Teaching (Code 062-001)

University Requirements

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

College Degree Requirements

University Requirements in Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences

College Requirements for Teacher Education

All candidates for teacher education baccalaureate degrees must also meet the following:

1. Liberal Education requirements in the College of Education and Human Sciences.
2. Grade point requirements:

   Abbreviation

   Abbreviation	Full Title
   Resident	2.75 average
   Total	2.75 average
   Major	2.75 average
   Minor (for certification only)	2.75 average

3. Residency requirements:

   Abbreviation

   Abbreviation	Full Title
   Minimum Total	30 credits
   Senior Year	23 credits
   Major, in upper division courses	12 credits
   Comprehensive Major, in upper division courses	21 credits

4. Criteria and requirements for Professional Programs and for Admission to the Professional Semester.
5. Specific requirements of programs offered in the College of Education and Human Sciences. (See the departmental sections of this catalog.)

Teaching Licensure Requirements - Grades K-12

Program Options B and C

These program options are organized around content majors and education courses and are designed to prepare teachers for 4-12 teaching or for K-12 teaching in selected areas. Each program requires the student to complete:

1. a comprehensive major (at least 60 credits) or a standard major (at least 36 credits) plus one of the following: another standard major (at least 36 credits), or a minor (at least 24 credits), or a certificate (12-18 credits). Students choosing another major or minor may choose from the approved majors and minors listed in the table below. The approved majors and minors lead to additional certification.
2. a professional sequence consisting of teaching methods and related courses.
3. ES 212, ES 313, and ES 314 with a minimum grade of C (not C-) in each course. Student must also earn a C or better in the prescribed methods courses for their major. See list of prescribed methods courses below.

Students are assigned an education academic advisor and a faculty advisor through the content major department.

Option C: Grades K-12

Grades K-12 Licensure

NOTE 1: SEIP 300 (not required of Kinesiology or Music majors).

NOTE 2: ES 441 is not required for Foreign Language majors and minors in the student teaching semester as an earlier elementary level field placement (required by DPI) occurs in ES 437.

NOTE 3: Music Education majors take MUED 318  and MUED 487 or MUED 488 instead of ES 441 and one of ES 445 or ES 470, or ES 440, or ES 446, or ES 475.

Approved Majors and Minors for Option C

(Students must earn a minimum grade of C or above in prescribed methods courses.)

NOTE: Students completing a K-12 comprehensive major or standard major may complete an additional major or minor with licensure at the K-12 level from the list under Option C above.

Admission Requirements

Admission to  Education Programs

Admission to the Major

Formal application to the professional education program must be made by October 1 for spring admission or March 1 for fall admission. In order to submit an application to an Education Program, students must satisfy all of the requirements listed below:

1. Approval by the appropriate department in the College of Education and Human Sciences. See Department of Education for Equity and Justice and Special Education and Inclusive Practices sections of this catalog for criteria to be considered in making these recommendations.
2. Pre-education status.
3. Students must have attained at least Sophomore Status
4. Minimum total GPA of 2.5.  Admission is competitive; thus the minimum GPA does not assure admission to a professional program in education.
5. Met the University Writing Requirement (complete WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120 or the equivalent earning a C or better)
6. Met the University Mathematics requirements (complete one college-level math course earning C or better)
7. Good academic standing.
8. Complete an introductory education course with a field placement (eg.  SEIP 208,  ES 212 or the equivalent) with a grade of C or better.
9. Specific department criteria are found under the Department of Education for Equity and Justice and Special Education and Inclusive Practices Department Overview Pages.

Application Procedure

Students must formally apply to the professional program. The number of students admitted to a program may be limited by resources available and not everyone who applies can be guaranteed admission. See the appropriate section of this catalog for criteria upon which the departmental recommendation will be based. Note that minimum criteria for a department may exceed the minimum criteria listed above.

Students who do not meet all the criteria listed above or who do not receive a favorable departmental recommendation may reapply during a later application period.

Special or Transfer Students

Special students and transfer students who desire to be admitted to a teacher education program should inform the Admissions Office upon application for admission to the University. They should indicate their area of interest and what teaching major they wish to pursue. These students are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Admission to the Teaching Professional Semester (Student Teaching)

Major Requirements

Teaching (Code 062-001)

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate artistic expression through musicianship, technical expertise and skill as appropriate to discipline.
• Create historically and culturally appropriate interpretations through the performance of varied repertoire in collaborative and solo performances as appropriate to discipline. 
• Apply culturally specific analytical techniques and approaches to musical compositions.
• Make comparative written statements about aesthetics and function for multiple compositional styles.
• Demonstrate a diverse and inclusive perspective of music, as well as identify systems of privilege in music.
• Design and teach lessons that facilitate student achievement while acting as a collaborative leader.
• Design instruction that utilizes Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) as a pedagogical approach in the classroom and rehearsal settings.
• Analyze and evaluate written and aural musical representations and performances by using effective musical academic language.
• Analyze and apply the connections of musical expressions to human experience and other fine and healing arts in a culturally relevant and sensitive manner with accessibility for all.

 Music Teaching – Choral Emphasis, Comprehensive Major (B.M.E)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Sample Plan for Fall Student Teaching

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

*

These courses are highly recommended, but not included in the degree requirements

Sample Plan for Spring Student Teaching

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

**

It is highly recommended to take courses that fulfill two LE requirements simultaneously for efficiency, although it is not required. This will reduce credits to degree. This degree plan assumes a minimum of one course taken fulfilling two LE requirements simultaneously.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs) The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

Students are encouraged to participate in an immersion program related to education either through the department or college during the final two years of the program.

Faculty-Student Research Projects are encouraged after the first year of the program.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in “Quest,” the Integrated Learning Project specifically created for Music and Theatre Arts students. See Music and Theatre Arts Homepage for more information.

Course Suggestions

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance