Transfer Students
Application Procedures to School of Education Professional Programs
Agriculture Education; Family, Consumer, and Community Education; and Music Education
Completing a Double Major
Earning Two Undergraduate Degrees Simultaneously
Reentry
Students with a Previous Degree
Students are admitted into the School of Education in one of two ways: either directly into a professional program or with one of the school's pre professional classifications. Students with a pre-professional classification such as PRE (Pre-Elementary Education) or PKN (Pre-Kinesiology) have indicated an interest in a particular professional program, but are not yet eligible for admission to this program. Freshmen, sophomores, and many transfer students and returning adults are first admitted to the School of Education with a pre-professional classification. See each program area for admission information as a "pre." Art students are admitted directly into the professional program, while Dance students are initially admitted by audition; no additional application is required at a later date.
All teacher certification programs and all limited-enrollment programs require applicants to meet basic eligibility requirements before being considered for admission. These eligibility requirements vary by program and may include minimum grade point average, minimum total credits, minimum standardized test scores, submission of an essay or minimum credits in the major. Most School of Education programs require students to have at least junior standing before admission. For limited enrollment programs, meeting these eligibility requirements or prior admission with a pre-professional classification does not guarantee admission to a program. Limited enrollment programs generally admit eligible applicants once a year. See each program area for eligibility and program admission information.
Transfer students from other colleges and universities must apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for applying for fall and summer session admission is February 1; the deadline to apply for spring semester admission is October 1. Off-campus transfer students must be admitted to UW-Madison and will need to meet transfer admission expectations, see www.admissions.wisc.edu for additional information and transfer application.
Transfer course equivalencies are determined by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions; credits from other colleges are evaluated by Admissions only after students have filed an application to transfer to UW-Madison. Students transferring from other University of Wisconsin System schools may wish to consult the UW-System Transfer Information System (TIS) at www.uwsa.edu/tis/ for additional transfer assistance.
Students wishing to transfer directly into a professional program must also meet the application deadlines for the program of interest. Many professional programs admit students once a year and have a deadline of February or March 1. The deadline to apply for Art Education is October 1. See each program area for eligibility, deadlines, and other program admission information. Transfer students admitted to UW-Madison, but not yet eligible to apply to a professional program, may be admitted with a pre-professional classification.
All transfer and reentry students seeking admission to a School of Education program must submit a UW undergraduate application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, see above. Transfer students must be admitted to UW-Madison to be eligible for School of Education program admission.
Students accepted into B.S-Art and either of the Dance options through the audition process are admitted directly into the professional program. Applicants to all other School of Education professional programs must submit a School of Education program application to Education Academic Services, B117 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706, currently by March 1 for the following fall semester. Note: This deadline may change to February 1 in the near future. Application must be made by February 1 for students applying to the Kinesiology-Athletic Training and Exercise and Movement Science program options. Art Education applicants have a deadline of October 1. Most programs admit students once a year; see specific program requirements. Applications to limited enrollment programs are available from Education Academic Services beginning in October, and January 1 for Art Education. Some programs require that the application form be signed by the faculty advisor, often in conjunction with a conference with that advisor. Students seeking admission to multiple professional programs must submit a separate program application for each program. Program application deadlines are strictly enforced and applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Disclosure statement. Applicants to School of Education programs that involve a practicum, internship, or other field placement must complete a disclosure statement indicating (1) whether they have been admitted to, then withdrawn from, asked to withdraw from, or been dropped from a student teaching, clinical experience, or other intern/practicum program, and (2) if they have ever been placed on probation or disciplined by any college or university for academic dishonesty.
Criminal Background Investigation (CBI). Criminal background investigations will be conducted for all students admitted to UW-Madison School of Education programs that include field experiences. Currently, these programs are Kinesiology, Rehabilitation Psychology, and all teacher certification programs.
CBIs will be initiated only for students who accept admission into these programs. Information may also be requested from criminal justice departments in other states. The results of the criminal background checks may be shared with other agencies when required by state code, or when requested by a cooperating school or other agency in which the student has been assigned to complete field experiences. Students should be aware that criminal background checks may be initiated by other agencies or organizations when they are seeking employment or a professional license.
Program applicants must submit transcripts of all college work completed outside UW-Madison. Application packets received without full transcripts will not be processed. See specific program information for transcript submission deadlines.
Most programs require applicants to have earned a minimum number of total credits to be eligible for admission. This number varies among programs. Some programs also require applicants to have earned a specific number of credits in the major for eligibility, while other programs require a specific set or sequence of courses to be completed. See specific program information in this catalog.
