Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (Ages 6-13) Teacher Certification Program
A major goal of the Exceptional Education Department at UWM is to prepare teachers with a commitment to the diverse group of students with disabilities who are served in schools and community settings. Our intent is to prepare teachers who are versed in both the practical and the visionary. Our certification program leads to a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) teaching license of Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence (MCEA) for ages 6-13.
The program is a post-baccalaureate program leading to the Wisconsin Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence Special Education certification. The program offers two options, depending on the student's educational background and experience:
- 1 year: for individuals with prior teaching experience
- 2 year: for individuals with a Bachelor's Degree NOT in Education
- 5th year collaborative program: for individuals applying from the UWM Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Can lead to a
Master's Degree in Exceptional Education with certification in Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence Special Education or a master's degree with an individually designed program of study without certification.
Admission The MCEA program is a cohort model and begins in the summer. To be admitted to the MCEA program students must meet requirements for admission to
InternshipThe Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification is a part of the
UWM/MPS Internship Program. The UWM/MPS Special Education Internship Program is an innovative program that prepares teachers to provide special education services at the early childhood, middle, or high school level.
Special Education Dual Certificate Program (5th year)In partnership with Department of Curriculum and Instruction, this 5th year program is geared toward undergraduates who are interested in becoming special educators. Upon successful completion of the regular education Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence program, students are automatically admitted into the 5th year special education option. The goal of this comprehensive, dual certificate program is to prepare students who plan to teach a diverse group of students with disabilities in an inclusive regular education context.
This is a teacher certificate program. Students receive their bachelor's degrees upon completion of UWM's collaborative regular education program. Many students complete the 5th year special education option as part of a master's degree program.
