Art education is a perfect choice for students who thrive in creative, collaborative environments. People who choose this meaningful career path love viewing, discussing, and making works of art, and are also passionate about engaging others in these artistic processes.
UW–Madison's art education program provides essential preparation for a variety of careers in art education. Students work directly with children and adolescents in both school and community-based field placements in every semester of the program. They study with outstanding art and education faculty in a range of rigorous and engaging studio, art history, and education courses, while also connecting with Madison’s vibrant arts community through field trips and service learning.
Graduates of our program earn a Bachelor of Science degree, a career-ready Wisconsin teaching license in K–12 art education, and gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to teach the visual arts in a variety of school and community-based settings. The job market for art educators is incredibly healthy across the nation, and virtually all of our graduates land jobs that match their interests and expertise.
Consult the departmental website for additional information about art education. Students intending to teach in Wisconsin may be eligible for the Teacher Pledge, an opt-in loan forgiveness program for teacher education students.
How to Get In
Art Education Declaration Overview
Students typically enter UW–Madison as Pre-Art Education students (PAED), spend the first two years completing liberal studies, general education, and foundational studio requirements, and declare Art Education during their sophomore year for their final two years on campus.
On-campus students starting at UW-Madison in other majors can move to Pre-Art Education by completing a Pre-Professional Declaration. A GPA of 2.75, based on all UW–Madison coursework or the last 60 credits, is required to transfer into Pre-Art Education. It is not necessary to be a Pre-Art Education student before declaring an Art Education major.
Eligibility to Declare Art Education
Art Education currently accepts declarations at any point during the year. The on-campus declaration form is located on the School of Education's Undergraduate Admissions page, along with information about the current eligibility requirements. Students should consult this site prior to submitting a declaration as this information may be modified from one declaration period to the next.
Off-campus students wishing to transfer directly into Art Education should complete the on-campus declaration and must also be admitted to UW-Madison. See Transfer Students and Students with a Bachelor’s Degree, below.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Meet with the Art Education advisor Dr. Mary Hoefferle (email her directly to set up an appointment at hoefferle@wisc.edu ) or a School of Education Student Services advisor. Email studentservices@education.wisc.edu or call 608-262-1651 to schedule an appointment in Student Services. On-campus students can schedule using Starfish.
- Earn 40 or more total credits by the end of the semester prior to declaration.
- Complete at least 6 aesthetics credits (such as ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art, ART 208 Current Directions in Art and/or art history courses) and 20 studio credits by the end of the declaration semester.
- Earn a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA based on all college coursework attempted or a 2.75 last 60 credits GPA by the end of the term prior to the declaration semester. This GPA must be maintained at the end of the declaration semester. 1
- 1
Last 60 Credits Rule - Two grade point averages may be calculated to determine a candidate's eligibility to declare. A GPA may be calculated using (1) UW-Madison and all other all transferable college level coursework attempted and (2) the last 60 credits attempted. The higher GPA of these two calculations will be used for determining eligibility. Once declared, students must earn a semester GPA of 2.75 each semester after declaration. More information on this rule is available here.
Students will be provisionally admitted pending the completion of all eligibility requirements by the end of the declaration semester.
Transfer Students and Students with a Previous Degree
Transfer students and students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree must be admitted to UW-Madison to enroll in a School of Education program. Admission to the campus has its own application, admission process, and application deadlines; see Office of Admissions and Recruitment for campus application information.
Students wishing to enter directly into Art Education should complete both the on-campus declaration and the UW-Madison application. All eligibility requirements must be met. Transfers who do not meet the declaration eligibility criteria will be admitted to UW-Madison with the Pre-Art Education designation.
An applicant with a previous undergraduate degree will be admitted to Art Education as a second degree candidate. Second degree candidates in the School of Education are changing their academic direction and wish to complete a degree that is unrelated to their first. A large number of credits are usually required to complete the new degree requirements and a second degree is awarded upon its completion; more information is available here.
All off-campus students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor in the School of Education Student Services office in advance of their declaration. Consultations are available in person, virtually, or via telephone; email soeacademicservices@education.wisc.edu or call 608-262-1651 to schedule an appointment.