All programs require applicants to earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all transferable college-level course work attempted to be eligible for admission. ("Attempted" course work indicates course work for which a grade has been earned.) These minimum grade point averages vary, but most programs require at least a 2.5 GPA. In addition, some programs require a minimum grade point average for all Madison campus course work attempted. Some programs require applicants to have earned a minimum GPA in certain specified course work, such as required work in the major or specific pre-professional course work. Students admitted to limited enrollment professional programs generally have grade point averages well above the minimum.
Two grade point averages will be calculated to determine candidates' eligibility and selection to programs. GPAs will be calculated using (1) all transferable college level course work attempted, and (2) the last 60 credits attempted. The higher GPA of these two will be used for purposes of admission. If fewer than 60 credits have been attempted, all credits will be used to calculate the GPA. Graded graduate course work will also be used in all GPA calculations. ("Attempted" course work indicates course work for which a grade has been earned.)
The use of the last 60 credits does not supersede other eligibility requirements. For example, when a minimum GPA on prerequisite courses is required, or a minimum major GPA is required to be eligible for admission, all required courses will be used in calculating this GPA. This will include courses taken prior to the last 60 credits. A cumulative GPA, however, will still be calculated based on the last 60 college credits attempted.
Currently, retention and graduation GPAs are based on all credits attempted at UW-Madison as an undergraduate student. If each semester's GPA after admission to the program meets the required GPA for retention, the student will be allowed to continue and complete the program.
Contact EAS for additional information regarding the interpretation of this policy.
This policy does not apply to certification programs in Agriculture Education, Family and Consumer Science, and Music Education, in which the degree is granted from another school or college on campus.
Also known as the Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments, the PPST is a basic skills test offered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and required for admission to all state teacher preparation programs by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Designed to measure reading, writing, and mathematics skills, the PPST is available in two formats, paper-based and computer-based. The paper-based format is currently given on the UW-Madison campus. A fee is required of the student to take either format of the test. State minimum scores on the PPST/Praxis I are Reading, 175; Mathematics, 173; and Writing, 174. While all applicants must submit scores, applicants who have not earned minimum scores will be considered for admission to some program areas.
Find important registration information at the ETS Web site, ets.org/praxis/index.html, and additional details at the EAS Web page, www.education.wisc.edu/eas/share_dir/admissions/ppst.htm. Important note: The UW-Madison School of Education's institutional recipient code is 1846; use of another code will prevent Education Academic Services from receiving scores.
For applicants to the Elementary and Special Education programs, PPST scores must be reported by Educational Testing Service to Education Academic Services by March 15 for students to be considered for fall admission. Art Education applicants must have the scores to EAS by October 1. PPST scores for other programs must be reported by ETS to EAS by June 15 for students to be considered for admission. These deadlines can change; see program materials. If the PPST is taken more than once, the most recent score on any subtest will be used for selection.
Applicants may be asked to submit personal essays, volunteer field experience verification forms, or other documents as part of the admission process. Other documents may include a resume, letters of recommendation, academic papers, or autobiographical sketch. See each program's specific requirements in this catalog and program handouts available in Education Academic Services.
School of Education faculty determine criteria for admission to programs; these criteria may differ substantially from program to program.
Once the pool of eligible applicants is determined, Education Academic Services staff and program faculty analyze materials and apply the criteria to ascertain those offered admission. Selected applicants will receive a letter offering admission to the program. Applicants must confirm acceptance of the offer of admission to Education Academic Services by a specified date.
In response to new requirements for teacher education programs, each student's technology skills will be assessed at the time of admission to a teacher education program. This assessment will have no bearing on the selection process. The School of Education will use this information to provide technological assistance and support for students.
Eligible applicants who are denied admission will receive a denial letter and be placed on a waiting list. Those placed on a waiting list should contact Education Academic Services to verify their status. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply if they wish to be considered during the next admission period. No special consideration is given to previous applicants, regardless of their position on a waiting list for a previous application period.
Students interested in agriculture education; family, consumer, and community education; and music education will enroll in a joint program leading to teacher certification in the School of Education and a degree from another school or college. Students should first apply to the home school or college (e.g., College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, College of Letters and Science, or School of Human Ecology) and then apply at Education Academic Services, B117 Education Building, for joint registration with the School of Education during the semester when 54 credits will be completed. Requirements for joint registration are:
Students jointly enrolled in a School of Education professional certification program and another school or college in the university must comply with the policies, rules, and regulations of the home school or college. The School of Education has responsibility for the professional education component of programs, including professional education course work, multicultural education and human relations, and field experiences. All other administrative matters, including advising, are handled by the home school or college. Graduation requirements include the general degree and major area requirements as outlined by the home school or college, and certification requirements of the appropriate program within the School of Education.
