Frequently Asked Questions

The School of Education at UW-Madison offers high-quality professional programs in many subject areas and at various levels. A list of programs and links to details about each can be found at the Education Academic Services website, http://www.education.wisc.edu/eas/programs. Do you have another question you don't see here? Email our online advisor.

• Do you have “master’s with certification” or “fast track” teacher education programs for individuals with a previous degree?
• Can I do a teacher education program on a part-time basis?
• Can I do course work on-line and at a distance?
• How long are your teacher education programs?
• I’ve heard that it is very difficult to get admitted to your programs. Is that true?
• How does advising work in the School?
• When do I apply to the School of Education?
• What do I need to do to become eligible for your professional programs?
• How are students selected for your programs?
• Can I do teacher education and still study abroad?
• I want to teach in another state. Will I have problems getting licensed elsewhere?
• What job placement resources are available to students?

Do you have “master’s with certification” or “fast track” teacher education programs for individuals with a previous degree?

With one exception, the School of Education does not currently offer such programs. (Special Education does allow admitted graduate students to earn a Special Education cross-categorical certification within a master's degree program–contact the department at 608-263-4608 for more information.) Programs like this are under consideration by the faculty in some content areas. Check this site for updates and details.

Currently, students with a previous degree, including those with graduate degrees, will nearly always complete the same teacher education programs as our initial baccalaureate students. Individuals completing Elementary Education, Special Education, or a subject in which they have not done substantial previous course work will earn a second undergraduate degree along with teacher certification. An individual completing a teacher certification program in a previously completed major will be a "Education Special Certification Student" and will earn teacher certification only.

A few of our programs require previous teacher certification. Go to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction “Degrees Offered” site for information about Bilingual Certification, the English as a Second Language (ESL) certification program, the Instructional Technology Specialist Program, the Reading Teacher Program, and the Reading Specialist Program.

Can I do a teacher education program on a part-time basis?

Most of our teacher education programs require sustained, full-time academic work. For instance, the Secondary Education programs in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, as well as the World Language Education programs in French, German, and Spanish, include a full-time, two-year professional sequence. The Elementary Education program includes a mostly full-time, five-semester sequence of professional courses.

Can I do course work on-line and at a distance?

Course work for nearly all initial certification programs is campus-based. Thus, while students may be able to complete a class or two at a distance in some programs, courses are not routinely available on-line. Most programs also require numerous hours in the field. Students will work in the Madison area under the supervision of campus faculty and staff.

How long are your professional teacher education programs?

Many of our most popular teacher education programs require more than four years to complete (for initial degree students). The Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and World Language Education programs will likely take five years. Students with a previous degree will still require two to three years of full-time work to complete many of our teacher education programs.

I’ve heard that it is very difficult to get admitted to your teacher education programs. Is that true?

While admission to most of our teacher education programs is limited, the competitiveness of admission varies dramatically across programs and years. Some programs have routinely admitted all qualified applicants in the past; others admit the vast majority of eligible applicants. Still other programs, due to the changing size of the applicant pool, may be able to admit all applicants one year but turn many away the next year. Also, the selection criteria for our teacher education programs have changed dramatically over the last few years (see “How are students selected for the teacher education programs?” below.) Don’t be alarmed or discouraged by what you hear from others; reports may well be exaggerated or outdated. Please talk to an Education Academic Services advisor (608-262-1651) about your program of interest.

How does advising work in the School?

Students are assigned by alphabet to a specific professional advisor in Education Academic Services. To make an appointment, call the EAS reception desk at 608-262-1651 or visit our office at B117 Education Building. (Appointments cannot be arranged by email.) Phone appointments are always available by request.

Some programs handle their own student advising--for instance, Art, Dance, and Kinesiology-Physical Education. Students will get advisor contact information at their SOAR session.

We strongly encourage all students interested in School of Education programs to confer with an EAS advisor. New Education freshmen are required to meet for a one-time, small group advising session during their first semester on campus. Once admitted to a professional program, students work closely with faculty around their professional learning, performance in the program, and career development. For more information on advising, click here.

