Elementary/Middle Education (K-9) and Special Education (K-12) Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)
Teachers have a positive and profound impact on future generations unlike any other profession. The Elementary/Middle Education and Special Education (EME/SPE) Program prepares educators and future leaders of our global society to teach the core subjects (literacy, math, science, and social studies) to kindergarten through grade 9 learners and kindergarten through grade 12 learners who have identified special education needs. Future teachers in this program will be be equipped with the skills to understand, assess, and support students with different needs in general education classrooms. EME/SPE teacher candidates will learn to reach all students with relevant curriculum, utilizing strategies that are developmentally appropriate for each age. We collaborate with public school partners to provide multiple practical experiences in inclusive classrooms and specialized settings where our teacher candidates learn to differentiate teaching approaches with the end goal of honoring the individuality of all students. Graduates of this program are confident, reflective practitioners who value academically rigorous teaching for all and who continuously improve their skills in response to best practices.
Completion of the Elementary/Middle Education and Special Education Program and associated benchmark assessments will lead to endorsement for the following Wisconsin teaching licenses:
- Elementary and Middle School, grades K-9 (2088) and
- Cross-Categorical Special Education, grades K-12 (2081).
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 special education (grades K-12) must meet specific program admission criteria.
Retention and advancement
Curriculum
The Elementary/Middle Education and Special Education Program aligned with Wisconsin Teaching Standards (WTS), the national CAEP (elementary) and AMLE (middle-level) Standards, and the CEC Special Education Professional Preparation Standards.
Required general education courses (28 credits)
Besides the courses specified below, elementary/middle education and special education majors must satisfy additional general education requirements. The General Education Program requires a total of 42 credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDS 203 | School, Society, and Teachers 1, 9 | 3 |
| EDS 206 | Multicultural Education 3, 9 | 3 |
| MTH 115 | Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 3 | 2 |
| MTH 116 | Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 3 | 2 |
| MTH 215 | Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 3 | 2 |
| HIS 110 | World History 4 | 3 |
| GEO 200 | Conservation of Global Environments 5 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 6 | 4 | |
Biological science course from GE Natural Science List | ||
Physical science course from GE Natural Science List | ||
| Select an English literature course from the GE Humanities list 7 | 3 | |
| ART 302 | Visual Language in the Global Classroom 8 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Recommended general education courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 106 | Physical Science for Educators 6 | 4 |
| HED 207 | Youth Health Issues 9 | 3 |
- 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.
- 4
Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, World History (GE Category 4-1).
- 5
Counts toward General Education Program requirement: International and Multicultural Studies, Global and Multicultural Studies (GE Category 4-2). Also satisfies a WI statutory requirement.
- 6
Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Natural Laboratory Science (GE Category 5).
- 7
Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Humanities (GE Category 7).
- 8
Counts toward General Education Program requirement: Arts (GE Category 8).
