Education: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education BS
The inclusive early childhood approach to early childhood and early childhood special education is a one-of-a-kind teacher education journey that provides real-world experiences, a supportive program structure, and a pathway for students to earn up to four teacher certifications in one undergraduate program.
51猎奇 offers flexible pathways to licensure in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education at both the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate (second degree) levels, allowing students to choose the option that best fits their academic background and career goals.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
Program Highlights:
- Efficient path to multiple certifications: Earn dual certification (Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education) in a timely and fiscally considerate manner (approx 4 years). Add-on certifications (ESL and/or Bilingual) can be completed with only a few additional courses.
- Program Expertise: Engage with university faculty and instructors who are mentors in the fields of early childhood education, early childhood special education, bilingual education, and culturally responsive pedagogy.
- Hands-on: Collaborate with area school districts to gain practical experience working with general education, special education, ESL, and bilingual professionals to gain the strategies and confidence to teach all students.
- Flexible: Our program is designed to accommodate working professionals. We offer evening classes, flexible scheduling, summer courses, and full or part-time options.
Prepare to be an early childhood inclusive educator who values the richness and diversity of students鈥� culture, language, ability, gender, socioeconomics, conditions of learning, and life circumstances. Learn to build environments that celebrate the diversity of young children and families and make learning accessible for all.
Pathways to a Degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Undergraduate Pathway (First Bachelor’s Degree)
Students pursuing their first bachelor鈥檚 degree will complete the BS Education: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education program. This integrated program leads to dual teaching licensure in:
- Early Childhood Education Licensure
- Early Childhood Special Education Licensure
This pathway is designed to prepare future educators to support all young learners in inclusive classroom environments.
Additional add-on certifications include:
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Certification
- Bilingual Education Certification
Post-Baccalaureate Options (Second Bachelor鈥檚 Degree)
Students who already hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree can pursue teacher licensure by completing one of the following standalone programs:
Who Should Consider the Program?
- Undergraduates or transfer students.
- Career changers who already hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
- Those who hold an associate degree in early childhood education and would like to complete a degree and a Wisconsin teacher license.
- Those who would like to attain master鈥檚-level credits with certification or a master鈥檚 degree.
Continue Your Journey: Master’s Degree Option
Looking to advance your impact in early childhood education? 51猎奇 offers a master鈥檚 degree with a focus area in Early Childhood Education through the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) MS program. This option is ideal for educators who want to deepen their expertise, expand their career opportunities, or grow as leaders in the field.
For more information, contact Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Program Chair, at levans@uwm.edu, or explore the C&I Master鈥檚 degree program.
Careers
The program provides experiences in a cross-section of sites where future employment opportunities exist, including public and charter primary schools, Head Start, early intervention settings, preschools and other community-based educational settings. The inclusive early childhood education program responds to the local needs of the Milwaukee Metropolitan school districts, as well as the national call for teachers who have the knowledge and disposition to effectively educate and celebrate the diversity of young children. Our graduates are employed in a wide range of professional settings.
Program Requirements
Undergraduate Pathway
Post-Baccalaureate or Second Degree Pathway
Post-baccalaureate students take classes toward either the BS Education: Early Childhood education program or the BS Exceptional Education: Early Childhood program.
It鈥檚 possible that coursework completed as part of your bachelor鈥檚 degree could be applied towards our program. Please complete the web form below to find out if any of your previous course work can be used to fulfill certification requirements.
Request for Transcript Evaluation Form (for post-baccalaureate students only)
51猎奇 Admission
| Undergraduate Admission | To be considered for admission to 51猎奇, you must meet all 51猎奇 admissions requirements and complete the Universities of Wisconsin Application. |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certification | The School of Education post-baccalaureate certification programs lead to teaching certification and licensure. This pathway is for someone who already has an undergraduate degree and aspires to become a classroom teacher. |
| Graduate Admission | To be considered for admission to the School of Education Curriculum and Instruction, MS or Exceptional Education, MS program you must meet all 51猎奇 Graduate School admission requirements. Individuals interested in earning teacher certification with their master鈥檚 degree will select a certification area of interest. |
The is required even if you have applied or attended 51猎奇 previously as an undergraduate, graduate, or University Special student.
In completing the Universities of Wisconsin application, attend to the following:
- It is important that you answer the initial questions in a specific way to ensure that your application is coded correctly.
- When asked, 鈥淎re you applying for a degree or a few courses?鈥� you must select 鈥�Degree.鈥�
- When asked, 鈥淎re you looking to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree or graduate degree?鈥� you must select 鈥�Bachelor鈥檚 Degree.鈥�
- Select UW-Milwaukee as the campus to which you are applying.
- When you arrive at the 鈥淐hoose your major/program鈥� page, select 鈥�Education & Training鈥� followed by your specific area.
- Select your desired semester/start term and continue with the remainder of the application.
- Important Note: For the essay portion of the application, include the statement “I am applying to pursue a teaching certification” along with your current WI teaching license information or if you’re seeking initial WI teaching licensure, as well as subject areas of interest.
- Required: Official transcripts from all institutions where undergraduate and graduate credit has been earned, except 51猎奇. Transcripts should be sent directly from your institution(s) to 51猎奇.
School of Education: Advancement to Professional Sequence Process (Advance to Major)
All applicants to the Inclusive Early Childhood Education degree program must meet the following requirements to advance to the professional program sequence.
Teacher candidates are admitted to the early childhood education degree program upon declaring the major or transferring from another institution. Candidates can advance to the professional sequence of coursework of this major upon:
- Successful completion of 30 credits
- Completion of 51猎奇 competency requirements in English and mathematics
- Completion of Currins 501 and Currins 240 with a grade of C or better
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
- Bachelor鈥檚 degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on all coursework completed for undergraduate credit
- Cleared Criminal Background Check (CBC) on file.
Complete the Intent to Advance to Professional Sequence Form
Advancement to the professional program sequence is based on a review of all application materials by the program admission committee and is contingent upon availability of space.
Faculty
- Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
- bartletm@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6914
- Enderis Hall 317
- Director, Institute for Urban Education
- Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning
- levans@uwm.edu
- 414-229-7324
- Enderis Hall 395
- Teaching Faculty III, Teaching and Learning
- Program Director, Early Childhood Education
- osvatic@uwm.edu
- Enderis Hall 385
Advising
Student Advising & Support Services
ccep-advising@uwm.edu
(414) 229-4721