state-mandated assessments through the program. Additionally program students can elect to attain add-on certification in ECE and English as a Second Language (ESL) or Bilingual Education. All program students will be prepared to teach culturally and linguistically diverse children. The program provides real-world experiences in a cross-section of sites where future employment opportunities exist, including public and charter primary schools; Head Start; and preschools and other community-based educational settings.
Requirements
General Education Requirements (GERs)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s degree. Some of the requirements of your program may fulfill the campus GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
Program Core
A grade of C or better must be earned in all professional education courses and sequenced CURRINS courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| Strategies for Academic Writing (GER-OWCB) | ||
| Teachers as Writers (GER-OWCB) | ||
| MATH 175 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I (GER-QLA) | 3 |
| MATH 176 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers II (GER-QLB) | 3 |
| Choose one: 1 | 3 | |
| American Indian Peoples of Wisconsin (GER-CD, SS) | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: (GER-CD, HU) | ||
| Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past (GER-CD, SS) | ||
| North American Indian History Since 1887 (GER-CD, SS) | ||
| COMMUN 103 | Public Speaking (GER-HU) | 3 |
| Literature Elective (GER-HU) | 3 | |
| CES 210 | Introduction to Conservation and Environmental Science (GER-NS) | 3 |
| Earth Science elective (GER-NS or GER-NS+: Aston, Atm Sci, Geog, or Geo Sci) | 3-4 | |
| Physical Science elective (GER-NS or GER-NS+: Chem or Physics) | 3-4 | |
| Choose one: | 3 | |
| American History: 1607 to 1877 (GER-SS) | ||
| American History: 1877 to the Present (GER-SS) | ||
| Introduction to American Government and Politics (GER-SS) | ||
| State Politics (GER-SS) | ||
| Social Science Elective (GER-SS) | 3 | |
| Prior to Semester 4 | ||
| CURRINS 140 | Field Experience with Families & Communities | 1 |
| CURRINS 312 | Models and Issues for Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CURRINS 240 | Field Experience with Dual Language Learners | 2 |
| CURRINS 501 | Language Acquisition for Children of Diverse Backgrounds | 3 |
| Semester 5 | ||
| CURRINS 302 | Curriculum Design in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CURRINS 340 | Field Experience in Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms | 2 |
| CURRINS 502 | Emergent Literacy and Biliteracy in the Early Childhood Classroom | 3 |
| CURRINS 534 | Instructional Strategies in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Semester 6 | ||
| CURRINS 440 | Field Experience in the Primary Grades | 2 |
| CURRINS 504 | Methods for Biliteracy and Language Arts in Primary Grades | 3 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| CURRINS 338 | Teaching of Science in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CURRINS 540 | Advanced Field Experience in Early Childhood Education | 3-6 |
| CURRINS 541 | Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL | 3 |
| Total Credits | 67-72 | |
- 1
Non-Western History or Contemporary Culture and Minority Group Relations (Act 31) statutory requirements can both be met by taking one class.
Professional Requirements
A grade of C or better must be earned in all professional education courses and sequenced CURRINS courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CURRINS 301 | Infants and Toddlers: Curriculum and Teaching | 3 |
| CURRINS 323 | Teaching of Social Studies: | 3 |
| CURRINS 511 | Curriculum and Guidance for Social-Emotional Learning | 3 |
| CURRINS 512 | Reflective Practice in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| CURRINS 520 | Developing Mathematical Thinking in Young Children | 3 |
| CURRINS/EXCEDUC 612 | Collaborations for Teachers with Families, Schools, and Communities | 3 |
| CURRINS 651 | Literature for the Young Child | 3 |
| ART ED 130 | Multicultural Art and Visual Learning in Elementary Education (GER- A, CD) | 3 |
| MUS ED 260 | Making Music Connections with Children | 3 |
| ED POL 375 | Cultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED PSY 330 | Introduction to Learning and Development | 3 |
| ED PSY/EXCEDUC 613 | Infant and Early Childhood Assessment | 3 |
| EXCEDUC 630 | Survey of EC Intervention: Young Children with Special Needs, Families | 3 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Semester 8: Program Completion and Certification Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1: Education Degree, Early Childhood Education | ||
| CURRINS 540 | Advanced Field Experience in Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| Select electives as needed to reach 120 credits (see an advisor for appropriate options) | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 2: Education Degree, Early Childhood Education plus Early Childhood Certification | ||
| CURRINS 601 | Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| CURRINS 640 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood | 12 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 3: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood and English as a Second Language Certifications | ||
| CURRINS 601 | Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| CURRINS 640 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood | 9 |
| CURRINS 443 | Pre-Student Teaching in English as a Second Language Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 4: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood and Bilingual Certifications | ||
| CURRINS 601 | Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| CURRINS 640 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood | 9 |
| CURRINS 442 | Student Teaching in Bilingual Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 5: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Certifications | ||
| CURRINS 601 | Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching | 3 |
| CURRINS 640 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood | 6 |
| CURRINS 442 | Student Teaching in Bilingual Education | 3 |
| CURRINS 443 | Pre-Student Teaching in English as a Second Language Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Program Benchmarks
Additional Requirements for Graduation:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all UWM and transfer courses
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on professional education courses
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits
- Completion of the last year of coursework (30 credits) in residence at UWM
- Successful completion of a pedagogical knowledge assessment is required for certification
Benchmarks
Students must meet benchmarks at several points during the program and prior to student teaching. Benchmarks are monitored through tracking systems and advising. A student will be restricted from moving forward in the program if the benchmarks are not completed.
