Secondary Education at UW-Madison Moving to Graduate Level

What is changing?

Beginning in 2014, the School of Education at UW-Madison will prepare middle and high school English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies teachers through a graduate-level program. This graduate Secondary Education teacher preparation program will replace the current undergraduate Secondary Education program. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in their teaching area will apply to a full-time professional graduate program.

How is the new graduate program structured?

The new graduate program in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies will run one full academic year and two summers. Students will begin one summer, complete two additional academic year semesters of classroom and field work, and finish in the next summer. Graduates will leave with certification in their subjects of interest (e.g., History, English, Mathematics) as well as certification in English as a Second Language (ESL).

Why this change?

This change permits the School’s Secondary Education faculty to offer an innovative, leading edge program. Teachers are already being prepared at the graduate level in many programs throughout the Midwest and the nation. School leaders tell us that the English as a Second Language certification addresses critical instructional needs and will make our students highly desirable in the job market. The new, shorter program replaces a two-year preparation program that took most students five years to complete at the undergraduate level. The Secondary Education faculty expect that the new program will attract the best prepared and most committed students, including individuals from diverse backgrounds and career changers.

I’m in college right now. How does this change affect me?

Two additional cohorts of students will be admitted to the current undergraduate program. These include individuals who have applied to the professional program for Fall Semester 2012 admission and individuals who will apply for Fall Semester 2013 admission. We expect that currently enrolled undergraduates--both here on campus and transferring from other institutions--will be able to meet program eligibility requirements for the final undergraduate admission cohort. (For admission details, go to http://pubs.wisc.edu/ug/education_Programs.htm, choose your major, then click on “Application and Admission Information.”) Of course, students currently enrolled in the Secondary Education professional program will not be affected by this change.

I’m an incoming freshman who will start in fall 2012. How does this change affect me?

We do not expect incoming fall 2012 freshmen to meet admission eligibility requirements, and thus they will not be admissible to the undergraduate Secondary Education program. Beginning immediately (January, 2012), incoming freshmen will no longer be admitted to the School of Education as “pre-Secondary Education students”; instead, they will be admitted to the College of Letters and Science (L&S). On-campus students interested in the new program will complete an undergraduate degree with a relevant major and apply to the new graduate program their senior year.

Are other programs impacted?

This restructuring will not impact other teacher education programs at UW-Madison. For example, World Language Education programs (Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, etc.), Elementary Education, and Special Education continue to be offered at the undergraduate level at UW-Madison.

How will admissions be handled in the graduate program?

Like the current undergraduate program, the graduate program will limit enrollments and require competitive admission. The published criteria for admission selection will continue to be used (see the website indicated above for details). Currently, 15 individuals are admitted to each of the four Secondary Education areas (Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and English) and this will continue in the short run. In the long run the faculty hope to expand substantially the number of students admitted in Science and Math.

Will financial aid be available?

Program faculty will be applying for grant funds from the federal government for student internship support and are already seeking scholarships from donors through the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Graduate student assistantships will not be available.

What about employability issues for new teachers with a graduate degree?

Our research indicates that the increased compensation usually required for teachers with advanced degrees will not disadvantage our students in a competitive job market—especially given the ESL certification our students will earn.

What if I have additional questions?

School of Education advisors will be happy to answer questions and confer with students and their families. Please write to us at easinfo@education.wisc.edu or phone the Education Academic Services reception desk at 608-262-1651. Education advisors will continue to work with students as they consider and begin preparing for careers in teaching.

January 2012

Comments or Problems: easinfo@education.wisc.edu.
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