Early Childhood Education - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Help children create a strong educational foundation

Students who choose to become early childhood educators (birth-3rd grade license) have a passion for working with young children and helping them develop and grow. Students in the early childhood education program at UW-Stevens Point learn key strategies not only to teach young children, but also to work collaboratively with their families in family-centered, culturally-responsive and developmentally-appropriate settings. Successful candidates in the program earn a bachelor’s degree and Wisconsin teaching licenses in Early Childhood grades Pre-kindergarten through third grade. Our graduates are well prepared to engage student in inquiry, facilitate learning, develop curriculum and use student data to inform instruction.

In addition to a major in early childhood education, students are encouraged to minor in early childhood special education (birth-3rd grade Early Childhood Special Education license) or double major in elementary education (K-9 Elementary and Middle license) or any one of a number of minors or certificates.

Why study Early Childhood Education at UW-Stevens Point?

Praised for its program outcomes, graduation and retention rates, advising services, student organization opportunities and vast program options, UW-Stevens Point was ranked second in the U.S. on  Study.com’s Best Colleges for Education Majors list. The Elementary Methods Block (EMB) is a significant practicum experience one semester prior to student teaching in which early childhood education majors spend six to eight weeks immersed in area schools.

Sample Graduation Plan Academic and Career Advising Scholarships and Aid

School of Education

Field Experiences

The responsibility of the Office of Field Experiences is to provide quality field experiences for students enrolled in the teacher education program at UW-Stevens Point. These experiences, such as student teaching, involve our students and instructors in practical activities with cooperating teachers and administrators in actual schools and educational agencies.

Office of Field Experiences

Early Childhood Education

Hired Before Graduation

Baylee Rezac ’23

Baylee Rezac was hired before graduation at New Leaf Prep Academy in Green Bay as a 4K and kindergarten teacher.

Hired Before Graduation

School of Education

Ranked #2 in the U.S.

For the second year in a row, the education program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has been ranked second in the nation according to Study.com.

Study.com Ranking

School of Education

Community and Centers

Through many School of Education centers and programs, our students may observe the development process in young children and then apply principles discussed in teaching method classes to real life situations.

Gesell Institute Harju Center for Equity in Education Talent Development Center

School of Education

Alumni Map

Where are they now?

UW-Stevens Point School of Education alumni live and work all over the world—so if you’re looking for networking opportunities close to a new home or contact info for fellow Pointer in another city, you’re in luck. Looking for a fellow UWSP teacher near you? Start with our map.

Alumni Map

What to Expect?

Student teaching is the culminating experience in the teacher candidate’s academic program of study at UW-Stevens Point. It provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to practice and refine their knowledge and skills under the supervision and guidance of cooperating teachers and our own faculty who have dedicated their careers to education and a lifetime of student learning. We allow our students to student teach anywhere within Wisconsin, as well opportunities in the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Alaska, pending availability of appropriate assignments.

UW-Stevens Point graduates in the School of Education typically have some of the highest placement rates of full-time teaching jobs within their first year after graduation across the UW System. For example, nearly 100 percent of our recent early childhood education graduates have been hired within one year of graduation.

Our alumni are high-quality educators who experience high career success. They are responsive to the needs of their students and positively impact our diverse world. See where our graduates are working on our alumni map.

Get Involved on Campus

Through volunteer opportunities and varied professional development opportunities, you’ll be an active learner closely involved in real-world situations designed to ensure your professional success.

Our students are academically engaged, highly motivated, and actively involved at the local, state, national and international levels. Student organizations are vital to your pre-professional experiences. As such, the School of Education sponsors the following organizations: Aspiring Educators, Early Childhood Educators, Kappa Delta Pi, and Student Council for Exceptional Children.

You may be lucky enough to work with one of the Neale Fellows, select teachers whose projects make a difference at their schools, and who work jointly with faculty teaching your classes.

Early Childhood Education

Navigate Your Major

Major Maps help students map their first day to the first job in their chosen field. While a four-year plan outlines classes to get a degree, Major Maps help students learn how to build career-ready skills and experiences outside the classroom. Each Major Map shows how students can get the most of their UW-Stevens Point journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond. It’s a roadmap to discovering your purpose!

Major Map

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

Our School of Education faculty and staff are caring, involved and committed to student success. They are dynamically responsive to the changes happening in education and offer outstanding support to our students’ professional preparation.

View all our faculty/staff