Bachelor of Science in Community Education. . .
An Undergraduate Degree Program for Experienced Adults

"A Flexible Program for Returning Adults and Working Students"

Change Your Life and Your Community!

The BS in Community Education is for students interested in changing their community, non-school educational roles, or teaching in private or alternative schools. Some students also pursue licensure for teaching in public schools after graduation. Our students explore the causes of social inequality in urban communities, learning strategies for fostering social change and improving student achievement.

We offer courses during the day as well as online, in the evening, and on weekends for working students. We also give academic credit for prior professional experience. *Please note that our online courses can be taken by out-of-state students for in-state tuition.

Join one of the most diverse groups of students and faculty on the UWM campus. Click here to apply online!

Areas of study include:

• Child Care
• Youth Work
• Urban Education
• Alternative Education/At-Risk Students
• Policy and Leadership in Community Based Organizations
• Community Organizing and Social Action
  

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 Developers
• Teachers in Private and Alternative Schools
• Public School Teachers after Pursuing Licensure
• State and Local Elected Officials

Prior Professional Educational Experience (PPEE)

Since Community Education students are adults who have been working, reading and acquiring skills equivalent to those provided in a conventional classroom setting, it is possible to earn credits by demonstration of competencies. The course, Ed Pol 100 - Community Education I, offers students the opportunity to analyze their prior learning and earn credits for their experiences. The process of awarding PPEE credits is through in- class writing that is evaluated by the departmental faculty.

Competency areas include:

Local Community Systems	Resource Development
Political/Economic Analysis	Personal Growth Competency
Philosophies of Change	Group Process Skills
Leadership Issues	Research Skills
Change Strategies	Educational Advocacy
Administrative Skills	Social Problems Analysis
Community Perspectives on  Human Resource Programs	Conflict Resolution

Additional Transfer Credit for Associates Degrees

Community Education (CED) majors with a qualified Associates degree may be eligible for up to 42 additional lower division elective credits for coursework that otherwise would not transfer to UWM. These additional credits can ONLY be used for the CED degree. See your advisor or the "Community Education Associates Degree Credit Transfer Policy."

Course of Study

Students take a common core of introductory courses to help them learn how to evaluate the educational needs inherent in community social problems, devise appropriate change strategies, and improve their skills as advocates and educators. The following four courses are required:

• Ed Pol 111 Organizing for Social Action in Urban Communities
  
• Ed Pol 112 Introduction to Community Education 
• Ed Pol 113 The Milwaukee Community 
• Ed Pol 114 Community Problems 

Students will have the opportunity to relate their programs of study to their community work.

A minimum of 120 credits distributed within specific categories is required for graduation. A student must take a minimum of 36 credits in the required components of the degree program.

The department requires its students to meet requirements for English and mathematics proficiency as outlined in the University's General Education Requirements. Community Education majors have until the beginning of their junior year (58 credits) to meet this requirement.

Students admitted to the University Semester I, 86-87 or later must meet UWM's General Education Requirements.

SubmajorsA submajor is a transcript-designated area of concentration within the major.

The CED major allows students to explore a broad range of community education opportunities; choosing a submajor is not required. But for students interested in more in-depth study of a particular area of community education, two optional submajors are available:
No additional credits are required for the submajor, but there are fewer upper division options. The upper division coursework is more prescribed, focusing on coursework in the chosen submajor.

Click here to view the Community Education (CED) Bachelor of Science degree requirements.

Click here to view the Child Care submajor degree requirements.

Click here to view the Community-Based Organizations Policy & Leadership degree requirements.


Course InformationWant to see what courses are offered during the upcoming semester? Check out the Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date information on UWM courses!