What you'll learn studying Education at UW-Platteville 

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville School of Education has a rich history of training educators for more than 150 years. UW-Platteville has been preparing teachers since the state’s first Normal School was established in 1866. The School of Education takes great pride in this long-standing tradition and is committed to providing quality educational offerings and programs.

You will learn educational theories and instructional practices that will prepare you to meet the diverse needs of learners. Our dynamic program will also prepare you to be a change agent in the schools and communities that you will serve in the future.

Our team of dedicated faculty members provide instruction in small classes, and you will put your skills into practice by student teaching and volunteering in local schools.

A Focus on Rural Education

With our education programs, you will learn through a place-based framework with a rural education focus, which supports our data that 80 percent of our graduates go on to teach in rural communities in the Midwest and throughout the country. Place-based education is learner centered education that connects classrooms to communities. By focusing on the strengths of the local context, particularly rural communities, teachers help students connect classroom lessons to the world around them. This serves to increase student engagement and help students feel supported and challenged in ways that feel meaningful to them. 

No matter where your career leads you, our place-based framework will equip you with the essential tools and skills to be an effective educator. UW-Platteville’s teacher preparation program will help you gain the skills necessary to positively influence students’ academic achievement as well as their social and emotional growth.

Student teacher in classroom

 

Elementary and Middle Education (K-9)

Our elementary education programs will prepare you to teach K through 9th-grade students in general subject areas, and as a broadly trained and flexible teacher, your degree will be highly marketable upon graduation. While the licensure band of this elementary teacher degree program is broad, you can customize your academic program by choosing a range of electives that suit your interests.

special education student

 

Special Education

Our special education/inclusion minor gives students experience with special needs in a classroom. In this program, you’ll explore coursework in the areas of managing children with disabilities, learning and language disorders, effective inclusion for students with disabilities, and more.

This minor, when taken with elementary education, will result in an adaptive education licensure, and when taken with the elementary/middle education (K-9), will result in a cross-categorical license.

High school student learning

 

Middle-High School (4th–12th)

Our bachelor of education degree programs focus on building a teaching workforce responsive to the needs of the community. As a middle-secondary education major, you will have the opportunity to customize your degree by selecting from a wide variety of approved majors and minors. You will have exciting opportunities to apply the skills you learn on campus within local school systems.

You can choose a specialization in one of the following subject areas:

Education student teaching young children

 

K-12 programs

The School of Education prepares teachers who can demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be effective, reflective practitioners in K-12 schools. You will develop communications skills and an understanding of human relations. You will practice integrating technology and media into classroom instruction, and gain deep knowledge of subject matter content, while learning effective instructional practices. 

You can choose one of the following content areas:

Rural School Collaborative

Led by UW-Platteville’s School of Education, the mission of the collaborative is to build sustainable rural communities through a keen focus on place, teachers, and philanthropy.


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Trusted, quality programs

The School of Education's teacher education programs at UW-Platteville satisfy the requirements for licensure through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Wisconsin teaching licenses are highly regarded in other states, assuring the programs meet standards to produce graduates licensed and ready to teach. We offer advising for all current and prospective students on the licensure requirements for their respective states. Prospective students should contact the School of Education at their general number for assistance in planning.

Careers in Education

The field of education is a calling for many people who want to make a difference and enrich the lives of students. Whether you have known from an early age that you want to become a teacher or are drawn toward administration, curriculum design, or another aspect of education, attending a university for teachers can prepare you for many exciting careers in public and private institutions.

An education degree may be the first step to a career in the classroom or as an administrator, which may require earning an advanced degree. Career opportunities can include:

  • Preschool teacher
  • Kindergarten teacher
  • Elementary school teacher
  • Middle school teacher
  • High school teacher
  • K-12 administrator
  • K-12 school principal
  • Instructional coordinator
  • Adult literacy teacher
  • School librarian
  • Middle school or high school counselor
  • Adult education instructor
  • ESL teacher
  • Tutor
  • Special education teacher
  • Special education classroom aide
  • Reading specialist
  • Math specialist
  • School public relations representative

Teachers create lesson plans, provide instruction for entire classrooms or groups of students, grade assignments, communicate with students’ parents and guardians, and prepare students for standardized testing. Elementary and middle school teachers also develop and enforce classroom rules and provide supervision of the children in their care.

Regardless of their roles, education professionals shape the lives of the children and adults in their communities in countless ways. Earning a teaching degree provides a solid foundation for a long and successful career in the field of education.

Meeting Wisconsin License Requirements

The UW-Platteville School of Education program is designed to meet all of the educational requirements for the initial licensing in the State of Wisconsin. The program may not meet requirements of other states and we are unable to make a determination about whether the program meets requirements of other states. If you are interested in certification outside of the state of Wisconsin, we encourage you to contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements before beginning a program, as well as during your program of study.

Discover by doing

As an education student at UW-Platteville, you will have access to opportunities designed to help you learn and hone your skills, both inside and outside of the classroom. You’ll have access to opportunities for student teaching, undergraduate research, internships, and university events that can prepare you to succeed as a future educator.


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Student teaching

One of the most important phases in preparing for your professional teaching career is student teaching. As a student teacher, you’ll learn from classroom experiences and reflect upon them with your university supervisor and cooperating teacher. You’ll also share instructional responsibilities in the classroom with a cooperating teacher.

You should apply for admission to student teaching in December preceding the academic year in which your student teaching will take place. Read more about the requirements for student teaching and admission to the school of education.

Education Alumni Make Impact

Jacob C. ’06
Jacob C. ’06

I am proud to be a 4th generation educator (all graduating from UW-Platteville). The influence of my parents and seeing the lives they impacted are why I pursued a career in education.

Principal

Gina R. ’08
Gina R. ’08

[Growing up], my principal, teachers, and coaches taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and community involvement. Realizing the impact they had on me and my classmates inspired me to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in education.

Social studies teacher

Michael F. ’22
Michael F. ’22

Working in a rural school district allows for more opportunities for me as a teacher, such as coaching multiple sports and participating in different organizations and committees, while it also provides opportunities for closer relationships with staff and students.

Fifth-grade grade teacher

Department of Public Instruction 

The School of Education's undergraduate programs including majors, minors, and concentrations are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). These programs meet requirements of Wisconsin's PI 34 administrative rules. 

Act 166 Annual Report 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction produces an annual report of the State’s educator preparation programs required by the Wisconsin State Legislature Act 166. The report includes information on program completers and first time passage rates on the sate required performance assessments.

Review teacher certification by state

Contact Information

School of Education


8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday