For all students pursuing teacher licensure programs, there are two points of admission. The first is admission to UW-Whitewater and the second is admission to Professional Education. Students must be admitted to Professional Education in order to take upper-level courses for licensure required for their degree programs. In order to apply for admission to Professional Education, students must meet all of the Basic Eligibility Requirements and submit their application materials during one of the designated admission cycles for their program. There are admission cycles during the fall, spring and summer terms. While most programs admit during all three terms, the Early Childhood Dual Licensure program accepts applications during the fall only, and the Elementary/Middle Education program admits in fall and spring, but not summer. Please see the table below for all application dates. Click on the "Application Open Date" or "Application Close Date" in the table below when applications are live and you will be taken directly to the application. Contact <a href="mailto:education@uww.edu">education@uww.edu</a> with any questions.   <table class="table table-bordered table-striped" style="height: 88px;"> <thead> <tr style="height: 22px;" class="table"> <th style="height: 22px; width: 100.516px;" scope="col" class="table">Semester</th> <th style="height: 22px; width: 175.547px;" scope="col" class="table">Application Open Date</th> <th style="height: 22px; width: 176.688px;" scope="col" class="table">Application Close Date</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr style="height: 22px;"> <td style="height: 22px; width: 100.516px;">Summer 2026</td> <td style="height: 22px; width: 175.547px;"><a href="https://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_afmw46V0081JmQe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">May 25th, 2026</a></td> <td style="height: 22px; width: 176.688px;"><a href="https://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_afmw46V0081JmQe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">June 7th, 2026</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Federal regulations require full disclosure of licensure requirements for professional licensure programs (<a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/34/668.43" target="_blank" rel="noopener">34 CFR Sec. 668.43</a>; section C). Per the new rules, institutions are required to determine the states in which a student and prospective student is located for the purpose of disclosing state-specific; professional licensure information to students based on the state in which a student is located. Professional licensure requirements for the state of WI can be found on our <a href="/irap/external-reports/nc-sara-professional-licensure">Professional Licensure Disclosures</a> webpage. If seeking licensure outside the state of WI, contact information for state agencies can be found on the <a href="https://www.uww.edu/irap/external-reports/nc-sara-professional-licensure" rel="noopener">NC SARA Professional Licensure Directory</a>. Many programs take course(s) in the foundations block prior to applying for formal Admission to Professional Studies in the College of Education and Professional Studies. Please see program requirement link above to view program specific requirements as seen in our course catalog. Foundations Block Courses <ul> <li><a href="https://courses.uww.edu/Undergraduate/EDFNDPRC/210" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDFNDPRC 210: Introduction to Education and Teaching</a></li> <li><a href="https://courses.uww.edu/Undergraduate/EDFOUND/243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDFOUND 243: Foundations of Education in a Pluralistic Society</a></li> <li><a href="https://courses.uww.edu/Undergraduate/EDFOUND/222" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDFOUND 222: Child Development</a> (Elementary and Special Education majors) OR <a href="https://courses.uww.edu/Undergraduate/EDFOUND/212" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EDFOUND 212: Educational Psychology </a>(Secondary Education majors)</li> </ul> In addition to the enrollment and/or completion of the required course for your program, all students, including undergraduates, transfer students, and baccalaureate degree holding students, must meet the following GPA/Testing criteria: 1. <a href="https://www.uww.edu/coeps/advising-and-licensure#licensure">Passing scores</a> 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 2.5 combined cumulative GPA (grade point average); On a minimum of 12 completed credits <hr /> 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. Step 1:  Please complete the <a href="https://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_broAzSyGeZoeX1Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UW-Whitewater Endorsement Survey.</a> Step 2:  Check to <a href="https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/background-check/fingerprint-requirement/submission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see if you are required to submit fingerprints </a> 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 <a href="https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/apply-educator-license/initial-wisconsin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">begin the DPI ELO application process</a>. Please note: Step 1 and Step 3 MUST occur before the DPI ELO system will be ready for you.    Additional Information: <ul> <li>DPI will require UWW to upload your name into ELO before you will be able to submit your license application.</li> <li>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, special education, reading teachers and specialists), 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).