The process to attain teacher certification is a bit more complicated than most majors on campus due to state requirements from the Department of Public Instruction. It is important that you avail yourself of the requirements prior to starting school.

Our teacher certification program for an initial teaching license is at the undergraduate level and most courses are offered during traditional days and times during the school year. Night courses are limited.

Recommendations:

1. Read the "Undergraduate/Student Handbook" section of our web-site carefully. Pay special attention to the following sections (they are all found in the "Student Handbook" section:
    
   1. Introduction, Conceptual Framework and Wisconsin Teaching Standards
      This section specifically targets new state mandates, referred to as PI34.  It includes information on the Conceptual Framework of our Program and the Professional Education Portfolio and PRAXIS II Content Tests that are now required of all teacher certification students.
       
   2. Choosing a Teaching Major or Minor and Advising - You must have the equivalent of the UWSP teaching major you wish to pursue, as well as any additional teaching requirements. A teaching minor is optional in most cases.It is very important that you make sure UWSP offers the teaching major/minor you wish to pursue.  (Elementary Education majors are required to have a 22 credit minor or second major. Early Childhood Education majors are required to pursue the Early Childhood Special Education minor.)
      
   3. Professional Education Program Application Requirements and Application Process - These requirements must be completed and all test scores submitted to our office prior to applying to the Professional Education Program. Some of these requirements take a significant amount of time to complete.  Make sure that you also meet requirements your teaching major or minor require.

      NOTE: Admission to the Professional Education Program is required a semester prior to taking the upper-level Early Childhood Education, Education and Instructional Resources courses, as well as many teaching methods courses in other departments. This is a separate process from applying to UWSP through Admissions.

      DEADLINES TO APPLY: February 22 and September 22 (Friday prior to the deadline if the deadline falls on a weekend.)
       

   4. Practicum Requirements and Student Teaching - many courses require practicum hours out in the schools. Student teaching requires a full semester, full days, Mondays-Fridays, following the calendar of the school district for which you are placed.
       
   5. Curriculum Planning Sheets - Early Childhood, Elementary and Exceptional (Special) Education majors must meet the requirements specifically listed on the planning sheets for those majors. Secondary and K-12 students must have a UWSP teaching major and the requirements specifically listed on the Secondary planning sheet.
       
   6. Enrollment Caps - All teaching majors and some teaching minors have enrollment caps for admission to the Professional Education Program. Most secondary/k-12 major enrollment cap policies also have additional requirements to apply to the Program, many of which are related to courses completed in the major prior to application.
       
   7. Important Dates - Dates and Times are already listed for the 2004-2005 school year.
       
2. Obtain a credit evaluation from the School of Education Advising Office - This should be done as soon as you know you are thinking about attending UWSP and does not require admission to the University. (Many students who know they will eventually transfer to UWSP do this their first semester on another campus to make sure the courses they are taking are appropriate and are meeting other requirements in a timely fashion.)
    
   • Directions: Send the following, all in one envelope OR all in one fax to Maggie Beeber, Advising Coordinator, School of Education, College of Professional Studies, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481; FAX #715-346-4846:
     a) unofficial copies of transcripts from every university, college or technical school you have attended (individual transcripts actually printed from the school attended),
      b) a list of courses you are currently taking, and
     c) a letter from you stating your name, address, phone number, and teaching major/minor you wish to pursue.
      
   • What happens next? Within 2 weeks of receiving all of your materials we will mail out our portion of the credit evaluation, our planning sheet with courses checked off that you have completed, along with a packet of materials on applying to the Professional Education Program. We will then forward your request to any teaching major or minor you have listed that is not housed in the School of Education. Their response will be sent under separate cover.
      
   • You are welcome to call our office and make an appointment to see an advisor after you have received and read the credit evaluation packet we send to you. Advising is by appointment only. Please feel free to call to speak with someone about questions you may have prior to requesting a credit evaluation,715-346-2040.
      
3. Apply to UW-Stevens Point through the Admissions Office. Applications are not processed until all required paperwork and fees have been received by the Admissions Office.  web-site:  apply.wisconsin.edu
    
4. UW-College Students (2-year campuses) - In addition to following the directions above, UW-College students who attend one of the 2-year Colleges have access to program guides at the "Transfer Information System" (otherwise known as TIS). These guides provide planning sheets with course equivalencies for the 2-year Colleges. Please go to the following web-site: http://www.uwsa.edu/tis  You will then want to click on the following to get the program guides: First click on "transfer guides and agreements," then "UW Colleges Transfer Guides," then "UW-Stevens Point," then "School of Education," then click on the program area for which you wish to pursue.