Background Checks
Pursuant to State of Wisconsin law PI 34.018(2), the School of Education is required to administer a background check on all students entering teacher education programs. This check is intended to determine if the applicant has engaged in any behavior that endangers the health, welfare, safety, or education of PK-12 pupils. Local school districts frequently conduct background checks on teacher education students prior to the start of their in-classroom field work, and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will also conduct a background check on each applicant for a Wisconsin educator license.
Students should be aware that background checks may be initiated by other agencies or organizations when they are seeking employment or a professional license. School administrators have the authority to determine the appropriateness of a student placement and may choose not to permit a placement based on a student’s background check results.
An individual who has been deemed ineligible to participate in field or clinical experiences based on the results of their background check may not be able to complete the requirements for their degree or certification. Students with questions about these processes should contact the Teacher Education Center, tec@education.wisc.edu.
- University General Education Requirements
- School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements
- Program Structure
- Art Foundations Program
- Aesthetics Requirement
- Major Requirements
- Professional Education Requirements
- Art Education Requirements
- GPA and Other Graduation Requirements
- Additional Certification Requirements and Applying for a License
- University Degree Requirements
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
School of Education Liberal Studies Requirements
All students are required to complete a minimum of 40 credits of Liberal Studies coursework. This requirement provides an opportunity to do some academic exploration beyond the scope of the major. Students take courses in areas of particular interest and also have an opportunity to sample the wide selection of courses offered across the university. Coursework is required in humanities, social studies, science, and cultural and historical studies. Some elective coursework is also needed to reach the required number of credits.
The School of Education’s Liberal Studies Requirements automatically satisfy most of the University General Education Requirements outlined above, including ethnic studies, humanities/literature, social studies, and science. Students pursuing most School of Education degree programs may also complete Communication Part B, Quantitative Reasoning Part A, and Quantitative Reasoning Part B through courses required by their degree program. If a student cannot complete a General Education Requirement within the curriculum of their chosen School of Education program, academic advisors can offer suggestions for courses that meet the requirement and augment the student’s primary area of study.
A basic outline of the liberal studies is included below. Students must consult the detailed version of the requirements for information about course selection and approved course options.
Humanities, 9 credits
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Literature
- Fine Arts
- Humanities Electives
Social Studies (Social Science)
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Teacher certification programs and Kinesiology have unique requirements in this category.
Science
All students must complete a minimum of 9 credits to include:
- Biological Science
- Physical Science
- Laboratory Science
- Science Electives
Cultural and Historical Studies
All students must complete three requirements (9 credits) met by separate courses. Any of these courses can also be used to meet the Humanities or Social Studies (Social Sciences) requirements if it has the relevant breadth designation.
- Ethnic Studies
- U.S./European History
- Global Perspectives
Complete Liberal Studies Electives to total 40 Credits.
Program Structure
The art education program is divided into five areas of study:
- Liberal studies courses expose students to a broad range of academic disciplines. The university-wide General Education requirements also encourage this breadth of study.
- The Foundations Program requires six interrelated studio and aesthetics courses designed to prepare first-year students for further study in studio art and design.
- Aesthetics coursework gives students an opportunity to study both the history of art and contemporary developments in the visual arts.
- Major requirements offer an in-depth study of studio art.
- Professional education coursework includes an examination of the schools' relationship to our society and the processes by which students grow and learn. The professional sequence is a three-semester sequence of art education teaching methods coursework and field experiences in schools.
Art Foundations Program
The Art Foundations Program is a series of interrelated studio and lecture courses to be taken by art and art education majors in their first year as preparation for further study in studio art and design. The program addresses the fundamentals of art through investigation of formal, technical and conceptual issues. The drawing, 2D and 3D design, digital media, and art historical lecture classes are designed to expose, broaden, and challenge students' understanding of contemporary art production.
Art foundations classes are meant to be taken concurrently and the information covered in them is interrelated. Students completing the foundations program should enroll in ART 102 Two-Dimensional Design, ART 212 Drawing Methods & Concepts, and ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art for the fall semester and complete ART 104 Three-Dimensional Design, ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms, and ART 208 Current Directions in Art in the spring.