</li> <li>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.</li> <li>DPI will require a $125 credit card payment (no PINS are accepted).</li> <li>Once you are applying on DPI's ELO website, if you encounter problems please <a href="https://dpi.wi.gov/support/contact-educator-licensing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contact DPI</a>.</li> <li>To check on the status of your application at DPI once your license application has been submitted by you online, use the <a href="https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/license-lookup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ELO Public Search</a> at the Department of Public Instruction.</li> </ul> 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 <a href="mailto:coepslicensure@uww.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coepslicensure@uww.edu</a> 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 <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis/wi/test-takers/plan-your-test/licensure-requirements.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Educational Testing Service (ETS).</a> 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).   <div style="overflow-x: auto;"> <table class="table table-bordered table-striped" width="1153" height="211"> <thead> <tr class="table" style="height: 22px;"> <th style="width: 165.539px; text-align: center;" scope="col" class="table">Test</th> <th style="width: 165.539px; text-align: center;" scope="col" class="table">Wisconsin Passing Score</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr class="table" style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">CORE Reading (5713)</td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">156</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">CORE Writing (5723)</td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">162</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">CORE Mathematics (5733)</td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">150</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <div style="overflow-x: auto;"> <table class="table table-bordered table-striped" width="1153" height="211"> <thead> <tr class="table" style="height: 22px;"> <th style="width: 165.539px; text-align: center;" scope="col" class="table">Test</th> <th style="width: 165.539px; text-align: center;" scope="col" class="table">Wisconsin Passing Score</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr class="table" style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;"><a href="http://www.act.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ACT</a></td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">Composite score of 22 with minimum score of 20 on English, Math, and Reading</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;"><a href="http://www.sat.collegeboard.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAT</a></td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">Total score of 1100</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 58px;"> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;"><a href="http://www.ets.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GRE Revised General Test</a></td> <td style="width: 263.461px; height: 58px;">Minimum score of 150 on Verbal Reasoning, 3 on Analytical Writing, and 145 on Quantitative Reasoning</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> 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 890. Find detailed information about the test, test outline, practice tests, study guides, videos, and tutorials provided by <a href="https://www.nestest.com/state/wi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pearson Education</a>, the test publisher. State Minimum Score: 233 <a href="https://www.nestest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Students can create an account and register for the FORT here »</a>   Praxis Subject Assessment Tests To qualify for student teaching and licensure, students must do one of the following depending on the program they are enrolled in (please consult with your program coordinator): <ol> <li>Pass the appropriate <a href="https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/wisconsin-tests.html#accordion-2b01c2122c-item-2c4b1b9fb3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Praxis subject assessment test</a></li> <li>Have a 3.0 or greater GPA in their content GPA</li> <li>Complete portfolio in student teaching seminar successfully (English Literature and Language Arts BSE completers only)</li> <li>Complete additional tests where required (Bilingual/Bicultural and World Languages)</li> </ol> Students who are required to pass the Praxis subject assessment test must complete this requirement by March 1st for Fall student teaching or October 1st for Spring student teaching in order to be placed by the Office of Clinical Experiences (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 they will be required to pass for licensable programs.   Test Preparation Resources <ul> <li>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. <ul> <li>Use the <a href="https://libguides.uww.edu/praxis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Test Prep Resources for Teacher Licensing LibGuide</a> to find study materials online and in the Andersen Library.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Test preparation books are available for purchase at the University Bookstore and through your preferred bookseller. The <a href="https://www.ets.org/praxis/wi/test-takers/resources.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ETS website</a> provides free study companions and low-cost interactive tests.</li> <li>We also recommend that students visit their local public libraries to utilize test preparation materials available there.</li> </ul>