http://www.uww.edu/coeps/
Lana Collet-Klingenberg, Interim Dean
Andrea Ednie, Interim Associate Dean
Kelli Danielski, Assistant Dean for Student Success
Steven Fischer, Advising Coordinator
262-472-1101
education@uww.edu
Mission Statement
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's College of Education and Professional Studies is committed to the development of professionals who are lifelong learners, creators of knowledge, and leaders of character and integrity. Responding to the changing needs within our global society, our programs prepare professionals to actively engage in an open democratic society inclusive of diverse populations. As a premier center for global learning, the College's focus on depth of learning and academic excellence provides our students with the requisites to be leaders dedicated to change in their communities.
Overview
The College of Education and Professional Studies (COEPS) prepares the largest number of first-licensed teachers in Wisconsin among 33 institutions. More than 2,200 students are enrolled in seven departments: Communication Sciences & Disorders; Counselor Education; Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Foundations; Kinesiology; Leadership, Military Science and Aerospace Studies; and Special Education. COEPS offers nine graduate degree programs and eight post-baccalaureate certificate programs, many of which have online options as well as opportunities for add-on licensure or professional specializations.
Within the College, there are close to 100 faculty and academic staff members of which more than 90% have earned doctorates. In addition to teaching and research obligations, faculty and staff are actively involved in professional and specialty organizations. Many hold regional, state, national and international offices and serve on professional committees and advisory boards.
Degree Requirements
Students may earn a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE), a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Science (BS) from the College of Education and Professional Studies. To graduate from the College of Education and Professional Studies, students must complete a minimum of 120 units including coursework to satisfy General Education Requirements, College Degree, unique requirements, and major and minor requirements. Students must have at least a combined GPA of 2.75 in a BSE licensure major. Students must have at least a combined GPA of 2.25 in a BSE non-licensure major, BA or BS.
Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) - In addition to University Requirements, students seeking a BSE in a licensure field must complete endorsement requirements in order to obtain a teaching license:
Endorsement Requirements: Upon completion of an approved Professional Education program and a bachelor's degree, students will be eligible for endorsement for initial teacher licensure when they meet the following requirements:
- Completion of an approved major (and minor if required).
- Successful completion of a Directed Teaching experience at UW-Whitewater.
- Students must have a combined cumulative 2.75 GPA.
- A passing score on the Foundations of Reading Test for applicable programs required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
- Content GPA of 3.0 or a passing score on a standardized examination in each licensure major and minor content area (determined by program) required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - In addition to University Requirements, students must complete the following BA requirements:
Students must complete at least 6 units GA, GE, GG, GH, or GS above the minimum general education university requirements.
Bachelor of Science (BS) - In addition to University Requirements, students must complete the following BS requirements:
Students must complete at least 6 units in natural sciences/mathematics or social science courses designated GL, GM, GN, GQ or GS above the minimum general education university requirements.
Education Major Changes
The College of Education and Professional Studies, in collaboration with the Admission's Office, has restricted students from transferring to UW-Whitewater and declaring an education major UNLESS the appropriate GPA or Qualifying Test scores for their desired major has been met.
Students transferring with:
Blank 4 Column | | | | |
| Credits | Information | | |
| 1 - 23 credits | May transfer with any grade point and be allowed to declare education as their major. | | |
| 24 - 71 credits | Must have obtained a minimum 2.50 GPA OR Qualifying Test Scores to be allowed to declare education as a major. | | |
| 72 + credits | Must have obtained a minimum 2.75 GPA OR Qualifying Test Scores to be allowed to declare education as a major. | | |
To be eligible for a change of major, the following GPAs must be met before the change of major form will be approved:
For all undergraduate licensure programs:
Blank 4 Column | | | | |
| Credits | Infomation | | |
| 1 - 23 credits | Any grade point is acceptable to declare education as a major. | | |
| 24 - 71 credits | Must have obtained a minimum 2.50 GPA OR Qualifying Test Scores to be allowed to declare education as a major. | | |
| 72 + credits | Must have obtained a minimum 2.75 GPA OR Qualifying Test Scores to be allowed to declare education as a major. | | |
Health, Human Performance and Recreation:
Blank 4 Column | | | | |
| Credits | Information | | |
| 0 - 23 credits | No GPA limit to declare Health, Human Performance and Recreation major. | | |
| 24 + credits | Must have obtained 2.25 GPA to declare Health, Human Performance and Recreation major. | | |
Communication Sciences & Disorders (non-licensure at undergraduate level):
Blank 4 Column | | | | |
| Credits | Information | | |
| 0 - 23 credits | No GPA limit to declare Communication Sciences & Disorders major. | | |
| 24 - 71 credits | Must have obtained a 2.25 GPA to declare Communication Sciences & Disorders major. | | |
| 72 + credits | Must have obtained a 2.50 GPA to declare Communication Sciences & Disorders major. | | |
Student Organizations
ACTIVE promotes career and professional development opportunities for students interested in health, physical education, human performance, recreation, coaching, sport and related fields.