Most freshman art majors complete their foundations courses through participation in the very popular Contemporary Art and Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG), which also creates a network of corresponding experiences and a peer community that will continue throughout the program and often beyond graduation. Students in FIGs enjoy studying with instructors dedicated to serving first year students, the opportunity to integrate related ideas from all three classes, and the ready-made opportunities to form support networks and lasting friendships.
Additional information about the Foundations Program is available on the departmental website.
Aesthetics Requirement
Complete four courses focusing on the history of art and contemporary developments in the visual arts.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 108 | Foundations of Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ART 208 | Current Directions in Art | 3 |
| ART HIST 202 | History of Western Art II: From Renaissance to Contemporary | 4 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Art History (world art topics) | ||
| The Art of Diversity: Race and Representation in the Art and Visual Culture of the United States | ||
| Survey of Asian Art | ||
| Global Arts | ||
| Introduction to African Art and Architecture | ||
| Introduction to Afro-American Art | ||
| History of Islamic Art and Architecture | ||
| From Tomb to Temple: Ancient Chinese Art and Religion in Transition | ||
| The Tastes of Scholars and Emperors: Chinese Art in the Later Periods | ||
| Cross-Cultural Arts Around the Atlantic Rim: 1800 to the Present | ||
| Topics in Asian Art | ||
| Topics in African and African Diaspora Art History | ||
| Visual Cultures of India | ||
| Art and Power in the Arab World | ||
| Japanese Ceramics and Allied Arts | ||
| Art and History in Africa | ||
- 1
Additional art history courses addressing arts from underrepresented cultures will be considered. A course may also count for the global perspectives or ethnic studies requirement if it has that designation.
Major Requirements
Students must complete 45 credits of studio art, including the specific requirements below. At least 15 upper-level studio credits must be taken in residence on the UW–Madison campus. Upper-level classes include Art courses numbered 214 and above, excluding ART 236 and ART 338.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 102 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 104 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 212 | Drawing Methods & Concepts | 3 |
| ART 222 | Introduction to Painting | 3-4 |
| ART 306 | Relief Printmaking | 3-4 |
| or ART 336 | Serigraphy | |
| ART 214 | Sculpture I | 3-4 |
| or ART 244 | Art Metal I | |
| ART 224 | Ceramics I | 4 |
| Digital Media Elective - select one of the following: | ||
| Digital Photography for Non-Art Majors | ||
| Digital Art and Code | ||
| Basic Graphic Design | ||
| Introduction to Digital Printmaking | ||
| Digital Fabrication Studio | ||
| Digital Imaging Studio | ||
| Special Topics (digital media topics only) | ||
| Take additional art electives to reach the minimum of 45 credits | ||
Professional Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of the Profession | 3 | |
| ED POL/HISTORY 412 | History of American Education 1 | 3 |
| or ED POL 300 | School and Society | |
| RP & SE 605 | Development, Learning and Education Foundations in Special Education | 3 |
| Literacy, Including Reading | 3 | |
| CURRIC 305 | Integrating the Teaching of Reading with Other Language Arts | 3 |
| Special Education | 3 | |
| Strategies for Inclusive Schooling | ||
- 1
Will also fulfill the liberal studies requirement in U.S./European history.
Art Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART ED 321 | Introduction to Teaching Art | 2 |
| ART ED 323 | Foundations in Art Education | 3 |
| ART ED 324 | Methods in Art Education | 3 |
| ART ED 327 | Practicum in Art Education | 6 |
| ART ED 425 | Seminar in Art Education | 2 |
| ART ED 423 | Student Teaching in Elementary Art 1 | 5 |
| ART ED 424 | Student Teaching in Secondary Art 1 | 5 |
- 1
Must have a minimum 2.75 GPA in Professional Education and Art Education courses to student teach.
GPA and Other Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
Requirements are based on UW–Madison coursework.
- 2.75 minimum cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
- 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all major course work.
