Education

Mount Mary University prepares you to succeed as a teacher by providing you important coursework and hands-on experience working with children in a variety of grade levels and subject areas throughout the program. You’ll also get to use the latest presentation and research technologies.

During your final semester, you will complete a student teaching experience that consists of teaching children all day, every day for a full semester.

Areas of Teacher Training & Licensing

Mount Mary offers the following education curriculum paths to prepare you for licensure in the area you’re interested in:

Early Childhood through Middle Childhood - approximate levels from PreKindergarten through 6th grade in all subject areas. A teaching minor is recommended.

Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence—This certification allows you to work with students from ages 6-13 (typically grades 1 through 8) in all subject areas. Students pursuing this license are required to choose a minor from: English, mathematics, Spanish, bilingual Spanish, science or social studies.

Early Childhood through Adolescence—This certification allows you to teach art or Spanish in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Early Adolescence through Adolescence—General coursework combined with specialization in a chosen discipline prepare you to work with students in middle and high school. For licensure in this area, you must complete the degree requirements of the education program, including the requirements for the subject area of your specialization.

Licensure is available in the following areas:

• English/Language Arts
• Science
• Social Studies
• Mathematics

Note: Religious studies education is a major at Mount Mary, but the state of Wisconsin does not offer a license for this major.

You also may choose to minor in one of the following subjects: English, history, journalism, political science, bilingual Spanish, Spanish or speech communication.

Teaching Licensure Preparation

Mount Mary’s education programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI), which is the state agency that licenses teachers. The programs are reviewed annually and education faculty meet regularly with a WDPI liaison and state organizations to remain on the forefront of evolving requirements in the profession.

The WDPI requires you to have passing scores on several exams (CORE, Praxis II, Foundations of Reading Test) and a portfolio demonstrating teaching proficiency (edTPA) in order to be licensed and to ensure all teachers are prepared to serve all children in their care.

Education Certificate Requirements

If you hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and wish to become a licensed teacher, you can pursue a post-baccalaureate certification/licensure in education. Learn more. 

Faculty

The School of Arts and Sciences at Mount Mary is rich with talented faculty who care about their students.

Courses and degree requirements: Mount Mary offers a bachelor’s degree in education. You will receive a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree, depending on the certification you seek.

Education courses are offered primarily in the evenings. Undergraduate core courses or courses in an area of specialization may be offered during the daytime, evening or online. Summer classes also are available.

Credit requirements to earn a degree vary, depending on the certification you seek. All students are required to complete fieldwork and student teaching, and fulfill the university’s core curriculum requirements. Specific requirements must be met prior to student teaching.

See degree requirements and a listing of courses for all education paths in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Additionally, see education program rules, policies and procedures in the Education Handbook.

Education program admission procedure: The education program has different admission requirements than what is required for general admission to Mount Mary University. To pursue an education program, you must first apply online to Mount Mary University.

After you are accepted to Mount Mary and complete the requirements below, you also must apply separately to the education program. For admission to the education program you are required to:

• have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale consisting of at least 40 credits of college-level coursework
• achieve acceptable performance on CORE (Core Academic Skills for Educators in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in your teaching major or minor
• demonstrate proficiency in writing, speaking and listening skills
• complete departmental forms, including the Education Application for Admission, Background Verification Form and Criminal Background Check Form (These forms will be provided to you by the education program.)
• have personal qualities essential to successful teaching
• have developed an acceptable initial portfolio

Contact your admission counselor for more information.

For information about the Mount Mary students' performance and employment, see the Wisconsin Educator Preparation Program Annual Reports. 

Teachers are in high demand in the Milwaukee area, especially in the areas of mathematics, science and bilingual education.

The median salary for teachers nationwide is about $51,000 annually. Beginning salaries for teachers in Wisconsin range from $25,000 to $41,000, depending on the school and/or district. With an advanced degree, you also could pursue a career as a principal or administrator.

Professional Development

After you complete your degree and become a licensed teacher, you may want to continue your professional development. You can enroll at Mount Mary as a special student, as a student pursuing a Waldorf Teacher Certification or 316 Reading License, or as part of our Master of Arts in Education degree program. Many Mount Mary continuing education courses are offered in evenings, on weekends or in the summer.

You can get involved in several student clubs or organizations at Mount Mary University, including clubs that are education-specific or related to your major or minor area of study.

Student Education Association

The Student Education Association (SEA) offers activities to address needs of local schools and provides education opportunities outside of class for group members. Mount Mary’s SEA chapter is charted by and affiliated with the National Education Association and the Wisconsin Education Association Council. SEA membership is open to students who are preparing to teach, and involves paying dues, receiving publications, and attending workshops or other events.

Contact Kristin Whyte, whytek@mtmary.edu, faculty adviser, for more information on joining this club.