Aspiring Educators is an organization open to students who are considering becoming future educators. Aspiring Educators is a branch of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) and National Education Association (NEA) which will provide students with valuable opportunities to network with teachers and professionals in the education community.
Best Buddies is a university-sponsored organization that organizes and creates one-to-one relationships with adults with intellectual disabilities in the community. Students participate in activities with their buddy once a month.
Creative and Resourceful Educators (CARE) is the student branch of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Membership is open to any student interested in early childhood education. The group’s primary concern is the welfare and education of children.
The National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) is the national organization for Master’s candidates and undergraduate students interested in the study of normal and disordered human communication behavior. NSSLHA is the only official national student association recognized by the American Speech-language-Hearing Association. NSSLHA membership is presently about 13,000 students with chapters in more than 280 colleges and universities.
Criminal Background Checks
Various programs in the College require Criminal Background Checks. Students will be required to conduct Criminal Background Check using an online service. Students will be responsible for the cost. Criminal Background Checks are required at the point of Admission to Professional Education, and for each clinical experience in licensure programs.
The results of a student’s CBC may preclude student participation in mandatory field experiences, disqualify students for a license, prevent service or employment in a student’s chosen field, prevent a student from completing the chosen degree plan, or from other program participation.
Admission to Professional Education
All licensure programs, EXCEPT Early Childhood Education
Students must achieve a combined GPA of at least 2.75 to apply for admission to Professional Education. Combined GPA is calculated from all graded UW-Whitewater coursework and all transferable units earned from regionally accredited post-secondary institutions at the undergraduate and graduate level.
OR
Meet the Testing Requirement
Students must earn Wisconsin passing scores on all parts of the Praxis CORE (or PPST/Praxis I), ACT, SAT, or GRE.
*Prior to receiving a Wisconsin teaching license, teacher candidates must achieve a Combined Cumulative GPA of 2.75.
AND
- Complete a minimum of 40 units at time of application
- Pass COMM 110
- with a "C"/"S" or better or be **concurrently enrolled
- Possible waivers or substitutions must be on official forms and signed by the Communication Department Chair for typical undergraduates or by the Licensure Coordinator for those who hold a bachelor's degree.
- Pass ENGLISH 102
- with a "C"/"S" or better or be **concurrently enrolled
- Possible waivers or substitutions must be on official forms and signed by the Communication Department Chair for typical undergraduates or by the Licensure Coordinator for those who hold a bachelor's degree.
- Pass each course of the Foundations Block (EDFNDPRC 210 and EDFOUND 243 and (EDFOUND 222 or EDFOUND 212))
- with a "C"/"S" or better or be **concurrently enrolled
- Possible waivers or substitutions must be on official forms and signed by the Educational Foundations Department Chair for typical undergraduates or by the Licensure Coordinator for those who hold a bachelor's degree.
- Complete the Phase 2 portfolio evaluation by taking
- All three courses within the Foundations Block at UW-Whitewater, OR
- If the “Introduction to Education and Teaching” (EDFNDPRC 210) course of the Foundations Block is transferred in from another institution, students MUST take and pass the 1-credit “Portfolio Development I” (EDFOUND 214) course with a "C"/"S" or better or be **concurrently enrolled.
