Education at Lakeland University

Positively Impact the Future

The education program at Lakeland is committed to providing aspiring teachers with the skills and practical experiences they need to thrive in the classroom. Beyond skills and knowledge, though, the program helps Lakeland students to develop into teachers who are caring and reflective, teachers who address the needs of all children.

Upon completion of an undergraduate Education program, it will lead to an endorsement for a teaching license from the state of Wisconsin. For more information about each program, please click the link(s) below.

Business degree at Lakeland University
Formats

Main Campus (Full-Time) Six Centers 100% Online Online Live BlendEd Live

Cooperative Education

Special Education & CESA 7

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Education at Lakeland University

Earn Your Education Degree at Lakeland University

You're inspired to benefit society and positively impact the future of humanity. You strive to make a difference in the lives of children for years to come. By becoming a teacher, you will accomplish these things, while contributing to one of the world's oldest – and most important – professions.

The education program at Lakeland is committed to providing aspiring teachers with the skills and practical experiences they need to thrive in the classroom. Beyond skills and knowledge, though, the program helps Lakeland students to develop into teachers who are caring and reflective, teachers who address the needs of all children.

Lakeland’s education program strives to meet the professional, practical, and personal needs of future teachers. First, our students receive all the coursework, knowledge, and assistance they will need to exceed Wisconsin’s requirements for teaching certification. Second, they receive the pedagogical tools and practical experiences that starting teachers need in order to succeed in their own classrooms. Finally, and most importantly, our education majors are encouraged to develop their own voice and teaching style through continual hands-on engagement with the teaching process.


If you have already completed the Foundations of Teacher Education Program or the Early Childhood Education Program through one of the technical colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System, our K-9 program — offered via our evening and online program — is ideal for you, and you may be eligible for one tuition-free course and a 20% tuition discount. Other students interested in the K-9 Education Program are encouraged to reach out to one of our admissions advisors to discuss whether their experiences and academic backgrounds would be suitable to the completion of the K-9 Education Program.

What Makes Our Education Program Unique?

  • Customized advising provides students the ability to work closely with professors throughout their academic career at Lakeland and have the ability to graduate within four years.
  • Lakeland University’s ideal location(s) offer students field observation and student teaching experiences in a variety of school districts.
  • Lakeland’s master’s in education program allows students to continue advanced education in their major and network with education professionals.
  • Lakeland's Residency Initiative allows students to take classes and complete field experiences at various school sites.
  • Students have the option to add on the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education License.
  • Education majors can choose from a variety of subject areas, such as: English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
Download Education Student Handbook

Wisconsin Educator Licensing

Lakeland's DPI approved education program will usher you into the classroom, fully prepared for a rewarding career.

In order to receive an educator license in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires applicants to demonstrate competency in the basic skills of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, as well as in the content knowledge of their specific license area. Tests and passing scores are approved by the State Superintendent.

Wisconsin Administrative Cod3 PI 34 requires that all students applying for admission to an educator preparation program in a Wisconsin college/university or alternative program must pass/demonstrate basic skills in reading, writing, and math. 

For Lakeland’s K-9 Program, students can demonstrate basic skills in reading, writing, and math in the following ways:

  • Reading: Grade equivalent of 11 or higher on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test OR a score of 156 or higher on the Praxis Core Reading Test
  • Writing: Grade of BC or higher in GEN 110 – Composition I: Academic Writing OR a score of 25 or higher on the ACT English subsection OR a score of 162 or higher on the Praxis Core Writing Test
  • Mathematics: Grade of BC or higher in MAT 140 – Advanced Algebra OR a score of 24 or higher on the ACT Math subsection OR a score of 150 or higher on the Praxis Core Mathematics Test

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics are the state's approved basic skills tests. Qualifying scores are

TestPassing Score
Reading (5712)156
Writing (5722)162
Mathematics (5732)150

All candidates who complete their educator preparation programs in a Wisconsin college/university or alternative program after August 31, 2004, are required to complete and pass subject area tests for their licensure area to qualify for a Wisconsin educator license. There is no waiver for the subject area test requirement for each candidate’s licensure area. The subject area test requirements also apply to educators returning to complete a new licensure area (e.g., subject) after August 31, 2004.

  • Praxis II
    Praxis II content knowledge tests are required for all teaching and pupil services candidates (except School Social Worker) enrolled in Wisconsin educator preparation programs in any subject other than world languages.
  • Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test
    Effective January 31, 2014, applicants for initial licensure as an elementary teacher (grades K-5, EC, EC-MC, MC-EA), a special education teacher, a reading teacher, or reading specialist must receive a passing score of 240 or higher on the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test. Any licensed teacher wanting to add one or more of these areas to their license must also pass the test.
  • ACTFL World Language Tests
    ACTFL World Language Tests are required for all world language teacher candidates. Wisconsin requires both the Oral Proficiency interview (OPI-OPIc) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). The qualifying score for licensure in Wisconsin on both tests is "Intermediate High."