When do I apply to the School of Education?

For an open enrollment program like Art, incoming freshmen and transfer students immediately become Art majors and need do nothing more than complete their degree requirements to graduate. On-campus students interested in open enrollment programs must complete a form, meet minimum grade-point average requirements for the School of Education, and meet with an advisor.

For limited enrollment programs, like most School programs, students are admitted in a “pre-professional” status: e.g., pre-Elementary Education, pre-Secondary Education, pre-Kinesiology. Students must then apply to their professional program of interest when they meet the eligibility requirements for that program. Depending on the program, students will apply either their sophomore or junior year.

What do I need to do to become eligible for your professional programs?

Eligibility requirements vary from program to program. In general, teacher education students must complete a minimum number of total credits, take and submit the scores for the Praxis I/Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST), and submit an application by the deadline (currently February 1 for most programs). Some programs–for example, Secondary Education and World Language Education–also require applicants to complete a minimum number of credits in the major. Programs may ask for essays or statements, letters of recommendation, extended study abroad, or other documents or experiences. A specific number of hours of experience with children or in schools is not currently required by any UW-Madison teacher education program–although most well-qualified applicants have substantial work with youth.

Students interested in Kinesiology must complete a set of courses with a minimum grade-point average. Dance students must audition to be admitted to the program. See the specific program handout for details and consult with an advisor.

How are students selected for your programs?

Like the eligibility criteria above, selection procedures vary by program. In general, teacher education programs have moved away from a heavy reliance on grade-point average and test scores and toward holistic analysis of student academic records, backgrounds, and experiences. Teacher candidates are asked to demonstrate or document their abilities, experience, and commitment in the application process. Dance students must take and pass an audition to be admitted. Beginning Fall 2008 admission, Kinesiology students will be admitted based on several criteria. See specific program information for details.

Can I do teacher education and still study abroad?

School faculty and staff believe that study abroad experiences can be extremely valuable for our students; we strongly encourage these experiences. In fact, our World Language Education programs require that students study abroad extensively. We also offer an International Student Teaching Program in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France, and elsewhere.

At the same time, teacher education students must arrange these experiences so that they do not conflict with their professional program sequence. Students should consult early with their EAS advisor if they want to study abroad. Depending on the overseas site, students may wish to hold certain courses in reserve to be taken abroad. Elementary Education students should plan to go abroad during either their sophomore year or the fall semester of their junior year (they will begin the professional sequence in the spring of their junior year). Check out the campus International Academic Programs website and resource room (250 Bascom Hall) for information about campus study abroad options.

I want to teach in another state. Will I have problems getting licensed outside Wisconsin?

Our experience suggests that students who finish our programs do not have serious problems getting licensed in other states. Many of our students are routinely licensed in Minnesota and Illinois. Wisconsin certification is not necessarily automatically accepted in other states; each state has its own specific licensing requirements. These requirements may include different tests and, occasionally, more course work.

Important note to students interested in middle school/junior high school teaching: In most states, middle school/junior high school licensing requires both (1) completion of a certifiable major or minor in a content area and (2) passing scores on a content examination in that subject. Individuals interested in Elementary Education and who plan to teach middle school or junior high school outside Wisconsin should consult carefully with other states' departments of education or public instruction regarding their licensing requirements.

What job placement resources are available to students?

The School’s Educational Portfolios and Career Services (EPCS) Office assists students and alumni with job search, career decision making, and portfolio services. EPCS provides all aspects of a thorough job search–credential service, e-portfolio, job vacancy information, resume writing assistance, and job search consultation. The credential, which includes a two-page resume, transcript copies, and authentic references, can be managed and delivered through one of the most powerful and innovative on-line systems in the nation.

EPCS consultants help individuals prepare letters of application, resumes, and portfolios; strengthen interviewing skills; and plan the job search. We provide information about alternative careers, computerized job banks, salaries, and job market trends. Of those students who register with EPCS, 90-95% are employed full time or part time within a year.

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