The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is one of the premier research and teaching departments devoted to understanding the complex world of teaching, learning, curriculum, and policy. Faculty pursue a diverse array of research combining experience in schools with expertise drawn from a range of disciplinary fields. This world-class research is the foundation of its work preparing future teachers and the next generation of educational researchers.

Undergraduate degree programs offered by the department include Elementary Education and Communication Sciences and Disorders. Students admitted to Elementary Education can pursue one of five dynamic certification options:

• Kindergarten through Ninth Grade - Students completing this core program option will be certified to teach general education at the grade levels of K-9 and will also be eligible to teach in a 4K classroom. 
• English as a Second Language (ESL) K-12 and Kindergarten through Ninth Grade  - A minor in English as a Second Language can be added to the core K-9 program. Students selecting this combination will be certified to teach general education at the grade levels of K-9 (including eligibility for 4K) and English as a Second Language in grades K-12.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Kindergarten through Ninth Grade - A minor in Early Childhood can be added to the core K-9 program. Students selecting this combination will be certified to teach general education at the grade levels of K-9 (including eligibility for 4K) and in Early Childhood Education (approximately birth through age 8).
• Kindergarten through Ninth Grade, and Early Childhood Education, and English as a Second Language K-12  - Students may opt to complete both the ECE and ESL minors in combination with K-9 certification. Successful students receive certification in all three areas: general education in grades K-9 (including eligibility for 4K), Early Childhood Education, and English as a Second Language in grades K-12.
• Kindergarten through Ninth Grade and Special Education K-12 (Dual Certification & Major) - Students completing this option successfully are double majors in Elementary Education and Special Education. Students are certified in general education at the grade levels of K-9 (including eligibility for 4K), and Special Education in grades K-12.

Two new certificate programs, Arts and Teaching and Preparing to Teach Abroad, have recently been developed and may be completed by undergraduates across the campus.

Undergraduate programs are offered in the areas listed below. Upon successful completion of a program leading to certification, candidates are certified in their respective subject and grade level and become eligible for a Wisconsin teaching license obtained through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Note: Students at UW–Madison become certified to teach secondary English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies only through graduate-level coursework, not as undergraduates. Information about the Master's degree program is available at uwteach.org and the Curriculum and Instruction website.

The World Language Education Program (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish) was suspended in the fall of 2020 and will be discontinued at the undergraduate level. A new, graduate-level program in World Language Education is under development and will provide teacher certification in these languages.

Information about faculty, staff, and other contributors to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction can be found on the department's website.

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.