All student teacher candidates must complete the edTPA to be endorsed for licensure. The edTPA is a multiple measure assessment system aligned to state and national standards, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

  • It assesses teaching behaviors that focus on student learning, centered on the core practices of teaching: planning, instruction, and assessment.
  • This authentic, classroom-based assessment occurs during the student teaching experience and requires the candidate to submit a portfolio of artifacts related to teaching a series of connected lessons. The artifacts include video clips of candidate’s teaching, lesson plans, assessments, student work samples, analysis of student learning, and reflective commentaries.
  • The portfolio is submitted for external scoring by a national edTPA calibrated scorer.

Beginning in Fall 2016, ALL student teacher candidates will complete the edTPA during student teaching and must post a passing score on the edTPA to complete a program and be endorsed for Wisconsin licensure.

For more information regarding these testing requirements, please contact a member of the Education Division.

Addressing Shortage Of Special Education Teachers

Lakeland University and Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA 7) have partnered together to address the shortage of special education teachers by creating a new pathway for Lakeland education majors to earn a special education teaching license.

The partnership allows Lakeland students pursuing a K-9 teaching license to add a K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education license by completing four special education elective courses through CESA 7 and a student teaching experience through Lakeland.

Students who graduate with both licenses have more options when applying for teaching jobs, especially in areas of high need for most school districts.

Graduates will be licensed to teach in a regular education setting in grades kindergarten through 9, and in school districts that provides services to pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 with intellectual, emotional-behavioral, specific learning or other disabilities.

Why Lakeland?

There’s more than one way to get a college education and Lakeland offers them all. Lakeland University students have access to a variety of pathways, and each one can be customized to meet your needs. Since our founding in 1862, Lakeland University has been a leader in finding ways to help students make their dreams come true.

  • Traditional, main campus located in Sheboygan Co.
  • Six Centers located throughout the state of Wisconsin.
  • Flexible delivery formats:
    • Onsite: In class one night per week at one of our six center locations
    • Online: participate weekly when it works best for you
    • Online Live: attend live classes virtually from anywhere one night per week
    • BlendEd Live: attend classes in-person or online … you choose each week
  • Transfer up to 90-credits
  • Financial aid, scholarships and discounts are available
  • Individualized advising and career development support
  • Award-winning Cooperative Education program allows students to earn college credit for professional work experiences
Apply Now

ACT 166 Annual Report

Per Act 166, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is required to produce an annual report of the State’s educator preparation programs (EPP). The report includes information on program completers, their first-time pass rates on the required performance assessments, and employment data. The following link provides a copy of the annual report.

First Time Freshman

  • Step 1: Complete an application online.
  • Step 2: Submit official high school transcripts directly to Lakeland University.

Transfer Students

  • Step 1: Complete an application online.
  • Step 2: Request official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended to be sent directly to Lakeland University.
    • Students who have NOT completed 12 transferrable credits MUST submit official high school transcripts.

Our K-9 Program, offered via one of our evening and online program, is ideal for students who have completed the Foundations of Teacher Education Program or the Early Childhood Education Program through one of the technical colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College System. Students who have completed this program are eligible for one tuition-free course and a 20% tuition discount.

Other students interested in the K-9 Education Program are encouraged to reach out to one of our admissions advisors to discuss whether their experiences and academic backgrounds would be suitable to the completion of the K-9 Education Program.

Apply Now

You may apply at any time as Lakeland University operates on a rolling admission basis with 6 start dates throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed until about two weeks before the start of each term.

Main-Campus (Full-Time)
Evening/Online (Adult)

Admission Requirements

Once your application is received, your Lakeland University admissions counselor will be in touch.

  • Lakeland University accepts a high school diploma with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above or the equivalent of a high school diploma.
  • Lakeland University accepts transfer students who have earned at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and are in good standing at other accredited institutions of higher learning.
  • We review each application on an individual basis.

*Exceptions to the above admission criteria may be granted for students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.75 to 1.99 if the academic experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than two years ago. Furthermore, typically students with a cumulative GPA range from 1.50 to 1.75 will only be considered if the poor academic performance experience that resulted in the less than 2.0 GPA was more than five years ago. Students receiving an exception will be admitted conditionally.

Meet Our Education Faculty

Academic Affairs |
Main Campus (Traditional) |

John Yang, Ph.D.

Professor of Education, Director of Center for Teacher Excellence

Main Campus (Traditional) |
Roxanne Parker

Roxanne Parker

Assistant Professor of Education

Special Education

Our curriculum is designed to prepare teachers for the diverse K-12 learning environment. Coursework is developed to help students make data-based decisions, help with specialized instruction and interventions, provide behavioral support, promote project-based learning ... and more!

Through a contractual partnership with Cooperative Educational Service Agency 7 (CESA 7) and in consultation with the program director, students completing all the requirements for the K-9 license can add on the K-12 Cross-Categorical Special Education license by successfully completing the following four elective courses through CESA 7 and an appropriate student teaching experience through Lakeland:

  • EDU 386 – Introduction to Special Education
  • EDU 387 – My Role in Educating Students with Special Needs
  • EDU 388 – Special Education Practices and Application
  • EDU 389 – Data-Driven Decision-Making for Special Education Students

Contact us to learn more about the Education degree at Lakeland University.

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