ADVISING AND LICENSURE

Students take the Foundations Block courses prior to applying for formal Admission to Professional Education in the College of Education and Professional Studies. 

Foundations Block Courses

• EDFNDPRC 210: Introduction to Education and Teaching
• EDFOUND 243: Foundations of Education in a Pluralistic Society
• EDFOUND 222: Child Development (Elementary and Special Education majors) OR EDFOUND 212: Educational Psychology (Secondary Education majors)

All students entering the Foundations courses, including undergraduates, transfer students, and baccalaureate degree holding students, must meet the following criteria:

1. Passing scores on the Praxis CORE/ACT/SAT or GRE (students need passing scores in all components of the selected test within the last ten years).

OR

2. A 2.75 combined cumulative GPA (grade point average); On a minimum of 12 completed credits

Introduction to Education and Teaching

Observation and Participation Fieldwork Component

A central component of the Introduction course is the fieldwork requirement. Students spend 50 hours in a diverse educational setting. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the assigned site. The Introduction course instructors serve as university supervisors for this fieldwork experience, and cooperating teachers complete evaluations of the students. 

Portfolio Component
In addition to the fieldwork component above, students will complete a portfolio requirement in the Introduction to Teaching Course.

The Advising Licensure Coordinators listed below are for students who are formally admitted to Professional Education and for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. 

Freshmen or sophomores not yet admitted to Professional Education should contact the Winther Hall Information Desk (education@uww.edu or 262-472-1101) to be referred to the appropriate advisor.

 Instructions for Program Completers

Step 1:  Please complete the UW-Whitewater Endorsement Survey.

Step 2:  Check here to see if you are required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Step 3:  Check your UWW email approximately one to four weeks after you complete your program (this includes the successful completion of student teaching, clinicals, and /or testing requirements) and have completed step 1.  The email will confirm that your endorsement for licensure has been submitted to the DPI. 

Step 4:  After you receive the confirmation email you may begin the DPI ELO application process. Please note: Step 1 and Step 3 MUST occur before the DPI ELO system will be ready for you. 

Additional Information:

• DPI will require UWW to upload your name into ELO before you will be able to submit your license application.
• In order for UWW to submit your name to ELO, you will need to have completed Step 1 (see above), have your final grades in, your degree posted (if applicable), passed the FORT test (for applicable majors; i.e. elementary ed, early childhood ed, reading teachers and specialists), passed the FORT test or FORT Alternative (applicable for special education majors only; this does not include early childhood programs), passed any required content exams, and/or met the minimum 3.0 content GPA for your specific licensure area (if applicable).
• You may view your unofficial transcript in WINS if you would like to track when your grades have been posted and to see when your Bachelor's degree has been posted.  EVERYTHING must be posted before your name will be submitted to DPI.
• DPI will require a $125 credit card payment (no PINS are accepted).
• Once you are applying on DPI's ELO website, if you encounter problems please contact DPI.
• To check on the status of your application at DPI once your license application has been submitted by you online, use the ELO Public Search at the Department of Public Instruction.

Note:  Licenses with stipulations require an entirely different license application process.  Please check with your employer or DPI for additional information.

If you completed your approved program prior to 2004, please email coepslicensure@uww.edu

*If you are applying for an out of state license, your WI license application needs to be submitted prior to submission of an out of state licensure application*

• Research out-of-state requirements before applying for positions out of Wisconsin. Contact the Department of Education in the state you wish to seek employment.
• If the out-of-state application form requires an institutional endorsement, you may email the form to: coepslicensure@uww.edu
• Once you have submitted the application form, it will be processed and any questions regarding your application will be sent via email.
• NC Sara Professional Licensure Directory »

Tests for Admission to Professional Education

Note: Effective September 1, 2015, only passing scores from within the past 10 years (from the date of submission of application for Admission to Professional Education) will be accepted. Passing scores must all be from the same test session.

Students can apply for admission to the College of Education and Professional Studies by obtaining a combined GPA of 2.75 OR using passing scores from all components of ONE of the tests listed below:

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) Test

The Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators is part of the Praxis Series administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The Praxis CORE is used to measure teacher candidates’ knowledge in reading, writing and mathematics. Note: If you wish to take all three Praxis CORE tests at the same time, select CORE Academic Skills for Educators: Combined Test (5752) when registering.  Scores, however, will be reported by individual test (5713, 5723, 5733).

Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test

All candidates in Wisconsin applying for a teaching license in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Reading Specialist will be required to take the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT). Passing scores on the FORT will be required to be endorsed for a Wisconsin Teaching License.  When registering for the test, make sure to register for test 190.

For detailed information about the test, test outline, practice tests, study guides, videos, and tutorials provided by Pearson Education, the test publisher, can be found here.

State Minimum Score:  233 

Students can electronically enroll to take the FORT.

Praxis II and Content Area Assessments

Students admitted to Professional Education prior to Fall 2023 may be required to submit a passing score on the Praxis II Content Knowledge Test depending on the specific program of study.

Praxis II Content Knowledge Tests for initial licensure are:

• *Praxis II English Language Arts: Test Code: 5038; passing score 167
• *Praxis II General Science: Test Code: 5435; passing score 154
• *Praxis II Social Studies: Test Code: 5081; passing score 153

If the first attempt to pass the Praxis II Test results in a failing score, contact your Program Coordinator for additional support. Register for the test.

 To qualify for student teaching and licensure in all programs other than those listed above, students must either:

1. Pass the appropriate Praxis subject assessment test

or

2. Have a 3.0 or greater GPA in their major and licensure courses. 

Students must complete these requirements by March 1st for Fall student teaching or October 1st for Spring student teaching in order to be placed by the Office of Clinical Experience (OCE).  

It is the student’s responsibility to know which test they will be required to take. Students must consult with their COEPS faculty advisor for clarification of which Praxis subject assessment test(s) and/or content area exam(s) they will be required to pass for licensable minors and/or non-declared programs. 

Test Preparation Resources

• The UW-Whitewater Andersen Library has a plethora of test preparation materials for students seeking teacher licensure available for checkout and for use in the library.
  • Use the  Test Prep Resources for Teacher Licensing LibGuide to find study materials online and in the Andersen Library. 

• Test preparation books are available for purchase at the University Bookstoreand through your preferred bookseller.  The ETS website provides free study companions and low-cost interative tests.  

• We also recommend that students visit their local public libraries to utilize test preparation materials available there.

Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for UW-Whitewater institutional endorsement for licensure:

1. Completion of a UW-Whitewater approved undergrad, graduate, or post baccalaureate program. If a candidate has a degree from another institution, a transcript review will be required and statutory requirements may need to be met.
2. Successful completion of of Clinical Experiences, including Pre-Student teaching, student teaching/practicums as required by your program.
3. A combined GPA of 2.75 based on all post-secondary credits. (3.0 for licenses that require a master’s degree)
4. Content GPA of 3.0 or higher OR passing the required Praxis Subject Assessment for the program. Candidates should communicate with their program coordinator to determine requirements.