30 Credit Benchmarks
Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of 30 credits:
- Mandatory meeting with your advisor
- Completion of ENGLISH 102 with a C or better or achieve appropriate score on the English Placement Test
- Completion of MATH 175 with a C or better
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 on all UWM and transfer courses
Admission to Certification Benchmarks
Note: Students who are not pursuing certification should continue meeting with their advisors but do not submit the Admission to Certification form.
Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of CURRINS 240 and CURRINS 501:
- Mandatory meeting with your advisor
- Completion of 30 Credit Benchmarks
- Completion of CURRINS 240 and CURRINS 501 with a C or better
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all UWM and transfer courses
- Submit Admission for Certification form
- If also pursuing ESL certification, take the Praxis Subject Assessment: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages #5362. Passing score is 149.
CURRINS 540 Benchmarks
Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of CURRINS 340 and CURRINS 502:
Non-certification track:
- Mandatory meeting with your advisor
- Mandatory meeting with program director to discuss final field options
Certification track:
-
Mandatory meeting with your advisor
- Request student teaching placement: https://uwm.edu/education/academics/clinical-experiences/
For ESL Certification:
- Successfully complete the PRAXIS Subject Assessment Exam #5362: Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages, with a passing score of 149 or higher.
For Bilingual Certification:
- Successfully complete the Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum score of Advanced-Low on the ACTFL OPI. See your advisor for details.
Content Knowledge Requirement Benchmarks (for certification only)
Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of CURRINS 440 and CURRINS 504
- Mandatory meeting with your advisor
- Completion of CURRINS 440 and CURRINS 504 with a C or better
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on all UWM and transfer courses
- Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam #5018 with a passing score of 157 or higher --OR-- minimum GPA of 3.0 in Early Childhood Education Content Concentration Courses. See ECE Content Concentration Courses below:
-
Course List Code Title Credits ENGLISH 102 College Writing and Research 3 MATH 175 Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I 3 MATH 176 Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers II 3 CURRINS 234 Teachers as Writers 3 or ENGLISH 201 Strategies for Academic Writing CURRINS 323 Teaching of Social Studies: 3 CURRINS 338 Teaching of Science in Early Childhood 3 CURRINS 502 Emergent Literacy and Biliteracy in the Early Childhood Classroom 3 CURRINS 504 Methods for Biliteracy and Language Arts in Primary Grades 3 CURRINS 520 Developing Mathematical Thinking in Young Children 3
Student Teaching Benchmarks (for certification only)
Prior to student teaching you must complete a midpoint eportfolio and attend a pre-student teaching orientation.
Reviewed with your advisor the semester prior to student teaching:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all UWM and transfer courses
- Removal of all F grades in ECE program courses
- Removal of all I (Incomplete) grades in courses
- C or better in professional education and CurrIns sequenced courses
- Attempt the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (WIFoRT)
- Successfully complete:
- Content Knowledge Requirement Benchmarks
- For ESL: PRAXIS Subject Assessment Exam #5362: Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages, with a passing score of 149 or higher
- For Bilingual: Language Proficiency Requirement: A minimum score of Advanced-Low on the ACTFL OPI. See your advisor for details.
Graduation Benchmarks (must be met to be approved for graduation)
Reviewed during the student teaching semester:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all UWM and transfer courses
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all professional education courses
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits
- Completion of the last year of coursework (30 credits) in residence at UWM
Certification majors only:
- Successfully pass the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (WIFoRT) with a score of 240 or higher
- Successful completion of a pedagogical knowledge assessment is required for certification.
Undergraduate Advising
Our purpose is to provide collaborative, mentoring relationships which promote educational, career, and professional development. We value a student-centered, holistic, and ethical approach to advising based on strong partnerships with students, faculty and staff, and the larger campus community. We are committed to creating a respectful and supportive environment. We encourage students to be self-reliant through informed decisions and choices based upon dissemination of accurate information. We value our own continuous professional development to enhance the quality of the advising experience.
How to Prepare for an Advising Meeting
- Review your Advisement Report in PAWS.
- Come prepared with questions or topics for discussion.
- Make a list of courses you think you should take.
- Investigate opportunities to prepare for the job you want.
- Keep a record of your academic progress.
- Understand you are ultimately responsible for creating your educational, life, and career plans.
- Maintain honest and open communication with your advisor.
- Take responsibility for choices you make as a student and member of the UW-Milwaukee community.
Scheduling an Appointment
Office of Student Services
Enderis Hall, Room 209
(414) 229-4721
soeinfo@uwm.edu
Graduate Advising
If you are a School of Education graduate student, you may schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor by contacting your faculty advisor directly. Faculty contact information can be found in the People Directory. Your faculty advisor will be listed in your PAWS account.
Honors in the Department of Teaching and Learning
Departmental Honors are granted to students who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester.
College of Community Engagement and Professions Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.