The Foundations of Teacher Education associate degree program prepares you to engage with students of diverse ages and varying ability levels while operating under the guidance and supervision of a licensed teacher. You will be well-equipped for a fulfilling career as a paraprofessional or educational assistant, offering invaluable support services to school-age students. While this program prepares graduates to serve in a variety of educational contexts, it places a primary emphasis on roles in elementary and middle-level schools.

Graduates of this program possess the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective instructional strategies, enabling you to assist students with a wide array of academic tasks, including mathematics, science, reading, and writing assignments, in addition to other instructional activities. You will be adept at monitoring student progress, providing individualized support, facilitating small group activities, and offering one-on-one tutoring. Moreover, you'll play an integral role in enhancing the classroom environment by contributing to classroom displays, aiding students with computer and media-related tasks, and overseeing various classroom and school events.

Western's Foundations of Teacher Education program is fully compliant with Title I requirements and fulfills the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for paraprofessionals. Furthermore, graduates of this program have the opportunity to transfer to several universities offering bachelor degree programs in Elementary Education or Special Education.

The Digital Media Production program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's ever-evolving media landscape. In this program, you will learn to leverage the art of design and storytelling to create compelling media products and services. Gain hands-on expertise in video production, photography, motion graphics, graphic design, and more. You'll bring your creative visions to life by developing innovative solutions, taking your projects from concept to completion.

Through a diverse range of media software, tools, and technology, you will develop the skills necessary to meet the demands of the continually evolving digital media market.

The field of electromechanical maintenance covers a wide spectrum, from high-tech to low-tech applications, including robotics and mining. It provides a diverse range of opportunities to work with mechanical, electrical, and electronic control systems.

In this role, you'll work with machine operators and use Maintenance Management System (MMS) software to maintain industrial equipment and maximize operational uptime.

With this degree, you can directly enter the workforce in this field. Or, you have the option to expand your career prospects and increase your earning potential by seamlessly transitioning into the second year of Western's Electromechanical Technology associate degree program.

This program is specifically designed for those with a minimum of 40 accredited college-level credits who seek to meet Wisconsin certification requirements as a law enforcement officer. In this role, you'll be responsible for the preservation of law and order in your community. You'll learn numerous skills related to the profession of law enforcement. Your training will also include crime prevention, crime investigation, vehicle patrols, and assisting the public.

This program includes in-class fitness training and other physical education such as defensive tactics and fire arms training. You'll have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills with hands-on training and scenario-based field simulations.