Elementary Education

• Completion of Wisconsin certification requirements for elementary and middle school (grades Kindergarten through 9th) while pursuing the master’s degree.
• Field experiences during the day close to where you live are integrated throughout the program.
• Classes are held online. A full semester of in person student teaching is required to complete licensure requirements.

Degree Requirements

Initial Licensure Requirements, 32 credits

First Fall Term
TED 701 Psychology of Teaching and Learning, 3 credits
TED 706 Historical, Philosophical and Multicultural Foundations of Education, 3 credits
TED 708 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Curriculum and Early Childhood Methods, 3 credits

Winter Term
TED 661 Health and Physical Education for Elementary Teachers, 2 credits

Spring Term
TED 711 Literacy Methods: English Language Arts Assessment, Instruction and Intervention, 3 credits
TED 713 Social Studies Methods and Children's Literature, 3 credits
TED 716 Inclusive Education for English Learners and Students with Special Needs, 3 credits

Summer Term
TED 726 Creative Expression: Methods in Arts, Integrated Movement and Wellness, 3 credits

Second Fall Term
TED 731 STEM-infused Math Methods for Elementary and Middle Grades Educators, 3 credits
TED 738 STEM-infused Science Methods for Elementary and Middle School Educators, 3 credits
TED 741 Advanced Methods: Assessment Principles and Middle Grades Learners, 3 credits

Required for Teaching Certification (6 credits)
TED 746 Student Teaching, 6 credits

Prior to student teaching, student must also receive a qualifying minimum score of 157 from Praxis Subject Assessment Exam for Elementary Education (#5146) and a passing score on the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT).

See the Educator Preparation Program for more information.

Master of Science Degree Completion Requirements, 3 credits
TED 780 Professional Development Practicum (Fall and Spring 1.5 credits each semester)

The admissions process is designed so that those who enter and complete the program will obtain their license and be prepared for a career as a teacher. Individuals who complete the admissions process before July 1 will have priority for admission into the fall cohort. Later applicants may be admitted if space is available.

All candidates need to meet these admissions requirements:

• Submit an online UW-River Falls application and payment of the processing fee
• A 600-1000 word letter of intent describing why you consider yourself a strong candidate for the teaching profession and identifying your future career goals
• Official transcripts showing an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of > 2.75 (on a 4 point scale).

If the overall undergraduate GPA is between 2.5 and 2.74, a candidate may receive a contingent admission requiring a UW-River Falls graduate grade point average in their first term with grades ≥ 3.0 AND passing scores on one of the following assessments to demonstrate basic skills (ACT, PRAXIS Core, GRE, MTLE EAS). 

Send all documents directly to the UWRF Graduate Admissions Office by mail or email. Transcripts must be sent to UWRF directly from your previously attended institution. 

NOTE: A criminal background check is not required as part of the application but will be required for all accepted students prior to formal admission. Accepted students will receive an email from the College of Education, Business and Allied Health about this process. Indications of any criminal history on the background check are not considered in the application review process but may require a meeting with the college Associate Dean. Additionally, the program cannot guarantee any graduate an educational license nor job opportunities. Some licensing agencies and some school districts may choose not to consider applicants with criminal histories.