- 2.75 cumulative grade point average in all upper-level major course work. Art courses numbered 214 and above, excluding ART 236 and ART 338, are considered upper-level courses.
- 2.75 in professional education course work (excluding practicum and student teaching).
- Major Residency. Students must complete a minimum of 15 upper-level studio credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
- Senior Residency. Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus, excluding retroactive credits and credits granted by examination.
- A minimum of 120 total credits.
Degree Audit (DARS)
UW–Madison uses “DARS” to document a student's progress toward the completion of their degree, including any additional majors and certificates. A DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System) report shows all the requirements for completing a degree and, against courses that are planned or completed, shows the requirements that have been met, and those that are unmet. A report can offer suggestions about courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements and can assist in the academic planning and enrollment process. Students can access a DARS report in the Course Search & Enroll app or Student Center via My UW.
DARS also has a "what-if" function. This feature makes it possible to request a DARS report as if pursuing another program, major, or certificate. It is an excellent tool if considering a new or additional area of study. School of Education students in a pre-professional classification such as Pre-Elementary (PRE) or Pre-Kinesiology should request a "what if" DARS report of their professional program of interest.
More information on how to request a DARS report is available on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisors. It creates more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students.
DARS is used as the document of record for degree program, major, and certificate completion in the School of Education.
Additional Certification Requirements and Applying for a License
In addition to completing UW–Madison's program requirements, students must also complete Wisconsin statutory requirements and certification requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Many of these requirements are embedded within the program's requirements and require no additional attention. The endorsement of the program coordinator/faculty is also required to receive certification through UW–Madison.
The State of Wisconsin requires that anyone wishing to teach in a public K–12 setting hold a valid teaching license issued through the Department of Public Instruction. In addition to completing a certification program, students must submit a separate application for this license.
Detailed information about certification requirements and applying for a license is available under Certification/Licensure.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and explore important eras, developments, movements, and theories in historical and contemporary art practice.
- Identify and analyze the elements and principles of design in the work of other artists and consistently and effectively employ the elements and principles in their own studio work.
- Develop technical skill, a personal creative practice, and knowledge of the historical and current practices of at least four separate visual art disciplines, including 2D, 3D, 4D, and graphics areas.
- Examine best practices (historical and contemporary) in art curriculum planning, instruction and assessment, apply knowledge to k-12 curriculum development, and effectively teach art to diverse populations in community and school-based settings.
- Meet all School of Education Teacher Education Standards and DPI k-12 art licensure requirements (including child development and learning theories, history of American Education, and the role of art in literacy education).
Four-Year Plan
Bachelor of Science: Art Education - Sample Four-Year Plan
This four-year sample graduation plan is designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; it does not establish a contractual agreement. Use it along with your DARS report, the Guide, and the Course Search and Enroll app to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with an academic advisor(s) to develop a personalized plan of study and refer to the Guide for a complete list of requirements. You will likely revise your plan several times during your academic career here, based on your activities and changing academic interests.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A or Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 | Communication A or Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 |
| ART 108 | 3 | ART 208 | 3 |
| ART 102 | 3 | ART 104 | 3 |
| ART 212 | 3 | ART 107 | 3 |
| Global Perspectives or Ethnic Studies also meeting Social Studies | 3 | POLI SCI 104 | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Aesthetic Elective also meeting Ethnic Studies or Global Perspectives (whatever requirement is still unmet) | 3-4 | ART HIST 202 | 4 |
| ART 214 or 244 | 4 | ART 306 or 336 | 4 |
| ART 222 | 4 | ART ED 321 (spring only) | 2 |
| Liberal Studies Literature course | 3 | Digital Media Elective | 4 |
| Liberal Studies Science course (One Science course must be Biological, and one Physical) | 3 | ||
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ART 224 | 4 | Studio Elective | 4 |
| Liberal Studies Science also meeting Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Studio Elective | 4 |
| RP & SE 605 | 3 | ART 508 | 1 |
| CURRIC 305 (also meets Communication B) | 3 | ED POL/HISTORY 412 (also meets U.S./European History) | 3 |
| Studio Electives to reach the minimum of 45 credits | 4 | Liberal Studies Science with lab | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ART ED 323 (fall only) | 3 | ART ED 423 (spring only) | 5 |
| ART ED 324 (fall only) | 3 | ART ED 424 (spring only) | 5 |
| ART ED 327 (fall only) | 6 | ART ED 425 (spring only) | 2 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 121 | |||
Advising and Careers
Art Education Advising
Prospective off-campus and on-campus art education students will meet with the art education program coordinator Dr. Mary Hoefferle, 6241 Humanities Building, 455 North Park Street, hoefferle@wisc.edu. Students considering art education should contact Dr. Hoefferle as soon as possible. Pre-declaration advising is conducted by the Department of Art and advisors in the School of Education Student Services office, see below.
