- Teacher Certification Map
- Become a Teacher in Wisconsin
Certification Roadmap
Click buttons to jump to section Wisconsin Certification Requirements Wisconsin Prerequisite Coursework Wisconsin Teacher Preparation Wisconsin Required Tests Wisconsin Certification Reciprocity Wisconsin Teacher Salary Teacher Certification Information & Links
Wisconsin Highlights
This page is sponsored by Rossier Online, a master level teaching degree program delivered online that enables you to earn a Master’s degree and teaching credential. Learn more about how the University of Southern California can help you become a transformative teacher in Wisconsin.
To become a certified teacher in Wisconsin, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
Certification Requirements
Important Note: Education licensure requirements and salary statistics (for teachers and administrators) are subject to change. CertificationMap.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 1/06/2015
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires candidates pursuing their initial teaching license to meet the following requirements (unless otherwise noted):
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an accredited institution
- Complete a state-approved educator preparation program and meet all state testing requirements
- Satisfactory background check results
Visit Wisconsin’s Educator Licensing department for more information regarding license types and requirements.
Master’s Requirements
Did you know that 33 states require teachers to have a master’s degree to stay certified in teaching?
Many schools of education now offer online MAT programs that provide increased flexibility by allowing aspiring or working teachers to attend class and complete coursework from any location that has an Internet connection. Online MAT programs are a practical option for students who have professional and personal commitments that make it difficult to obtain teaching certification through a full-time program.
The best online programs offer the same curriculum as the school’s on-campus program and apply the same admission requirements. Providing students with the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates in a face-to-face online environment is another hallmark of a good online program. In addition, candidates in online MAT programs should be provided with the opportunity to complete student teaching fieldwork in the local community.
Click to learn more about getting your MAT online with USC Rossier School of Education.
Wisconsin Teacher Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Wisconsin, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
Wisconsin Teacher Preparation
Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. Information about alternative certification in Wisconsin can be found here!
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers exclusive to the State of Wisconsin, visit our Wisconsin Teacher Scholarships page.
Wisconsin Required Tests
All applicants pursuing their initial teaching license in Wisconsin are required to successfully complete a Basic Skills Assessment (PPST) and any required Content Area assessments.
Basic Skills Assessment
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
175 |
Praxis I Reading |
All applicants are required to successfully complete Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) |
Content Area Assessment
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
147 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Early Childhood Education |
|
146 |
Middle School: Content Knowledge |
Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence |
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Special Education Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
146 |
Middle School: Content Knowledge |
Cognitive Disabilities |
|
147 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge |
Early Childhood Special Education |
|
153 |
Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
Broad Field Social Studies |
|
600 |
Speech-Language Pathology |
Speech & Language Pathologist |
Visit Wisconsin’s Praxis Requirements for a complete list of available assessments
| Qualifying Score | Required Test(s) | Early Adolescence – Adolescence Certification |
|---|---|---|
|
154 |
General Science: Content Knowledge |
Biology |
|
160 |
English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge |
Broad Field Language Arts |
|
153 |
Social Studies: Content Knowledge |
Broad Field Social Studies |
|
135 |
Mathematics: Content Knowledge |
Mathematics |
Wisconsin Certification Reciprocity
Wisconsin will accept some teaching credentials from all but the following states: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
Wisconsin Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: Wisconsin provides differential pay support for teachers teaching in high needs schools
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: Wisconsin has limited to weak induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: $52,110
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: $51,040
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in Wisconsin makes 134% of the salary of the average worker in Wisconsin
- Average Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: 15
Applying for Certification
Education K-12 Listings
This service provides potential Wisconsin educators with access to available education jobs within the Wisconsin public school district. Applicants are able to view printable listings or search and apply directly through WI’s job search.
Wisconsin Substitute Teacher Requirements
Please click here to learn more about how to become a substitute teacher in Wisconsin.
Contact Information
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Educator Licensing, Drawer 794
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53293
800-441-4563 – Contact
Additional links
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Wisconsin Teacher Tenure
- Troops to Teachers Wisconsin: In Wisconsin, Troops to Teachers is managed by theLewis and Clark Region Office
- Teachers Test Prep: Free online Praxis Study Guides and Praxis Practice Tests, and a variety of preparation options to meet your individual needs, including prep classes, private tutoring, and online prep.
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