Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Program Resources

Undergraduate students in the College of Education may pursue one of two tracks: teacher licensure or educational studies. All students will participate in Service Learning and field experiences through the College. Information related to students' progress through their chosen program is described below.

Further details and policies are outlined in the program handbook.

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Academic Advising

Academic Advising Syllabus

All first-year students in the College of Education are advised by the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Advising & Student Services. Second year students, depending on their program and major, are typically assigned to a faculty advisor.

In addition to having an advisor in the College of Education, all students will be assigned an advisor in their content major department. Students should plan to consult with BOTH advisors throughout the year and especially during Registration. As in any good relationship, the relationship between advisor and advisee is most effective when both parties share responsibility for its success.

Advisor Responsibilities:
To be available to advisees during regular office hours and by appointment. 
To be knowledgeable about the policies and procedures of the College of Education and the University as a whole. 
To assist advisees to build on their strengths and develop goals and strategies to address areas needing improvement. 
To monitor the progress of advisees toward fulfilling graduation requirements.

Advisee Responsibilities: 
To know who their advisor is and how to contact that person. 
To be knowledgeable about the policies and procedures of the College of Education and the University as a whole. 
To come prepared to advising meetings by bringing records and other personal information. 
To seek assistance whenever questions and/or concerns arise.

Certification for licensure

Both the elementary/ middle and middle/ secondary licensure programs are overseen by Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction

Teacher education programs lead to teacher certification in the following content majors/minors:

Biology (secondary) 
Broadfield Science (elementary) 
Chemistry (secondary) 
Communication Studies 
Economics (secondary) 
English 
French 
German 
History 
Latin 
Mathematics 
Physics (secondary) 
Political Science 
Psychology 
Sociology
Spanish 
Theatre Arts

In addition to the previous majors, the following content areas can be added as a minor or area of certification:

K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education

Details on how to seek certification in other states can be found online and via individual states' websites. 

Declaration of Major

Students typically declare their major during their sophomore year using the Declaration of Major Form in CheckMarq.

Field Request Form

In the semester before enrolling in a field placement, students must complete an online Field Placement Request Form. This form generates your placement for the following semester. Students should complete the required fields and click submit on the bottom. A Field Placement Request Form is required each time you register for a course that includes a field experience. Please get in the habit of submitting your request form as soon as you know you’ll need a placement, even if you haven’t officially registered.

Although students may make requests for certain placements, it is not always possible to honor the request being made. It is also important for students to know that typically field placements are made in urban areas, including Milwaukee Public Schools, other Milwaukee area public districts, Milwaukee area charter schools, and urban Catholic schools. All field placements and student teaching assignments are arranged by the Field Placement Office. Under no circumstances are students permitted to initiate contact with a school to arrange a placement independent of this office.

Any concerns regarding placement should be discussed immediately with the Director of Field Placements & Licensure.

Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Students pursuing K-9 licensure must receive a passing score of 233 or higher on the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test as required by the State of Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction.

Preparation materials such as a practice test and study guide are available.

Kirsten Lathrop created the Foundations of Reading Test Preparation Handbook materials specifically for elementary education students. 

Praxis Subject Tests

The Core Academic Skills for Educators Test, also referred to as the Praxis Core test, assesses basic knowledge in the areas of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. The Core test is required for Education students who do not have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA at the time of Professional Program admission and do not have ACT or SAT scores meeting the state of Wisconsin minimum scores. If the Core test is required, it must be taken before formal admission to the Professional Program. Scores on the Core test must meet the minimum scores as set by the state of Wisconsin.

Safe Environment 

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee requires all volunteers (including students in field placements) to complete the Safe Environment protocol.