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STEP Admission

A page within Secondary Teacher Education Preparation (STEP)

All individuals interested in completing a School of Education teacher education program at UW-La Crosse matriculate through four benchmarks. The first benchmark starts with the declaration of a major in a teacher education area. The second benchmark is Admission to the School of Education. The third benchmark is Admission to Student Teaching or Internships and the final benchmark is university endorsement  for teacher certification.

STEP Admission Policies and Procedures

(All programs except Broadfield Social Studies)

The STEP Admission Process consists of the following components: Satisfying the STEP program Application Academic Requirements, completing the application survey, including submitting a current resume and an Educational Experience Reflection Paper, and participating in a Candidate Interview. See below for additional details regarding each of these components. For questions on the STEP Admission Policy, please contact Dr. Matt Chedister  (mchedister@uwlax.edu).

Admission to some STEP programs is competitive. Resources available limit the number of students admitted. Not all students declaring a STEP major and/or completing the application process are admitted to STEP programs.

In addition, The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC, and to complete their portion of the process prior to the deadline specified in their admission letter.  Teacher candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s). Admission decisions by programs are contingent upon CBC clearance by the UWL Office of Field Experience.

Application Deadlines - see the SOE Admission webpage for deadlines and the application link Applications for admission to the School of Education STEP programs open on the first day of classes each semester, and close on the third Friday of each semester at 4 PM.  All materials must be submitted through the survey,  including completing the application survey and uploading all required materials  The application survey must be completed by this date to have an application that is considered for admission.

  • A checklist, video, and screenshots of the qualtrics survey are provide on the SOE admissions page to help guide you through the process
  • The admission process requires the collection and writing of several documents (resume, transcripts, essay) so set aside time in advance to prepare your application.

Requirements for Admission:

  1. Complete ENG 110 or 112 with a grade of "C" or higher.
  2. Complete a minimum of 40 earned credits (including transfer credits).
  3. Complete or be concurrently enrolled in EDS 203 or EDS 206.
  4. Have attained a 2.75 combined cumulative grade point average.
  • Note: the GPA listed on your current academic transcript must be used to satisfy the GPA requirement for admission purposes.
  • A GPA Waiver process exists for students whose current grade point average falls below 2.75. For more details on this process, refer to the Appeal and Reapplication Policy.
  • Please contact Dr. Jennifer Kosiak (jkosiak@uwlax.edu) if you have a question on these pre-application benchmarks.

Phase I - Qualtrics Survey - see SOE Admission webpage for deadline and link:

You will be required to upload the following materials as part of the application survey: 

  • Current Resume (for resume samples visit UWL Career Services)
  • Unofficial Transcript - Upload your unofficial transcript from WINGS.
  • Educational Experience Reflection Paper based on the required  coursework for admission (see above). The STEP Reflection Paper Guidelines will provide you with more information. 
  • Materials for a GPA waiver request if applicable (see below)

Phase II -STEP Interview

Once the application deadline has passed and the survey has closed, faculty members within each STEP program will review the completed applications. Approximately two weeks following submission of the application materials, STEP applicants will be notified by program faculty of whether or not they will be moving on to the interview portion of the application process. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee an interview. 

Phase III - STEP Admission 

Admission decisions will be sent to students via e-mail from the School of Education by the end of week 8.   Resources available limit the number of students admitted. Not all students completing the application process are admitted to STEP.

Admission decisions are contingent upon criminal background check (CBC) clearance by the UWL Office of Field Experience. Applicants are required to disclose past criminal offenses to be admitted to any teacher education program. Please see the admission to SOE webpage for additional information and requirements.

ADMISSION WITH A GPA WAIVER POLICY: Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for admission may request admission with a waiver of the GPA requirement . This waiver request must be submitted at the time of application for admission, as part of the application survey.   As part of the waiver request, you will be required to upload the following additional documents:

  • Written statement of appeal identifying the reason(s) why the GPA requirement was not satisfied and why the committee should approve a waiver in this case.
  • Two letters of support from faculty/staff or other professionals who can address the issue being appealed.

APPEAL OF A NEGATIVE ADMISSION DECISION Students who are not admitted to the School of Education STEP programs may appeal the admission decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the STEP Admission Committee by November 1 for fall applicants and April 1 for spring applicants. The student may be asked to meet with the STEP Admission Committee as part of the appeal process. Students will be notified of the appeal decision in a timely manner. The appeal decision is final.  

Students may reapply to the STEP Program during any semester of their academic career at UWL as long as they meet minimum admission requirements.

Students who have been admitted to the School of Education but are changing their major to a different teacher education program must reapply for admission to the new program.

This site was last updated on 10/2024