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.

Choose one:3
ENGLISH 201
Strategies for Academic Writing (GER-OWCB)
CURRINS 234
Teachers as Writers (GER-OWCB)
MATH 175Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I (GER-QLA)3
MATH 176Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers II (GER-QLB)3
Choose one: 13
ANTHRO 213
American Indian Peoples of Wisconsin (GER-CD, SS)
ENGLISH 276
Introduction to American Indian Literature: (GER-CD, HU)
AIS 203
Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past (GER-CD, SS)
HIST 263
North American Indian History Since 1887 (GER-CD, SS)
COMMUN 103Public Speaking (GER-HU)3
Literature Elective (GER-HU)3
CES 210Introduction 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
HIST 151
American History: 1607 to 1877 (GER-SS)
HIST 152
American History: 1877 to the Present (GER-SS)
POL SCI 104
Introduction to American Government and Politics (GER-SS)
POL SCI 105
State Politics (GER-SS)
Social Science Elective (GER-SS)3
Prior to Semester 4
CURRINS 140Field Experience with Families & Communities1
CURRINS 312Models and Issues for Early Childhood Education3
Semester 4
CURRINS 240Field Experience with Dual Language Learners2
CURRINS 501Language Acquisition for Children of Diverse Backgrounds3
Semester 5
CURRINS 302Curriculum Design in Early Childhood3
CURRINS 340Field Experience in Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms2
CURRINS 502Emergent Literacy and Biliteracy in the Early Childhood Classroom3
CURRINS 534Instructional Strategies in Early Childhood Education3
Semester 6
CURRINS 440Field Experience in the Primary Grades2
CURRINS 504Methods for Biliteracy and Language Arts in Primary Grades3
Semester 7
CURRINS 338Teaching of Science in Early Childhood3
CURRINS 540Advanced Field Experience in Early Childhood Education3-6
CURRINS 541Principles and Methods of Teaching ESL3
Total Credits67-72

 Professional Requirements

A grade of C or better must be earned in all professional education courses and sequenced CURRINS courses.

CURRINS 301Infants and Toddlers: Curriculum and Teaching3
CURRINS 323Teaching of Social Studies:3
CURRINS 511Curriculum and Guidance for Social -Emotional Learning3
CURRINS 512Reflective Practice in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning3
CURRINS 520Developing Mathematical Thinking in Young Children3
CURRINS/EXCEDUC 612Collaborations for Teachers with Families, Schools, and Communities3
CURRINS 651Literature for the Young Child3
ART ED 130Multicultural Art and Visual Learning in Elementary Education (GER- A, CD)3
MUS ED 260Making Music Connections with Children3
ED POL 375Cultural Foundations of Education3
ED PSY 330Introduction to Learning and Development3
ED PSY/EXCEDUC 613Infant and Early Childhood Assessment3
EXCEDUC 630Survey of EC Intervention: Young Children with Special Needs, Families3
Total Credits39

Semester 8: Program Completion and Certification Options

Option 1: Education Degree, Early Childhood Education
CURRINS 540Advanced Field Experience in Early Childhood Education6
Select electives as needed to reach 120 credits (see an advisor for appropriate options)
Total Credits6
Option 2: Education Degree, Early Childhood Education plus Early Childhood Certification
CURRINS 601Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching3
CURRINS 640Student Teaching in Early Childhood12
Total Credits15
Option 3: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood and English as a Second Language Certifications
CURRINS 601Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching3
CURRINS 640Student Teaching in Early Childhood9
CURRINS 443Student Teaching in English as a Second Language: Minor3
Total Credits15
Option 4: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood and Bilingual Certifications
CURRINS 601Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching3
CURRINS 640Student Teaching in Early Childhood9
CURRINS 442Student Teaching in Bilingual Education3
Total Credits15
Option 5: Education Degree in Early Childhood plus Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Certifications
CURRINS 601Early Childhood Seminar in Student Teaching3
CURRINS 640Student Teaching in Early Childhood6
CURRINS 442Student Teaching in Bilingual Education3
CURRINS 443Student Teaching in English as a Second Language: Minor3
Total Credits15

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:

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:

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 detail

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.

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 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.