The undergraduate art program advisors are located at 6241 Humanities Building, 455 North Park Street. Current students can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Appointments can also be made by calling 608-262-1660.
School of Education Advising
Academic Advising in the School of Education
Dedicated to supporting and promoting student success, academic advisors are here to assist students with the adjustment to college, understanding their degree and career goals, and connecting them to resources. Advisors support prospective and current School of Education students in all programs through:
- Course selection
- Mentoring and advocacy for underrepresented and international students
- Understanding degree requirements and progression
- Interpreting academic policies
- Helping students recognize their strengths and suggesting ways to expand their skills
- Expanding learning through activities such as study abroad, volunteering/work/internship, and by assuming leadership roles
To schedule an appointment: Current students can schedule an appointment online through the Starfish app in MyUW. Appointments can also be made through email at studentservices@education.wisc.edu, by calling 608-262-1651, or in person.
Career Advising in the School of Education
Through individual appointments, events, courses, and online resources, the Career Center provides students and alumni with the tools needed to be successful in their career development.
Career and Internship Advisors are prepared to help students with:
- Exploration of career and academic pathways
- Resumes
- Cover letters
- Job/Internship search
- Interview preparation
- Mock interviews
- Graduate school search, applications and decisions
- Negotiating job or internship offers
- Professional networking
- Connecting with employers
Students are encouraged to meet with their Career and Internship Advisor early in their college experience to take full advantage of the resources and support available.
To make an appointment: log into Starfish from the MyUW dashboard.
For more information, visit the School of Education Career Center website or reach out at career-center@education.wisc.edu.
People
Information about faculty, staff, and other contributors to the Department of Art can be found on the department's website.
Wisconsin Experience
UW–Madison’s vision for the total student experience, the Wisconsin Experience, combines learning in and out of the classroom. Tied to the Wisconsin Idea and steeped in long-standing institutional values — the commitment to the truth, shared participation in decision-making, and service to local and global communities — the Wisconsin Experience describes how students develop and integrate these core values across their educational experience.
UW–Madison encourages students to mindfully engage in four core concepts throughout their time on campus: Empathy & Humility, Relentless Curiosity, Intellectual Confidence, and Purposeful Action.
Since its inception, the School of Education has embraced the concepts of the Wisconsin Experience, providing opportunities for students to learn in venues beyond the traditional classroom. Our students also independently seek out related activities and experiences, thus creating their own unique Wisconsin Experience.
Art Education and the Wisconsin Experience
Teaching Art
As part of required courses, art education students teach art to children and teens in school and community-based settings in every semester of the program. Some of our most recent partners include:
- The Art Zone at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
- Monroe Street Arts Center
- Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) art clubs
- Fieldwork experiences in private schools like Edgewood, Wingra, Eagle and Madison Country Day, and public schools in rural, suburban, and urban districts.
Learning from Current Practitioners
In all field placements, art education majors receive support, guidance and advice from veteran art teachers and university supervisors. Many art teachers with specific expertise also join us on campus to lead special-topic workshops such as Adaptive Art, Elementary Classroom Management, and mental health in the art classroom.
Paid Work Experience
Art education majors also find valuable, paid work experience in the community as teaching assistants or lead art instructors in organizations like the Wheelhouse Studios, the Chazen Museum of Art, Madison School and Community Recreation, Prairie Music & Arts, and provide one-to-one art tutoring.