Note: Passing the EDFNDPRC 210 “Introduction to Education and Teaching” course does not mean you have passed the Portfolio requirement. Talk to your instructor to determine if you have passed the Portfolio requirement. The "Non-Course Milestones" on your UW-Whitewater unofficial transcript must be updated to show if you passed the portfolio requirement.
**Concurrent enrollment means that students are currently taking the course(s) during the semester in which they submit an application for Admission to Professional Education, not pre-registered to take the course(s) in a future semester.
For more information, please visit Admission to Professional Education.
Early Childhood Education (dual license) Program
Early Childhood Education (dual license) is a competitive application process with a minimum combined cumulative 2.75 GPA due to the unique cohort model. This Program does NOT guarantee admission. Students may apply with the minimum combined cumulative GPA; however, the Program is highly competitive:
Students must achieve a combined GPA of at least 2.75 to apply for admission to Professional Education. Combined GPA is calculated from all graded UW-Whitewater coursework and all transferable units earned from regionally accredited post-secondary institutions at the undergraduate and graduate level.
OR
Meet the Testing Requirement
Students must earn Wisconsin passing scores on all parts of the Praxis CORE (or PPST/Praxis I), ACT, SAT, or GRE.
AND
- Complete a minimum of 30 units at time of application
- Pass EDUINDP 211, EARLYCHD 212, and EDUINDP 213
- With a “C” or better or be concurrently enrolled
- Concurrent enrollment means that students are currently taking the course(s) during the semester in which they submit an application for Admission to Professional Education, not pre-registered to take the course(s) in a future semester.
Endorsement Requirements
Upon successful completion of an approved licensure program, students are eligible for endorsement for teacher licensure(s). Requirements include:
- Completion of an approved major or major equivalent (for post-bac students seeking initial license)
- Cumulative 2.75 GPA across all post-secondary credits.
- For those seeking Early Childhood, Elementary-Middle, or Special Education, a passing score on the Foundations of Reading Test or successful completion of the Foundations of Reading Test Alternative (special education majors only).
- Content GPA of 3.0, except for English, Science and Social Studies, which require passing the subject area Praxis II exam.
Teacher Licensure Requirements
The College of Education and Professional Studies requires all students seeking endorsement by the Licensure Officer of the College of Education and Professional Studies for Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction licensure to complete the following licensure requirements:
Pre-Student Teaching Clinical Experiences
Each student, under the supervision of host school cooperating teachers and university supervisors, shall complete a at least two pre-student teaching experiences working directly with pupils within a school settings representing the developmental scope and sequence of their licensure area(s). Students are responsible for a criminal background check prior to each clinical placement, and their own transportation to the host school sites.
Student Teaching
All students seeking initial endorsement for licensure must complete a full day, full term experience following the daily schedule and term of the host school (not the university term). The procedures for determining if a student has met the requirements for Student Teaching occur during the semester prior to the student's assigned placement. Transfer students who seek endorsement from UW-Whitewater must complete at least 15 credits of academic work at UW-Whitewater prior to Directed Teaching. Students are placed in schools located within the service area of the College of Education and Professional Studies. Placements are made by the university on the basis of quality and other programmatic considerations. Students are responsible for their own transportation and housing arrangements during Student Teaching.
Admission to Student Teaching
Admission to Student Teaching is restricted to students who have been admitted to Professional Education and who have met the criteria below in addition to requirements as identified by the program.
- Attendance at required student teaching orientation meeting (Student Teaching Orientation Dates).
- Submission of Student Teaching Placement Form to the Office of Clinical Experiences by the announced deadline date.
- Completion of a Criminal Background Check by the announced deadline date.
- Submission of a negative Tuberculosis test result to the Office of Clinical Experiences (skin test or x-ray) by the announced deadline date.
- 2.75 combined cumulative grade point average.
- Passing score on Praxis II subject assessment test OR a content GPA of 3.0 or above by the announced deadline date.
- An attempt of the Foundations of Reading Test for the Early Childhood, Elementary-Middle, and Special Education programs by the announced deadline date (students in Special Education may choose to either take the exam or complete the department’s approved FORT-alternative).