School of Education students may complete an additional major in another school or college, if acceptable to both schools/colleges. For instance, students may complete a degree program in the School of Education and a major in the College of Letters and Science. This option provides opportunities for study in additional areas of interest or in areas that complement degree work in Education. Many students in School of Education degree programs take advantage of this policy by completing an additional L&S major.
To declare a major, students should go to the office of the department in which they expect to declare a major. A Major/Certificate Declaration form must be completed, signed by the appropriate representative of the department, and brought to Education Academic Services, B117 Education Building. If the request is acceptable, an academic action will be taken granting permission to pursue the second major while enrolled in a School of Education degree program. Students pursuing a major in Secondary Education (e.g., English, Geography, Math) cannot declare the same area of study as an additional major in the College of Letters and Science.
School of Education students interested in completing another School of Education degree program, or an area of study housed in in another school or college on campus must complete all of the requirements for both degrees. This includes breadth requirements (liberal studies requirements), major courses, and related disciplinary work. Most professional schools/colleges on campus (including the School of Education) offer only full degree programs; students cannot declare a double major in the second area of study, as in the College of Letters and Science. Thus, a student interested in a degree program in CALS and a degree in art must complete requirements for both degrees.
Whenever a student wishes to earn two undergraduate degrees simultaneously, the following academic policies shall be followed.
Please note that, while this policy theoretically permits students in the School of Education to complete dual degrees, some campus schools and colleges do not permit dual degrees for their students. The College of Letters and Science, for instance, while permitting double majors, does not permit dual degrees, thus preventing Education degree combinations with journalism or music.
Students wishing to reenter UW-Madison after an absence of a semester or more must file a reentry application form. This form is available from the UW-Madison Office of Undergraduate Admissions. If an applicant is not in good academic standing, the reentry application will be referred to the appropriate dean for readmission.
Students admitted to the professional part of a program may leave UW-Madison for a maximum of two consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions) and be eligible to reenter directly into the program. Students in this situation are not guaranteed immediate placement in a practicum or student teaching placement upon reentry, and graduation may be delayed because of prior commitments to continuing students.
Students who leave the program for more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions) may be considered for readmission only on an individual basis. Lack of space in a program may preclude readmission directly into a program for any future semester. Given the individual circumstances, a student may be required to reapply to the program altogether.
The general policy above may be modified by any particular program so that the conditions of reentry match the structure of the professional program. Some programs require that students obtain prior approval to interrupt the program sequence. All students intending to be absent should leave with a firm understanding of the conditions guiding their reentry into their professional program. Please consult with the appropriate faculty advisor and with Education Academic Services.
Persons who already hold an undergraduate degree are admitted to the School of Education as either an Education Special student or a Second Degree student, depending on their interests and academic background. The term Special student indicates that the student has an interest in pursuing certification in a subject area studied during the initial degree; the student does not receive a degree for this "certification only" course work. Second Degree students are seeking a second, unrelated degree from the School of Education, which may, or may not, include teacher certification. Candidates for limited enrollment programs must meet all admission eligibility requirements for the program and must compete with the eligible applicants for program admission.
Special students. Applicants must file an undergraduate application with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Education Special students not yet admitted to a professional program are given an EDS classification, are not eligible for financial aid, and enroll last with the other special students on campus. Candidates seeking Special student status in open enrollment programs must obtain written permission for admission from the relevant program coordinator and must submit a professional program application to Education Academic Services. Candidates seeking admission to a limited enrollment program must meet all admission eligibility requirements for the program and must compete with other eligible candidates for program admission. Applicants admitted to a certification professional program become Education Certification Special students (EDCS classification) to distinguish them from Special students not so admitted. Students with an EDCS classification may be eligible for financial aid. Continuing EDCS students may register with undergraduates having junior status.
Second degree candidates. Students who wish to earn a second baccalaureate degree in the School of Education must file an undergraduate application with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and must file a professional program application with Education Academic Services. Second Degree students not yet admitted to a professional program are given a pre professional classification. Second degree candidates must:
The determination of whether a student should be admitted as a second degree candidate or Education Special student is made by the faculty advisor after analyzing the student's remaining requirements. The faculty advisor will determine the specific remaining requirements for students admitted to a program. In addition to completing the requirements specific to the program(s) of interest, returning students must also complete any relevant campus-wide requirements, complete the requirements specific to individual program areas such as the Environmental Education, Multicultural and Human Relations, and Cooperatives requirements, and satisfy any high school deficiencies identified at the time of admission to UW-Madison. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their academic plans with the faculty advisor.