Teacher Education Programs program

Pursue your dream to teach.

Few professions offer the challenges, satisfactions and rewards that are available as a teacher. Your individuality and creativity are cultivated in the exciting process of creating opportunities for children and adolescents to learn, and you have the joy of watching this process in action every day.

UW-La Crosse's School of Education is a leader in the preparation of globally-responsive teachers who demonstrate a profound respect for the dignity of all learners.

Undergrad major Teacher license

Teacher Education Programs

Students must apply for admission to any teacher education program. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and individual programs have specific criteria that must be met for admission. The process of applying to a teacher education program is described on the UWL School of Education webpage. Students are also required to disclose past criminal offenses and complete a criminal background check.

Learn more for Teacher Education Programs

Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9)

Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) Catalogfor Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9)

Middle/High School Education (grades 4-12)

Undergrad major Teacher license

Grades K-12 Education

Undergrad major Teacher license

A program within the Department of Educational Studies

Program requirements

Students must apply for admission to any teacher education program. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and individual programs have specific criteria that must be met for admission. The process of applying to a teacher education program is described on the UWL School of Education webpage. Students are also required to disclose past criminal offenses and complete a criminal background check.

Portrait of Benjamin Levelius

Faculty members in my programs encouraged hands-on engagement with people at the English as a Second Language Institute and in local immigrant communities. UWL helped me to think globally.

Benjamin Levelius

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Teaching jobs

Well-prepared teachers are in high demand in Wisconsin and across the nation. State educator effectiveness data show that UWL graduates exceed the Wisconsin averages in performance in virtually every category as new teachers. Graduates of UWL’s teacher education programs enjoy near 100% job placement rates due to exceptional preparation, advising and support from university faculty and staff.

UWL students are well prepared through active collaboration with local school districts. UWL leads the state in the scope and depth of our collaborative relationships with area schools and districts, and we promote leadership and confidence in our education majors as they assume increasing autonomy in the K-12 classroom throughout their clinical experiences.

Entry-level careers

  • Elementary, middle or high school teacher
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Pre-school or Head Start teacher
  • Infant/toddler teacher

Long-term career development

  • Department chairperson/lead teacher
  • Educational consultant (private firm)
  • Childcare administrator
  • Early intervention educator
  • National board certification/master teacher
  • Principal
  • Public relations (government or private)
  • Superintendent of schools
  • College/university professor/instructor
  • School psychologist
  • Instructional coach
  • Reading specialist

Options to pursue in teaching at UW-La Crosse

Early childhood education - birth - grade 3

Candidates will be certified to teach students from birth to grade 3. Candidates complete over 1,000 hours of immersive, authentic clinical experiences in early childhood-grade 3 settings. Candidates are prepared to teach in public, private, and parochial elementary schools, as well as early childhood education settings. Candidates are prepared to provide instruction in all regular education curriculum areas: reading and language arts, general science, mathematics and social studies.

Elementary and middle school education - grades K-9

Candidates will be certified to teach students in grades K-9. They complete general education requirements, teacher education requirements for the elementary and middle school education major, and benchmark assessments. Candidates may also choose majors that lead to one or multiple certifications:

  • Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9)
  • Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & Special Education (grades K-12)
  • Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (grades K-12)
  • Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & French Education (grades K-12)
  • Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & Spanish Education (grades K-12)

All candidates complete over 1,000 hours of immersive, authentic clinical experiences in grade K-9 classrooms. Candidates are prepared to teach in public, private, and parochial elementary and middle schools. Candidates are prepared to provide instruction and assessment in all curricular areas: reading and language arts, general science, mathematics, and social studies.

Candidates for the Special Education (grades K-12), Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (grades K-12)*, French Education (grades K-12) or Spanish Education (grades K-12) licenses also complete clinical experiences in these licensure areas. *Licensure in English as a Second Language

Middle and high school education - grades 4-12 - Secondary teacher preparation

Candidates will complete a major aligned with their chosen licensure area. Candidates are prepared to teach in public, private, and parochial middle and high schools. By completing general education requirements, teacher education requirements, major content area requirements, and benchmark assessments, candidates are prepared to teach students in grades 4-12 in their content area. Candidates complete over 800 hours of immersive, authentic clinical experiences in middle and high school classrooms.

Majors (Licensure area bolded):

  • Broad Field Social Studies Education
  • Broad Field Social Studies Education: History Concentration
  • Broad Field Social Studies Education: Political Science Concentration
  • Broad Field Social Studies Education: Sociology Concentration
  • Biology – Science Education Emphasis
  • Chemistry – Science Education Emphasis
  • Physics – Science Education Emphasis
  • English Education
  • Mathematics Education
K-12 Education

Candidates will complete a major aligned with their chosen licensure area. Candidates are prepared to teach in public, private, and parochial elementary, middle, and high schools. By completing general education requirements, teacher education requirements, major content area requirements, and benchmark assessments, candidates are prepared to teach students in grades K-12 in their content area. Candidates complete over 800 hours of immersive, authentic clinical experiences in K-12 classrooms. Candidates for the French or Spanish licenses also complete a language immersion experience.

Majors (Licensure area bolded):

  • Art Education
  • French Education
  • French Education & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages*
  • Music Education – Choral & General Music Emphasis
  • Music Education – Instrumental & General Music Emphasis
  • Physical, Adapted, and School Health Education (PASHE)
  • Spanish Education
  • Spanish Education & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages*

*Licensure in English as a Second Language

Post Baccalaureate Initial Teacher Certification

At this time, UWL does not offer a pathway to post baccalaureate initial teacher certification.

Sample courses

EDS 309 Teaching Global Perspectives Across the Curriculum Through a social justice-oriented examination of the cultural, economic, political, and social layers of globalization and global interconnectedness, students develop reflective stances about global perspectives and understandings. This course prepares students as 21st century globally responsive citizens and educators through an exploration of global issues and how these issues are addressed in K-12 classrooms. Additionally, students develop their pedagogical practice through analysis and creation of materials and instructional strategies necessary for effective implementation of global education throughout K-12 educational systems. Prerequisite: EDS 203; EDS 206. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.

SPE 200 Foundations of Special Education This course introduces teacher education majors to special education practices from historical, legislative, and people-centered recommended practices. General education and special education teachers have a shared responsibility to meet the needs of all students in learning environments that address individual needs and strengths. Teacher candidates gain foundational understanding of exceptionalities from people, concepts, and historical perspective; policies, practices, and programs in special education; characteristics, prevalence, and supports and services for individuals with exceptionalities (as defined in current federal regulations); collaborative roles of general and special educators; and partnerships with families. Prerequisite: EDS 206 or EDS 308 or concurrent enrollment; sophomore status. Students cannot earn credit in both SPE 401 and SPE 200. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

EDS 311 Curriculum and Pedagogy: Elementary/Middle Education The course is designed to consider the nature of a teaching profession, the use of standards in a profession, and responsibilities of PK-12 educators. The role of schools in society is examined along with the history and politics of school curriculum. Possible levels of curriculum use in schools from knowledge reproduction to curriculum integration is discussed. Culturally responsive teaching and conflict resolution are emphasized. Prerequisite: EDS 203, EDS 206; declared education major. Offered Fall, Spring.

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