- 9
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 special education 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 212 | Lifespan Development 9 | 3 |
| MTH 216 | Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 3 | 2 |
| TSL 250 | Educating Multilingual Learners | 3 |
| Select the category not previously chosen for GE Catgeory 5: 6 | 3-4 | |
Biological science course | ||
Physical science course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American National Government 1 | ||
| State and Local Government 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 14-15 | |
Courses not requiring admission to the School of Education (18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDS 308 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDS 309 | Teaching Global Perspectives Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDS 311 | Curriculum and Pedagogy: Elementary/Middle Education | 3 |
| EDS 318 | Literacy Methods I | 3 |
| SPE 200 | Foundations of Special Education 9 | 3 |
| SPE 340 | Collaborative Partnerships and Transitions for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Courses requiring admission to the School of Education (50-51 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Field I block courses (must be taken concurrently) | ||
| EDS 402 | Field Experience I: Elementary Level 9 | 3 |
| EDS 413 | Social Studies Methods 9 | 3 |
| EDS 418 | Literacy Methods II 9 | 3 |
| Field II block courses (must be taken concurrently) | ||
| EDS 446 | Field Experience II: Middle Level 9 | 3 |
| EDS 421 | Science Methods 9 | 3 |
| EDS 422 | Mathematics Methods 9 | 3 |
| EDS 452 | Philosophy and Curriculum for Young Adolescent Learners | 3 |
| Special education courses | ||
| SPE 300 | Designing Sustainable Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SPE 420 | Advanced Literacy and Math Practices for K-12 Students with Persistent Academic Challenges | 3 |
| SPE 452 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| Special education field block (must be taken concurrently) | 8-9 | |
| Select one of the following options: | ||
| Option A: Local Experience (9 credits) | ||
| Advanced Practices for Students with Challenging Behaviors | ||
| Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education (K-12) | ||
| Field Experience in Special Education (K-12) | ||
| Option B: Luxembourg Experience (8 credits) 10 | ||
| Advanced Practices for Students with Challenging Behaviors in an International Setting | ||
| Methods in Cross-Categorical Special Education in an International Setting | ||
| Field Experience in Special Education in an International Setting | ||
| Student teaching semester 11 | ||
| EDS 492 | Student Teaching Seminar 9 | 1 |
| A combination of the following: 9 | 11 | |
| Student Teaching: Elementary/Middle Education (K-9) | ||
| Student Teaching: Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12) | ||
| Teaching Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 50-51 | |
- 9
Also satisfies an SOE core requirement.
- 10
This experience occurs during the summer on-site in Luxembourg. Students are responsible for the costs associated with the study abroad experience.
- 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.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- 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.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- 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 less than 12 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.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 | ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 |
| EDS 203 (Gen Ed Self & Society) | 3 | EDS 206 (Gen Ed Minority Cultures) | 3 |
| MTH 115 (Gen Ed Math) | 2 | MTH 116 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems) | 2 |
| FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 | GEO 200 (Gen Ed Global Studies) | 3 |
| HIS 110 (Gen Ed World History) | 3 | Gen Ed Humanistic Studies (English literature) | 3 |
| POL 101 or 102 | 3 | Gen Ed Health & Well-Being1 | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EDS 308 | 3 | EDS 318 | 3 |
| EDS 311 | 3 | EDS 309 | 3 |
| PSY 212 | 3 | MTH 216 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems) | 2 |
| Gen Ed Natural Lab Science (Biological) | 4 | TSL 250 | 3 |
| MTH 215 (Gen Ed Math/Lang/Logical Systems) | 2 | Gen Ed Natural Lab Science (Physical)2 | 4 |
| SPE 200 | 3 | Apply for Field Experience I3 | |
| Apply for admission to School of Education4 | |||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SPE 300 | 3 | SPE 340 | 3 |
| EDS 402 | 3 | SPE 424 | 3 |
| EDS 413 | 3 | SPE 452 | 3 |
| EDS 418 | 3 | SPE 455 | 3 |
| ART 302 (Gen Ed Arts) | 3 | SPE 460 | 3 |
| Apply for Special Education Field Experience3 | Apply for Field Experience II3 | ||
| Apply for Student Teaching5 | |||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EDS 421 | 3 | All course requirements and other benchmarks must be completed prior to student teaching.6 | |
| EDS 422 | 3 | EDS 492 | 1 |
| EDS 452 | 3 | EDS 491 | 6 |
| EDS 446 | 3 | EDS 497 | 5 |
| Gen Ed Arts (not from ART) | 2-3 | ||
| SPE 420 | 3 | ||
| 17 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 126 | |||
- 1
HED 207 Youth Health Issues (3 cr.) is recommended.
- 2
PHY 106 Physical Science for Educators (4 cr.) is recommended.
- 3
Students applying for field and student teaching placements will be asked to disclose any criminal charges.
- 4
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.
- 5
Students must apply for student teaching through the Office of Field Experience one year prior to student teaching semester.
- 6
For more information, please see the Student Teaching and Internship Policy.