Leading Forward: Educator Preparation Programs
High-quality preparation matters. It impacts retention and persistence in the profession and student outcomes. Effective preparation includes coursework, field experiences, and student teaching.
Educator Preparation Programs
To receive a Tier II or Tier III educator license in Wisconsin, applicants can complete an approved program and demonstrate competency in the Wisconsin Educator Standards. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction approves educator preparation programs leading to licensure at entities including Wisconsin colleges/universities, CESAs, school districts, and private companies.
Under the program approval approach to educator licensing, Wisconsin-approved program completers are granted a license by the Department of Public Instruction based on the endorsement (i.e., recommendation) by the certification officer of the approved program.
If the approved program is offered through one of the thirty-three Wisconsin colleges and universities, the program can lead to a degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, Education Specialist) and/or licensure only based on the licensure program requirements.
If the approved program is offered by an entity that is not a college or university, the candidate in this program must meet the minimal degree requirements prior to admission. These approved programs do not grant a degree.
To search all approved educator preparation programs, use the Find a Prep Program button below to download an Excel spreadsheet. Note: The spreadsheet is updated often. Revisit the link to access the most up-to-date list.
For information about each approved program, please get in touch with the program directly.
- Resources for Educator Preparation Programs
Program Approval
The program approval process is a review of an entity’s educator preparation program. The review process ensures that Wisconsin’s educator preparation programs meet the performance-based standards and statutory and rule requirements specified in Wis. Stat. 118.19 and Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 34. In addition, the process requires that entities develop collaborative relationships with the PK-12 education community to promote continuous improvement throughout an educator’s professional career.
Entities have flexibility under Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 34 to develop distinct preparation programs that reflect their unique missions, goals, and structures. Entities are responsible for providing evidence that their programs prepare educators who can meet the standards established by the State of Wisconsin in Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 34 Subch. III and IV. The evidence is reviewed during the program approval process to ensure that entities have met all program approval requirements of Wis. Admin. Code sec. PI 34.
Program Approval Resources
- Wisconsin Preparation Program Approval Handbook
- PI 34
- PI-1604 EPP Contact Form – Form for changing contact information/user access.
- PI-1605 Alternative Measures for Program Completion Form - Form for approval of the use of alternative measure(s) of completion for a program leading to a license.
- If there is a question or support needed for program approval, or a currently approved program, programs should email their assigned liaison.
Licensing Resources
- Program Certification Officers and Endorsed Candidate for Licensure (ECL) Uploaders can request support from DPI licensing regarding licensing, questions related to licensing forms, the submission process, uploads, or candidate supports, using the Program ECL Uploader & Certification Officer Support Request form.
- Wisconsin Improvement Program (WIP) for Teaching Internship
- License and Assignments
Other Resources
- Annual Educator Licensing Shortage Data Files
- Title II Higher Education Act – U.S. Department of Education website for Title II Higher Education Act.
- Wisconsin Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) – Intracurricular organization exposing students to work-based learning, business and industry networks, and industry-recognized certifications. FCCLA has four career pathways with one specifically focused on developing future educators.
- Educator Preparation and Workforce Analysis Annual Reports
In compliance with Act 166, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) produces an annual report of the state’s educator preparation programs (EPP). The report includes information on program completers and first-time passage rates on state-required performance assessments.
Review details in the latest report:
2023 Educator Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report covers data from 2022-2023 including data on enrollment and completion of educator preparation programs, passage rates on licensure exams, educator recruitment, shortage areas, demographics, salary and fringe, retention, and retirement. Appendix A contains information regarding where teachers who complete programs go on to work in Wisconsin based on locale code.For previous reports:
Annual State Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Reports- Licensure Program Content Guidelines
WI educator preparation programs must demonstrate alignment with national standards or licensure content guidelines as indicated below for program approval. The department uses the standards embedded in Subchapter II of PI 34 and national standards for license subject area content guidelines. Wisconsin content guidelines are utilized when there are no national standards available specific to the license. Educator Preparation Programs should contact their DPI liaison with questions.
Standards and guidelines are grouped below by program type:
Administration content guidelines
National standards should be adopted for the following licenses unless otherwise indicated. The license-specific standards are available using these links.
Educator Preparation Programs should contact their DPI liaison with questions.Pupil Services content guidelines
National standards should be adopted for the following areas. The license-specific national standards are available using these links.
Educator Preparation Programs should contact their DPI liaison with questions.Licenses Content Guidelines School Counselor (7054) Contact your DPI liaison for guidance in adoption:
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Standards for School Counselor Preparation Programs
or
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards:
BOTH Section 3: Foundational Counseling Curriculum and Section 5-H: Entry-Level Specialized Practice Areas, School CounselorSchool Psychologist (7062) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Professional Standards School Social Worker (7050) National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Standards for School Social Work Services Teaching content guidelines
National standards should be adopted for the following areas unless otherwise indicated. The license-specific standards are available using these links.
Educator Preparation Programs should contact their DPI liaison with questions.Looking for content guidelines for supplemental licenses? Jump to that section.
Supplemental license content standards
Licenses Content Guidelines Adaptive Education (1859) WI Content Guidelines for Adaptive Education Adapted Physical Education (1860) Adapted Physical Education National Standards Alternative Education (1952) WI Content Guidelines for Alternative Education Assistive Technology (1858) Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Advanced Specialty Set: Special Education Technology Specialist Bilingual-Bicultural (1023) National Dual Language Education Teacher Preparation Standards (NDLETPS) Coaching Athletics (1540) Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America Standards for Sport Coaches Driver Education (1450, 1455) Contact your DPI liaison for guidance:
PI 34.080 requirementsGifted and Talented (1014) National Association for Gifted Children/Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted and Talented Education Standards Reading Teacher (1316) International Literacy Association Standards: Reading Literacy Specialist Set