early Childhood Education
Prepare to shape future generations and become one of the most important caregivers in the life of a child. Complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Through this degree, you will be prepared to be licensed to teach children from birth to age 8. Early childhood educators guide children through the beginning of their path to becoming lifelong learners through play, authentic learning experiences, and social encounters with peers and adults alike. If you've always dreamed of working with young children, a degree in Early Childhood Education may be for you!
UW-Parkside offers coursework leading to a license in Early Childhood Education (birth-age 8) through a 2+2 articulation agreement with the Wisconsin Technical College System. Future teachers seeking an Early Childhood license must complete an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Early Childhood Education at a WTCS school before moving to Parkside to complete the Bachelors degree. An Early Childhood Education license enables future teachers to teach young children from birth through age 8. UW-Parkside students in this program will develop a knowledge base in early childhood methods in literacy, math, science, and social studies, participate in co-teaching clinical placements at various developmental levels, conduct action research, become familiar with a variety of educational technology, and gain firsthand teaching experience in early childhood classrooms. This program maintains separate GPA and admission requirements and requires a background check. This program culminates in a semester-long, full-time, school-based Residency experience.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
CO-TEACHING MODEL
From your very first clinical experience, you will be part of the co-teaching model. You are paired with a professional teacher from your very first education course through your final experience as a student teacher. Parkside has strong partnerships with area schools who open their doors so that you can experience first-hand what it is like to be a teacher in the real world. There is no other education program in the state with this unique opportunity for learning.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career Opportunities
Coursework in this program can lead to a license in Elementary Education. Teachers with an elementary license are qualified to work as classroom teachers in grades 1-8. Further education at the graduate level can lead to such careers as school principal, counselor, educational specialist, or instructional program coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the clinical hours work?
Teacher candidates (you) work alongside a professional educator (a teacher) to support student learning at area schools. Depending upon your major, you will serve clinical hours at different developmental or grade levels. UW-Parkside currently has two license areas: Secondary Education for grades 6-12 (middle and high school) and Elementary Education for grades 1-8. Initial EDU courses require 20 clinical hours per course, which comes out to about two hours a week that you’ll be spending time in a classroom.
What does the clinical placement involve?
Our Clinical Placement Coordinator, Tracy Hribar, will set up a time within the first weeks of the semester for what we call “Pairs Training," where you will meet the teacher you’re going to spend time with for the semester. This meeting is a chance for you to share times you’re available and discuss expectations for you in their classroom. You’ll confirm the days and times you’ll be in their classroom during this meeting as well.
How will I fit 20 hours into my semester schedule?
By learning and utilizing time management skills, you will be able to work these hours into your semester schedule. On average, 20 hours a semester works out to be about two hours per week in the classroom. This doesn’t include your travel time to and from your clinical placement. IPED recommends keeping one or two mornings a week open so you have this time to go to your school placement to help you complete the required clinical hours. The IPED advisor is available to work with you to learn time management skills.
What if I don’t end up liking teaching?
Don’t worry, exploring is very important to help you learn what you like or dislike about any degree program. EDU100 is a good class to introduce IPED students to the classroom experience. Working with the IPED advisor, you will find it is very easy to change your major or continue exploring your options.
OTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Education Programs
Secondary Education Major
Special Education Major
English as a Second Language Minor
Bilingual Education Certification
Licensure Opportunities
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
PreK-12
Technology + Pre-engineering
English as a Second Language Minor
Bilingual Education Certification
PROGRAM CONTACT INFO
Mary Henderson | 262-595-2180 | hendersm@uwp.edu
