Elementary/Middle Education (Grades K-9) and TESOL (Grades K-12) Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)

The elementary/middle education (grades K-9) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) major provides a pathway for future teachers to be dual-licensed in both regular education (English and language arts, math, science, social studies in grades K-9) and English as a Second Language (grades K-12). Both federal and state law include provisions for supporting English learners ​(ELs) in K-12 classrooms. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) requires that schools and districts take affirmative steps to ensure that ​multilingual students can meaningfully participate in their educational programs and services, while the Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA) mandates that public schools and state educational agencies (SEAs) must act to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by students in their instructional programs. The proportion of EL students in K-12 classrooms is increasing, yet there is a shortage of EL certified teachers in WI. There is a critical need to prepare more qualified EL teachers to support our K-12 learners locally and across the state. This program will prepare future teachers with the skills and dispositions to differentiate instruction to serve all students in their classrooms.

Completion of the Elementary/Middle Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the following Wisconsin teaching licenses:

• Elementary and Middle School, grades K-9 (2088) and
• English as a Second Language, grades K-12 (ESL, 1395).

Students in all teacher education programs must satisfy the School of Education (SOE) core requirements.

Students in all teacher education programs must be admitted to the School of Education in order to complete their program requirements and be eligible for endorsement for the appropriate teaching license(s). Students majoring in elementary/middle education (grades K-9) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) must meet specific program admission criteria.  

Students majoring in elementary/middle education (grades K-9) and teaching English to speakers of other languages (grades K-12) must complete the TESOL field experience component during Winter session in Puerto Rico. Costs associated with this experience are the responsibility of the student.

Retention and advancement

Language proficiency program requirements

Students must complete both A and B requirements prior to student teaching.

A. Proficiency in a world language (no credits) as demonstrated by one of the following:

• Advanced Placement (AP) world language exam score of 3 or higher
• Placing into a 102-level or higher world language course at UWL
• A score of 70 or higher on the La Crosse Battery (non-native speakers of English)
• A grade of "B" or better in a 101-level or higher world language course (taught in the world language) taken at UWL or another accredited institution of higher education. See below world language course list.¹

¹

World language classes numbered 102, 103, 201, and 202 taken at UWL also count toward general education credits.

 B. Proficiency in English (no credits) as demonstrated by a grade of "B" or better in one of the following courses:

¹

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Self and Society (GE Category 6).

²

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Minority Cultures or Multiracial Women's Studies (GE Category 3).

³

Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Mathematical/Logical Systems and Modern Languages (GE Category 2). Must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, World History (GE Category 4-1).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, Global and Multicultural Studies (GE Category 4-2). Also satisfies a WI statutory requirement.

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Natural Laboratory Science (GE Category 5).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Arts (GE Category 8).

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Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Health and Physical Well-Being (GE Category 9).

Additional required content courses (14-15 credits)

Elementary/middle education and teaching English to speakers of other languages majors must complete the following additional content courses to meet accreditation standards and/or WI statutory requirements. Some courses are also in the General Education Program.

Courses not requiring admission to the School of Education (30 credits)

Courses requiring admission to the School of Education (38 credits)

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Also satisfies an SOE core requirement.

¹⁰

Includes experience with high school learners (grades 9-12).

¹¹

Must complete all course requirements and other benchmarks prior to student teaching. For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.

Additional teacher education requirements are listed on the School of Education catalog page.

All teacher education students must complete the general education, School of Education, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.

• General education
• School of Education requirements
• Baccalaureate degree requirements

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.^{1, 2}
5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA^{1, 2} in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.

¹

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

²

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

¹

See the SOE admissions website for complete admission and application details. Students will be required to complete a criminal background check at the time of application for admission.

²

PHY 106 is recommended.

³

HED 207 is recommended.

⁴

Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.

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Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to the student teaching semester.

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For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.