The Community Engagement and Education Program is designed for students interested in changing their community, working in non-school educational roles, leadership in community-based organizations or teaching in private or alternative schools. Some students also pursue licensure for teaching in public schools after graduation.
Courses are offered during the day as well as online, in the evening and on weekends. We also give academic credit for prior professional experience. Areas of study include child care, youth work, urban education, alternative education, policy and leadership in community-based organizations, and community engagement and social action.
Our graduates work as youth leaders and educators, administrators in community-based organizations, teachers and directors of child care and head start centers, community organizers, and state and local elected officials.
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Strategies for Academic Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Business Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Technical Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Health Science Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Writing in the Professions: (subtitle, OWC-B) | ||
| Lower Division Required Courses | ||
| ED POL 111 | Introduction to Community Change and Engagement | 3 |
| ED POL 112 | Introduction to Community Education | 3 |
| ED POL 113 | The Milwaukee Community (GER-SS) | 3 |
| or ED POL 203 | Communities and Neighborhoods in America | |
| ED POL 114 | Community Problems | 3 |
| Lower-Division Electives 1 | ||
| Upper Division Required Courses | ||
| ED POL 375 | Cultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED POL 534 | Students Placed At Risk (Causes) | 3 |
| ED POL 506 | Research Techniques for Community Organizers and Community Educators | 3 |
| ED POL 601 | Foundations of Community-Based Organizations | 3 |
| Race Relations/Antiracist Education | ||
| ED POL 625 | Race Relations in Education (GER-CD) | 3 |
| or ED POL 626 | Antiracist Education | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Students may earn elective units through upper- or lower-division Educational Policy and Community Studies courses, including Prior Professional Educational Experience (see below), transfer units, or other UWM courses.
Transfer of Child-Care Registry Credits
Child-care Registry credits are completed at other institutions and transferred in—UWM does not offer these courses. Students must complete one of the “Foundations” or “Administrative” credentials developed and overseen by the Wisconsin Child Care Registry at an institution that offers these. Eighteen total credits of WI Registry credits are required to fulfill the Child Care submajor. Students who complete a 12-credit credential through the Registry must transfer in additional Registry credits. For the list of all credentials offered under the auspices of the Wisconsin Registry, as well as the institutions that offer each of them, see Opportunities.
Additional Requirements for Graduation
- Minimum 2.0 UWM cumulative GPA
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits
Opportunities
Prior Professional Education Experience (PPEE)
A student who has been accepted as a major in Community Engagement and Education is eligible to earn credit for their professional/life experience by demonstrating their competency through essay examinations (PPEE). Credits earned, by passing individual exams with a grade of C or better, will be counted toward the Community Engagement and Education degree in 3-credit blocks. Students pay for one 3-credit course, and all additional credits they receive through the course are awarded without cost. In order to "pass" the course and receive at least 3 credits, a student must attempt 7 of the 14 competency area essay exams listed below.
Competency Areas
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Community Perspectives on Human Resource Programs | 3 | |
| Resource Development | 3 | |
| Local Community Systems | 3 | |
| Political/Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| Personal Growth Competency | 3 | |
| Philosophies of Change | 3 | |
| Group Process Skills | 3 | |
| Leadership Issues | 3 | |
| Research Skills | 3 | |
| Change Strategies | 3 | |
| Educational Advocacy | 3 | |
| Administrative Skills | 3 | |
| Social Problem Analysis | 3 | |
| Conflict Resolution | 3 | |
Community Engagement and Education majors wishing to demonstrate their competencies for these credits are required to enroll in the competency examination course, ED POL 100 Community Education I, during their first or second semester of study. PPEE students have the opportunity to earn a maximum of 42 credits, which will only apply toward a Community Engagement and Education degree and only as lower-division electives. Students who leave the CEED program will not be able to use these credits in other programs.
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.
Transfer of Child-Care Registry Credits
Child-care Registry credits are completed at other institutions and transferred in - UWM does not offer these courses. Students must complete one of the “Foundations” or “Administrative” credentials developed and overseen by the Wisconsin Child Care Registry at an institution that offers these. Eighteen total credits of WI Registry credits are required to fulfill the Child Care submajor. Students who complete a 12-credit credential through the Registry must transfer in additional Registry credits. Visit the Wisconsin Registry for the list of all credentials offered as well as the institutions that offer each of them.
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.