Master of Science in Elementary Education

Admission to the Program
You must submit an application to pursue graduate study at UWSP before you can be admitted to the MSE–Elementary Education program. Obtain admission applications from the Admissions Office, Room 102, Student Services Center or the School of Education Graduate Advising Office, Room 438, College of Professional Studies. You must submit official transcripts covering your undergraduate coursework and any additional coursework listed on your application. The Admissions Office will process your application and then notify you that your materials will be forwarded to School of Education Graduate Advising. At that time, your application will be reviewed by School of Education Graduate Advising for admittance to the "program."
Because you may include no more than 9 completed graduate credits in your official Program of Study, submit your proposed plan of study and rationale statement BEFORE you complete 9 graduate credits.
Admission to Candidacy
Program planning: Admission to candidacy (program planning) does not occur until after you have applied to pursue graduate study at UWSP (Admissions Office) and been admitted to the elected program of study (School of Education Graduate Advising). Once you are admitted you will receive a "working copy" form and program planning guidesheet which you are to use for preparing your proposed plan of study.

To be accepted as a candidate:
  1. Complete no more than 9 credits of graduate work. You may apply earlier, but you should be admitted to the program and meet with your adviser before you have completed 9 graduate credits.
  2. Remove any academic deficiencies and/or complete all subject matter prerequisites.
  3. Maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average in all your graduate work.
  4. Complete and receive approval for your Program of Study.
The Program Earn 30 credits in graduate courses:
  1. Professional education: 9 credits which include foundations, curriculum, and research courses. Education 782 may substitute for Education 707 only with adviser approval prior to enrollment.
  2. Liberal arts: 6-9 credits outside education (courses without the EDUC prefix).
  3. Area of specialization: of the remaining education credits, at least 3 must be from courses in instructional methods, supervision and instruction, reading, foundations, etc. Advisers may approve exceptions for 500-level courses.
Culminating Experience
Complete either of these two options:
Thesis Option: Write a thesis and a comprehensive examination covering the liberal arts area of your program,

OR

Nonthesis Option: Take Education 707 or 782 and write a comprehensive examination. You must have at least 24 credits completed toward your Program of Study including the required component area coursework before you can register to write your exam. The graduate exam will include foundations, liberal arts, and 6 additional credits in your area of study. You may not write on practicum, independent study, or research work. Register for the exam one semester before you plan to take it. To register and for more information, contact the School of Education Graduate Advising Office at 346-4403.
Exit Interview (credit check for graduation)
You must complete an exit interview one semester prior to the semester in which you plan to graduate. This interview will generate a credit check on your progress and requirements and provide a one-semester "cushion" to cover discrepancies. You will receive the application for graduation at the exit interview and you apply for graduation after the interview.

Deadlines: Decide on the term in which you anticipate receiving your diploma. Schedule your credit check, sign up for exams and apply for graduation by the month indicated.
  • Apply by August for December diploma and graduation ceremony.
  • Apply by December for May diploma and graduation ceremony.
  • Apply by December for August diploma. There is no ceremony in August, however, candidates may request to participate in either May or December ceremonies.