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UWM

Academic Catalog 2020-2021
  • Home»
  • Education (School of)»
  • Teaching and Learning»
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood

Teaching and Learning

  • Advanced Study in Teaching and Learning, Graduate Certificate
  • Arts Integration and Learning, Undergraduate Certificate (School of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning)
  • Assistive Technology and Accessible Design, Graduate Certificate (School of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, Graduate Certificate
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, Undergraduate Certificate
  • Bilingual Education (Supplemental), Minor
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Cultures and Communities Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Early Childhood Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Creative Writing
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Literature and Cultural Theory
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Rhetoric and Professional Writing
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Mathematics Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Mathematics Teacher Leadership
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Reading Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Science Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Urban Social Studies
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Math
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Science
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Social Studies
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence-​Adolescence Level: English
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood-​Adolescence: English as a Second Language
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood-​Adolescence: World Language
  • Education, BS: Elementary Education
  • Education, BS: Inclusion and Accessibility Studies
  • English as a Second Language, Minor
  • Exceptional Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence
  • Exceptional Education, BS: Early Childhood
  • Exceptional Education, BS: K4-​12 Special Education
  • Exceptional Education, MS
  • Global Educator, Graduate Certificate
  • Global Educator, Undergraduate Certificate
  • Inclusion and Accessibility Studies, Minor
  • Interdisciplinary Language and Literacy Intervention (ILLI), Graduate Certificate
  • Mathematics Teacher Leadership, Graduate Certificate
  • Transition for Students with Disabilities, Graduate Certificate
  • World Language, Minor
SOE_Interdisciplinary_1500x500
School of Education

Education, BS: Early Childhood

  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Benchmarks
  • Advising
  • Honors

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

Course List
Code Title Credits
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)
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 Credits64-69
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

Course List
Code Title Credits
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 330Teaching of Mathematics 13
CURRINS 511Curriculum and Guidance for Social -Emotional Learning3
CURRINS 512Reflective Practice in Early Childhood Teaching and Learning3
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

Course List
Code Title Credits
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
Course List
Code Title Credits
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
Course List
Code Title Credits
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
Course List
Code Title Credits
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
Course List
Code Title Credits
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
  • For certification majors only: Completion of edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment)

Benchmarks

Students must meet benchmarks at 30, 60, and 85 credits 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 and Math 175 with a C or better
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 on all UWM and transfer courses

Certification majors only:

  • Passing scores on a pre-professional skills test (See your academic advisor for additional information.)

60 Credit Benchmarks

Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of 60 credits:

  • Mandatory meeting with your advisor
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all UWM and transfer courses

Certification majors only:

  • Registered for the appropriate Praxis II exam
    • Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam #5014
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages #5361

85 Credit Benchmarks

Reviewed with your advisor the semester after completion of 85 credits:

  • Mandatory meeting with your advisor 
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all UWM and transfer courses
  • Complete and sign form to declare intention: Education Degree in Early Childhood only or degree with certification in Early Childhood, ESL, and/or Bilingual

Student Teaching Benchmarks (certification majors only)

  • Mandatory attendance at Pre-Student Teaching Orientation
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all UWM and transfer courses
  • Removal of all F or I (Incomplete) grades in courses
  • C or better in professional education and CurrIns sequenced courses
  • Successfully pass the appropriate Praxis II exam(s)
    • Elementary Education Content Knowledge Exam #5014
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages #5361
  • Successfully pass the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (WiFORT)

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
  • Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits
  • Completion of the last year of coursework (30 credits) in residence at UWM

Certification majors only:

  • Completion of edTPA (Teacher Performance Assessment)

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, Rob Longwell-Grice, at (414) 229-3059 or robert@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.

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 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. 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.

Apply Now Request Info Program Website

Teaching and Learning

  • Advanced Study in Teaching and Learning, Graduate Certificate
  • Arts Integration and Learning, Undergraduate Certificate (School of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning)
  • Assistive Technology and Accessible Design, Graduate Certificate (School of Education, Department of Teaching and Learning)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, Graduate Certificate
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders, Undergraduate Certificate
  • Bilingual Education (Supplemental), Minor
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Cultures and Communities Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Early Childhood Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Creative Writing
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Literature and Cultural Theory
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: English Education: Rhetoric and Professional Writing
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Mathematics Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Mathematics Teacher Leadership
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Reading Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Science Education
  • Curriculum and Instruction, MS: Urban Social Studies
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Math
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Science
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence Level: Social Studies
  • Education, BS: Early Adolescence-​Adolescence Level: English
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood-​Adolescence: English as a Second Language
  • Education, BS: Early Childhood-​Adolescence: World Language
  • Education, BS: Elementary Education
  • Education, BS: Inclusion and Accessibility Studies
  • English as a Second Language, Minor
  • Exceptional Education, BS: Early Adolescence -​ Adolescence
  • Exceptional Education, BS: Early Childhood
  • Exceptional Education, BS: K4-​12 Special Education
  • Exceptional Education, MS
  • Global Educator, Graduate Certificate
  • Global Educator, Undergraduate Certificate
  • Inclusion and Accessibility Studies, Minor
  • Interdisciplinary Language and Literacy Intervention (ILLI), Graduate Certificate
  • Mathematics Teacher Leadership, Graduate Certificate
  • Transition for Students with Disabilities, Graduate Certificate
  • World Language, Minor
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The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Our Catalog is a general source of information about course offerings, academic programs and requirements, expenses, rules, and policies. The University reserves the right to change the information published in this Catalog without notice. Students are advised to consult with their individual School/College or department for the most up-to-date information about program requirements.

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