Requirements
The core program in Elementary Education requires 60 credits of professional coursework in addition to other degree requirements. Students are certified to teach kindergarten through grade 9 (K-9) and can also teach at the 4K level.
The option coursework listed here is one component of the Elementary Education, BSE degree requirements.
Professional Sequence
The professional coursework was designed to be completed in four semesters, starting in the fall after admission to the program. Each semester of the sequence must be followed sequentially and taken in consecutive semesters unless a modification is approved. Most classes must be taken during specified semesters, while the scheduling of other requirements is more flexible; some may be completed prior to beginning the sequence.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| CURRIC 312 | Foundations of ESL Education | 3 |
| CURRIC 319 | Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary Mathematics 1 1 | 3 |
| CURRIC 339 | Cultural Foundations of Learning and Development 1 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 406 | Race, Intersectionality, and Equity in Education 1 | 3 |
| ED POL 300 | School and Society 2 | 3 |
| or ED POL/HISTORY 412 | History of American Education | |
| Required Program Elective 1 2 | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CURRIC 318 | Teaching Reading and Writing | 3 |
| CURRIC 320 | Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Elementary Mathematics 2 1 | 3 |
| CURRIC 372 | Teaching Science | 3 |
| CURRIC 550 | Methods, Materials and Activities in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| CURRIC 340 | Elementary Education Practicum I | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| CURRIC 370 | Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
| CURRIC 371 | Teaching Social Studies | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | Strategies for Inclusive Schooling | 3 |
| CURRIC 367 | Elementary Education Practicum II | 3 |
| Required Program Elective 2 2 | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| CURRIC 463 | Seminar in Elementary Education | 2 |
| CURRIC 464 | Student Teaching in the Elementary School | 10 |
| or CURRIC 454 | Student Teaching in the Middle School | |
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
- 2
May be taken any time before semester 4 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission. Enrollment in either ED POL 300 or ED POL/HISTORY 412 can follow this schedule.
Elective Courses
The professional sequence includes 6 credits selected from the following options. Additional courses that expand a student's skill set or further a student's knowledge as a future teacher may also be considered to meet this requirement. Contact the Elementary Education Program Manager for approval prior to enrolling in additional courses. The frequency in which the listed courses are offered can vary based on teaching schedules as well as student interest.
Elective Course Options
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART ED 321 | Introduction to Teaching Art | 2 |
| COMP SCI 402 | Introducing Computer Science to K-12 Students | 2 |
| CURRIC 209 | Digital Media and Literacy | 3 |
| CURRIC 277 | Videogames & Learning | 3 |
| CURRIC/MUSIC 300 | Principles of Music Education | 2 |
| CURRIC 305 | Integrating the Teaching of Reading with Other Language Arts | 3 |
| CURRIC/CHICLA 306 | Latinx Literacies | 3 |
| CURRIC 309 | Reading and Writing Across the Content Areas | 3 |
| CURRIC 311 | Language Acquisition for Multilingual Learners | 3 |
| CURRIC 314 | Becoming Literate in and out of Schools | 3 |
| CURRIC 315 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum in Early Childhood | 3 |
| CURRIC 316 | ESL/Bilingual Methods | 3 |
| CURRIC 317 | Dimensions of Literacy | 3 |
| CURRIC/CHICLA 321 | Chicano/Latino Educational Justice | 3 |
| CURRIC 328 | Arts Integration for Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| CURRIC 331 | Taking Education Outside of School | 3 |
| CURRIC 338 | Linguistics for Teachers | 3 |
| CURRIC 357 | Game Design I | 3 |
| CURRIC/SLAVIC/THEATRE 362 | Drama for Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| CURRIC 368 | The Teaching of Reading | 3 |
| CURRIC 369 | The Teaching of Language Arts | 3 |
| CURRIC/C&E SOC/ENVIR ST 405 | Education for Sustainable Communities | 3 |
| CURRIC 432 | Game Design II | 3 |
| CURRIC 500 | Literacy and Language Development | 3 |
| CURRIC 504 | Literacy Assessment and Intervention | 3 |
| CURRIC/ED POL/HISTORY/JEWISH 515 | Holocaust: History, Memory and Education | 3 |
| CURRIC/ED POL/RELIG ST 516 | Religion and Public Education | 3 |
| CURRIC/THEATRE 525 | Theatre in Education | 3-4 |
| CURRIC 632 | Literature and Literacy | 3 |
| CURRIC 660 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 2-3 |
| CURRIC 663 | Learning Environments for Initial Education Programs | 3 |
| ED POL 300 | School and Society | 3 |
| ED POL/HISTORY 412 | History of American Education | 3 |
| KINES 325 | Group Development and Behavior Management | 3 |
| L I S 622 | Childrens Literature | 3 |
| RP & SE 300 | Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
Content Area Minor (Optional Requirement)
Students may elect to complete a minor in one of the following content areas. Minors provide a depth of study in a particular area of interest and also inform classroom instruction. Upon completion, the minor will be posted on the UW-Madison transcript, but students will not receive an additional certification in the subject area. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction no longer offers content licenses in association with the K-9 educator license.
