Admission to SOE
Admission to School of Education: Undergraduate Teacher Education (Initial License) Programs
Please see the Graduate and Add-on program information page for graduate admission/completion info.
Wisconsin educator licensing code (PI 34.018(2)) requires that candidates for an educator license must apply for admission to the educator preparation program. At UWL, admission to the School of Education in the appropriate teacher education program is required in order to enroll in professional education courses. Each program has specific criteria to be eligible to apply for admission (see below). Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission into the School of Education or a specific teacher education program. Limited availability of resources may impact the number of students admitted to a given program.
Criminal Background Check (CBC)
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC, and to complete their portion of the process prior to the deadline specified in their admission letter. Teacher candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s).
SOE iPad program
Teacher candidates who are admitted to the School of Education are required to have an iPad that meets SOE specifications (follow this link for a detailed description of the iPad program). The fee for the iPad is financial aid eligible and will appear on the student bill in the semester following admission to the candidate's teacher education program. If the acquisition of an iPad is a financial hardship, please contact SOE to discuss options. Students who are admitted to SOE are provided information on how to purchase the appropriate iPad through the SOE iPad order survey. Teacher candidates who purchase their own device outside of the SOE process and without pre-approval do so at their own risk.
Admission Guidelines and Electronic Application Links
Spring 2023 applications open January 23 and close at 4:00 pm on February 10, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.
Follow this link to apply for admission to a DES program listed below
Resources:
Preview the application survey
Download an application checklist
Watch a video with tips on applying
Learn more about applying to DES programs
- Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 3)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & Special Education (grades K-12)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & TESOL (grades K-12)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & French Education (grades K-12)
- Elementary/Middle Education (grades K-9) & Spanish Education (grades K-12)
Follow this link to Apply for Admission to an AWLME program listed below
Resources:
Preview the application survey (updated F22)
Download an application checklist
Watch a video with tips on applying
Learn more about applying to AWLME programs
- Art Education (grades K-12)
- French Education (grades K-12)
- French Education (grades K-12) & TESOL (grades K-12)
- Music Education (grades K-12) - Choral & General Emphasis
- Music Education (grades K-12) - Instrumental & General Emphasis
- Spanish Education (grades K-12)
- Spanish Education (grades K-12) & TESOL (grades K-12)
The PASHE program: Physical Education (grades K-12), Adapted Physical Education (grades K-12), and School Health Education (grades K-12)
Follow this link to Apply for Admission to the PASHE program
Resources:
Preview the application survey
Download an application checklist
Watch a video with tips on applying
Learn more about applying to the triple licensure PASHE program
PASHE Reference form (for use by individuals serving as a reference)
Teacher Education Program Requirements
Teacher candidates (education majors) must meet SOE Core requirements and other benchmarks required by the WI Department of Public Instruction and the School of Education in order to be endorsed for a teaching license. Complete information on program requirements is available in the UWL undergraduate catalog. Some links to education program requirements are provided below.