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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University General Education Requirements * | 12-42 | |
| Program Core | 36 | |
| Track Requirements | 18 | |
| Electives to satisfy minimum degree credits to graduate 3 | 24-54 | |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 | |
| * | Requirement credit totals vary based on student test scores, previous area-specific knowledge, and GER course choice. |
University General Education Requirements (GERs)
The Department requires its students to meet the University’s General Education Requirements. Community Engagement and Education majors have until the beginning of their junior year (58 credits) to meet this requirement. See your advisor to find out which set of Competency Requirements you must fulfill.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GER Competency Requirements 1 | ||
| Oral and Written Communication, Part A | 0-3 | |
English Placement Test score at level 4 or higher, or pass English 102 (OWC-A approved) with a grade of C or better | ||
| Oral and Written Communication, Part B 2 | 0-3 | |
Complete an OWC-B approved advanced course with a grade of C or better | ||
| Quantitative Literacy, Part A | 0-3 | |
Math Placement Test code 30 or higher, or pass Math 102, 103, 105, or 175 with a grade of C or better (QL-A approved) | ||
| Quantitative Literacy, Part B | 3 | |
Complete a QL-B approved advanced course with a grade of C or better | ||
| Foreign Language | 0-6 | |
| Complete one of the following: | ||
2 consecutive semesters of college instruction in a single foreign language with passing grades | ||
2 consecutive years of high school instruction in a single foreign language with passing grades | ||
Demonstrate language proficiency on approved exam | ||
| GER Distribution Requirements | ||
| Arts | 3 | |
Select one approved GER-A designated course | ||
| Humanities 2 | 0-6 | |
Select two approved GER-HU designated courses | ||
| Social Sciences 2 | 0-6 | |
Select two approved GER-SS designated courses | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
Select one approved GER-NS or GER-NS+ designated course | ||
Select one approved GER-NS+ designated course, which includes a lab component | ||
| Cultural Diversity 2 | 0-3 | |
Select one approved GER-CD designated course | ||
| Total Credits | 12-42 | |
| 1 | Credit earned for GER Competency may also count toward electives. |
| 2 | Program-specific required courses fulfill, or partially fulfill, University GER Competency and/or Distribution requirements. See Program Core for specific courses. |
Program Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Strategies for Academic Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Writing in the Humanities | ||
| Business Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Technical Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Health Science Writing (OWC-B) | ||
| Writing in the Professions: (subtitle, OWC-B) | ||
| Writing with Style | ||
| 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 |
| ED POL 114 | Community Problems | 3 |
| Lower-Division Electives 3 | ||
| Select 39 credits of upper- or lower-division courses from any school/college | 39 | |
| Upper Division Required Courses | ||
| ED POL 506 | Research Techniques for Community Organizers and Community Educators | 3 |
| ED POL 601 | Foundations of Community-Based Organizations | 3 |
| ED POL 630 | Race and Public Policy in Urban America | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Race Relations in Education (GER-CD) | ||
| Educational Policy Foundations | ||
| ED POL 375 | Cultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
| or ED POL 530 | Urban Education: Foundations | |
| ED POL 534 | The Student at Risk (Causes) | 3 |
| or ED POL 535 | Educating At-Risk Students | |
| Child Care Foundations | ||
| ED POL 381 | Introduction to Child Care: | 3 |
| ED POL 383 | Child Care Programming: | 3 |
| Total Credits | 75 | |
| 3 | Students may earn elective units through Educational Policy and Community Studies courses, including Prior Professional Educational Experience (see below), transfer units, or other UWM courses. |
Track Requirement
Students must chose one of two tracks to follow in order to complete the program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Educator Track 5 | ||
| ED POL 302 | Approaches to Relationships in the Child Care Setting | 3 |
| ED POL 340 Organizing and Operating a Child Care Center | 3 | |
| ED POL 416 | Analysis of Child Care Environments | 3 |
| CURRINS 585 | Best Practices in Early Childhood for Children and Families | 3 |
| Upper Division Electives 4 | ||
| Select 6 credits at the 300-level or higher from any school/college or transfer credit equivalent | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator Track 5 | ||
| ED POL/AD LDSP 582 | Operations Management in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| ED POL 584 | Early Childhood Programs and the External Environment | 3 |
| AD LDSP 581 | Administration and Supervision in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| AD LDSP 583 | Financial Management and Planning in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| AD LDSP 586 | Administrative Seminar: Leadership in Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| CURRINS 585 | Best Practices in Early Childhood for Children and Families | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 4 | Including upper-division transfer units. These courses should be chosen by the student in consultation with an advisor. |
| 5 | Students completing a Child Care track may be eligible for an additional Certificate and/or Credential. See Opportunities for details. |
Additional Requirements for Graduation
- 2.5 cumulative GPA in all program requirements.
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
Walk-In Hours
Walk-in advising is for current School of Education students and is limited to 10-15 minutes. Offered weekly on Thursday from 1-4 PM, these opportunities allow for you to meet briefly with your assigned academic advisor, or an advisor familiar with your program of study.
Transfer Student Not Yet Enrolled at UWM?
If you are attending a different college or university and would like to transfer to UWM to study in the School of Education and have questions, please connect with our Transfer Advisor, Emilee Schultz, at (414) 229-6019 or emilee@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. If you are unsure who your advisor is, please contact Graduate Program Admissions Specialist Allison Hochmuth.
Additional Certificate and/or Credential
Students completing ED POL 302, ED POL 381, ED POL 383 and ED POL 416 also earn a Certificate in Child Care Program Development from the UWM Center for Early Childhood Professional Development & Leadership (CECPDL), and are eligible to commission for the Program Development Credential from The Registry.
Students completing the 6 Administrator Track courses within 3 years receive a Certificate in Child Care Administration from the UWM CECPDL, and, upon completing the capstone project, are eligible to commission for the Wisconsin Professional Credential for Child Care Administrators from The Registry. The Registry requires that students earn a grade of at least C- in all of the Child Care Administrator courses for the Credential.
Honors in the School of Education
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 Degree and Honors Degree with Thesis
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. In schools and colleges in which fewer than 15% of the traditional students have a 3.500 GPA, all-university honors will be awarded to approximately the top 15% of graduating students. A criterion GPA (not lower than 3.200) for this 15% will be calculated based on statistics from the previous comparable semester. 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.