Department of Psychology
Psychology Major
Applied Business Emphasis
Human Services Emphasis

Department of Social Sciences
Geography Major
History Major
International Studies Major
Political Science Major
Social Sciences Comprehensive Major

School of Education
Early Childhood/Elementary Education (PK-6) Major
Elementary Education (1-6) Major
Elementary/Middle Education (1-9) Major
Middle Education (5-9) Major
Physical Education Major
Health Promotion Emphasis

The College of Liberal Arts and Education helps to cultivate in students both a breadth of knowledge and an awareness of the complexities of nature and human culture. It is hoped that students will develop a deep concern for both personal and social values. The college provides the general and liberal education of all students at the university and a variety of major and minor programs which offer in-depth study that may be used as a basis for career development. Liberal education provides intellectual skills needed to assure flexibility and a capacity for self-education. The curriculum fosters basic and comprehensive skills and abilities essential to effective performance in any professional career. It also enhances the ability to write with clarity and the ability to influence the views and perceptions of others. The curriculum not only helps students become more alert, sensitive, reflective, critical and thoughtful but also helps them widen their interests, deepen their appreciation and eventually develop their highest capacities as human beings. Reasons for students to pursue majors can range from purely aesthetic interests to commercial and career-oriented interests.

The college not only provides an education in the liberal arts but also has programs which lead to licensure to teach. Platteville has been preparing teachers since 1866 and was the first school for teacher preparation in Wisconsin. Comprehensive licensure alternatives are offered for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching. Licensure can be obtained in a major or minor area as well as comprehensive majors and minors in special teacher areas.

A well-qualified faculty who view their principal responsibility as teaching take pride in advancing their majors in liberal studies and professional programs and engaging in productive interactions with the community at large.

Applied Learning

The College of Liberal Arts and Education offers modern classroom, computer, and laboratory facilities. State-of-the-art multimedia lecture rooms are used by our faculty, and many departments have departmental computer labs which facilitate interactive learning. The Williams Fieldhouse provides up-to-date facilities for health and physical education programs, and the Center for the Arts includes a 550-seat concert hall with excellent acoustics, a 340-seat theater, rehearsal halls, faculty studios, and numerous practice rooms.

Internships and Co-ops

Many programs within the college afford students the opportunity to pursue work experiences. Students can use their classroom knowledge to solve "real world" problems under the careful guidance of mentors and the supervision of university faculty members.

Partnerships with Local Schools and Educational Agencies

Regional and area preschool, elementary, middle, and high schools serve as laboratories for field experiences related to professional teaching. The College utilizes the Children's Center located on campus as an observation and clinical facility to prepare students for its early childhood methods classes. The College also maintains the Center of Education for the Young Adolescent, which is a nationally recognized resource center for middle level education.

LAE Policies and Procedures

Students enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and Education may earn either a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. The college offers both of these degrees in most programs. A degree program consists of three parts: 1) liberal education requirements, 2) major requirements, and 3) minor requirements and/or electives. The liberal education component has been established to provide all students, regardless of major, with a solid foundation for lifetime learning that is essential for successful personal and professional development. Since the liberal education requirements are also intended to aid students in advanced college studies, they should be completed during the freshman and sophomore years.

In addition to the liberal education component, each degree candidate must complete a major offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Education. A typical major program requires 36 credits. Comprehensive majors require 60 or more credits. A minor (usually 24 credits) or second major (within or outside the College of Liberal Arts and Education) is optional. In teacher education, students are required to have an approved comprehensive major, an approved major and minor, or two approved majors.

The College of Liberal Arts and Education has added the following stipulations to its degree programs:

1. Except for education majors, no students may count more than 48 credits from any one discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

2. To earn a major, minor, or certificate in the College of Liberal Arts and Education, a student must have a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all courses taken for the major and the minor or certificate program. Individual departments within the college may establish higher requirements than the minimum set by the university or college for majors, minors, and/or certificates.

3. Each department and program in the College of Liberal Arts and Education has established a writing certification requirement for its majors. This writing requirement must be completed before graduation can take place. Details on the writing requirement along with other major requirements are available at department offices.