<p>Written by Chris Lindeke | Photos by Craig Schreiner</p>
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<p>A leader in teacher education in Wisconsin for more than 150 years, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will launch a <a href="https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/elementary-middle-education">Master of Science in Education in Elementary Middle Education</a> starting this fall.</p>
<p>The program — which was approved by the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents at a meeting in April and is pending final approval from the state’s Department of Public Instruction — provides a pathway for people with a bachelor’s degree to earn K-9 teacher licensure. Applications are welcome at this time, and admission will be confirmed upon receiving DPI approval.</p>
<p>The degree addresses a critical workforce need for elementary and middle school teachers in Wisconsin and throughout the region.</p>
<p>“UW-Whitewater is a leader in teacher education, and the MSE in Elementary Middle Education was created with the local and regional need for teachers in mind,” said Lana Collet-Klingenberg, dean of the <a href="https://www.uww.edu/coeps">College of Education and Professional Studies</a>. “According to the Wisconsin DPI, the largest shortage area for licensure is now in regular education in elementary and middle school. This degree is ideal for working adults who have a degree outside of education or for paraprofessionals already working in schools.”</p>
<p>The MSE in Elementary Middle Education is a two-year, online, asynchronous program that allows students to work at their own pace. The curriculum includes courses and school-based placements in teaching mathematics, social studies, fine arts, science, and literacy before culminating with a full-time semester-long student teaching placement.</p>
<p>UW-Whitewater, which opened its doors in 1868 as a school for future teachers, licenses the most teachers in Wisconsin. In addition to its undergraduate programs, the university offers six other MSE educator preparation programs, including:</p>
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<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/reading-instruction-and-dyslexia-intervention">Reading Instruction and Dyslexia Intervention</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/early-childhood-education-policy">Early Childhood Education Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/instructional-design">Instructional Design and Learning Technology</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/coeps/academics/professional-studies">Professional Studies (library media specialist)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/online/masters/school-business-management">School Business Management and Leadership</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.uww.edu/cls/academics/school-psychology">School Psychology</a> (including Ed.S.)</li>
</ul>
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