Student Organizations
Art education majors join a wide variety of student organizations on campus. Art-related organizations include the Mad Gaffers (glass blowing), Fresh Hot Press (printmakers), and the Chazen Art Museum Ambassadors. Aspiring Educators of Wisconsin is an active organization for pre-service teachers in all areas of education.
Exhibiting Artwork
Art education majors also have ample opportunity to submit their artwork for consideration for art exhibitions, scholarships and competitions.
Certification/Licensure
Additional Certification Requirements
Students interested in certification must, in addition to completing UW–Madison's program requirements, also complete Wisconsin statutory requirements related to teacher education and certification requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Students must complete all requirements and also obtain the endorsement of the program faculty to receive certification through UW–Madison. For additional certification requirements and information about applying for a license, see the Teacher Education Center.
Applying for a Teaching License
The State of Wisconsin requires that anyone wishing to teach in a public K–12 setting hold a valid teaching license issued through the Department of Public Instruction. In addition to completing a certification program, students must submit a separate application for this license. Students intending to complete a teacher certification program should monitor program requirements carefully. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) periodically implements regulations that affect all certification programs; teacher certification candidates are responsible for having up-to-date information about certification requirements.
Licensing Levels
The following licensing options will be offered at UW–Madison.
- The core Elementary Education licensing level will be Kindergarten through Grade 9. Early Childhood, and English as a Second Language Kindergarten through Grade 12, can be added to the K-9 option.
- Special Education will offer licensing at the Early Childhood level, Kindergarten through Grade 12 level, and a program option that licenses in both Early Childhood Special Education and K-12 Special Education. The new Elementary Education and Special Education degree certifies students in both Special Education Kindergarten through Grade 12 and Elementary Education Kindergarten through Grade 9.
- Secondary Education program areas will license in their subject area Grades 4 through 12, and also in English as a Second Language Kindergarten through Grade 12.
- World Language Education program areas will license at the Kindergarten through Grade 12 level.
- Students in special fields such as Art, Music, and Physical Education will be licensed at the Kindergarten through Grade 12 level
- Health and Library Media Specialist both license at the Kindergarten through Grade 12 level.
- Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) will license at the K-12 level.
Wisconsin State Licensing
The State of Wisconsin issues an initial teaching license to certified teachers. The current fee is $125. An online license application is available through the Department of Public Instruction. A background check will also be conducted by DPI. Information about fingerprint submission, when necessary, is available through the Department of Public Instruction.
Before applying for a license, DPI requires the electronic submission of “Endorsed Candidate for Licensure" (ECL) data by the certifying officer of the institution where the teacher preparation was completed. For UW–Madison teacher certification students, the endorsement will come from the School of Education, L139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall. Once this information has been submitted to DPI, students are notified by email that they may begin the application online.
Before endorsing a student, UW–Madison requires that
- all certification requirements are met;
- student teaching (following the school district calendar) is completed;
- final grades are posted and reviewed;
- the degree is posted by the Registrar’s Office (which can take up to four to six weeks after the degree conferral date); and
- a recommendation for certification is received from the program faculty.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction may require an additional six to eight weeks for license processing.
Licensing Outside of Wisconsin
To apply for a license in a state other than Wisconsin, first check out the application requirements of that state. The University of Kentucky has a website that provides links to teacher licensing agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Many states have a verification form that needs to be signed by a UW–Madison certification officer. This form verifies that a state-approved licensing program has been completed. These forms should be sent to the School of Education Teacher Education Center at L139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706, or by email (educatorlicensing@education.wisc.edu) to be completed. You must complete your personal information on the form before sending it to the Teacher Education Center. If the form requests information about practicum and student teaching assignments (names of schools, grade levels, dates, etc.), this information must also be completed before sending the form to the Teacher Education Center.
Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)
The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.
Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.
UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.
The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin
The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:
Not applicable
Updated: 1 June 2024
Resources and Scholarships
Information about scholarships, academic and career advising, study abroad opportunities, student diversity services, and other resources for students in the School of Education can be found on the school's Resources page.