The completion of a minor is required to teach middle school licensing in some states and may benefit students particularly interested in teaching at this level. Choose from the links below for more details about the requirements of each minor.
Minor Options
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Economics
- English
- English Language Arts
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Science Dual
- Mathematics Specialized
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Science Specialized
- Social Studies
- Sociology
Additional Certification Options in Elementary Education
Students interested in Early Childhood Education (birth-Grade 3) and/or English as a Second Language (grades K-12) may earn certification in these areas along with the completion of the K-9 program. It is also possible to combine K-9 Elementary Education with K-12 Special Education certification through the completion of this named option.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification minor requires an additional 6 credits of required coursework, CURRIC 660 Foundations of Early Childhood Education, CURRIC 663 Learning Environments for Initial Education Programs, and only 3 credits of K-9 electives for a total of 63 credits. The K-9 professional sequence listed above will be modified to accommodate the ECE minor; see the ECE/K-9 Four Year Plan for this sequence.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) certification minor requires an additional 9 credits of required coursework, CURRIC 311 Language Acquisition for Multilingual Learners, CURRIC 338 Linguistics for Teachers, CURRIC 316 ESL/Bilingual Methods, and only 3 credits of K-9 electives for a total of 66 credits. The K-9 professional sequence listed above will be modified to accommodate the ESL minor; see the ESL/K-9 Four Year Plan for this sequence.
Certification in both Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language requires the completion of the five additional required ECE and ESL courses listed above. These courses will fulfill the entire K-9 electives requirement for a total of 69 credits. The K-9 professional sequence listed above will be modified to accommodate both minors; see the ECE/ESL/K-9 Four Year Plan for this sequence.
Certification in both K-9 Elementary Education and K-12 Special Education requires the completion of the Kindergarten - 9th Grade/Special Education Kindergarten - 12th Grade Dual Certification named option; 70 credits are required.
Four-Year Plan
Elementary Education: Sample Four-Year Plans
These sample four-year graduation plans reflect the certification options available to students completing a degree in Elementary Education. A plan is included for:
- Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certification
- Early Childhood Education/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
- English as a Second Language/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
- English as a Second Language/Early Childhood Education/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
- Special Education Kindergarten - Grade 12/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
Four-year plans are designed to guide your course selection throughout your academic career; they do not establish a contractual agreement. Use them along with your DARS report and Course Search and Enroll to create a four-year plan reflecting your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests. Consult with an academic advisor 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.
Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certification
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 12-15 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | ||
| Liberal Studies course work | 6-9 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 15 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 7 | ||
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 5 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 312 | 3 | CURRIC 318 (Also meets Communication B) | 3 |
| CURRIC 3191 | 3 | CURRIC 3201 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3391 | 3 | CURRIC 372 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 4061 | 3 | CURRIC 550 | 3 |
| ED POL 300 or 412 (412 also meets U.S./European History)2 | 3 | CURRIC 340 | 3 |
| Required Program Elective 1 2 | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 370 | 3 | CURRIC 463 | 2 |
| CURRIC 371 | 3 | CURRIC 454 or 464 | 10 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 367 | 3 | ||
| Required Program Elective 22 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
- 2
May be taken any time before semester 4 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission. Enrollment in either ED POL 300 or ED POL/HISTORY 412 can follow this schedule.
A minimum of 120 credits is still required to complete the degree.
Early Childhood Education/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 9-12 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | ||
| Liberal Studies course work | 6-9 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 15 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 10 | ||
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 312 | 3 | CURRIC 318 (Also meets Communication B) | 3 |
| CURRIC 3191 | 3 | CURRIC 3201 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3391 | 3 | CURRIC 372 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 4061 | 3 | CURRIC 550 | 3 |
| CURRIC 6601 | 3 | CURRIC 340 | 3 |
| ED POL 300 or 412 (412 also meets U.S./European History)2 | 3 | Required Program Elective 2 | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 370 | 3 | CURRIC 463 | 2 |
| CURRIC 371 | 3 | CURRIC 464 or 468 | 10 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 6632 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 367 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
- 2
May be taken any time before semester 4 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission. Enrollment in either ED POL 300 or ED POL/HISTORY 412 can follow this schedule.
A minimum of 120 credits is still required to complete the degree.
English as a Second Language/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 9-12 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | ||
| Liberal Studies course work | 6-9 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 12 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 7 | ||
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 5 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 311 | 3 | CURRIC 318 (Also meets Communication B) | 3 |
| CURRIC 312 | 3 | CURRIC 3201 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3191 | 3 | CURRIC 338 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3391 | 3 | CURRIC 372 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 4061 | 3 | CURRIC 550 | 3 |
| ED POL 300 or 412 (412 also meets U.S./European History)2 | 3 | CURRIC 340 | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 316 | 3 | CURRIC 463 | 2 |
| CURRIC 370 | 3 | CURRIC 454 or 464 | 10 |
| CURRIC 371 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 367 | 3 | ||
| Professional Program Elective2 | 3 | ||
| 18 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
- 2
May be taken before semester 4 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission. Enrollment in either ED POL 300 or ED POL/HISTORY 412 can follow this schedule.
A minimum of 120 credits is still required to complete the degree.
Early Childhood Education/English as a Second Language/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 9-12 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | |||
| Liberal Studies course work | 6-9 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 12 |
| Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 9 | ||
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 311 | 3 | CURRIC 318 (also meets Communication B) | 3 |
| CURRIC 312 | 3 | CURRIC 3201 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3191 | 3 | CURRIC 338 | 3 |
| CURRIC 3391 | 3 | CURRIC 550 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 4061 | 3 | CURRIC 371 | 3 |
| CURRIC 6601 | 3 | CURRIC 340 | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 316 | 3 | CURRIC 463 | 2 |
| CURRIC 370 | 3 | Complete one of: | 10 |
| CURRIC 372 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC/RP & SE 506 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 6632 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 367 | 3 | ED POL 300 or 4122 | 3 |
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
- 2
CURRIC 663 may be taken before semester 4 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission. ED POL 300 and ED POL/HISTORY 412 may be taken at any time, including prior to program admission.
A minimum of 120 credits is still required to complete the degree.
Special Education Kindergarten - Grade 12/Kindergarten - Grade 9 Certifications
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 | Communication A (fall or spring semester) | 3 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 9-12 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3 |
| RP & SE 300 | 3 | ||
| Liberal Studies course work | 5-8 | ||
| 12 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 3 | Liberal Studies course work | 7 |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | Liberal Studies or General Elective course work | 5 |
| Liberal Studies course work | 6 | ||
| 12 | 12 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CURRIC 3191 | 3 | CURRIC 318 (Also meets Communication B) | 3 |
| RP & SE 3301 | 3 | CURRIC 3201 | 3 |
| CURRIC/RP & SE 4061 | 3 | RP & SE 464 | 3 |
| RP & SE 465 | 3 | RP & SE 472 | 3 |
| CURRIC 550 | 3 | RP & SE 473 | 3 |
| RP & SE 6051 | 3 | RP & SE 476 | 3 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| RP & SE/CURRIC 365 | 3 | CURRIC 463 | 1 |
| CURRIC 371 | 3 | CURRIC 464 | 7 |
| CURRIC 372 | 3 | RP & SE 457 | 1 |
| RP & SE 466 | 3 | RP & SE 477 | 7 |
| RP & SE 515 | 3 | ||
| CURRIC 373 | 3 | ||
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- 1
May be taken before semester 1 of the professional sequence, including prior to program admission.
A minimum of 120 credits is still required to complete the degree.