Program Timeline
The UW-Madison Curriculum & Instruction master’s program for teachers consists of an intensive sequence of courses that aims to have graduates working in classrooms by the next academic year. Throughout the program, students take university courses and engage in fieldwork associated with those courses. In addition to course and fieldwork, students must complete a master’s project to receive their degree.
- World Language programs begin each summer and follow into the academic year. Teaching certification and degree elements are arranged to be completed in the spring semester.
- Secondary content area programs span two summers and an intervening academic year. Certification elements are arranged to be completed in the spring semester, and degree elements are finished in the second summer.
Upon completion of the program, students will have earned a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction and certification to teach their specified subject area(s).
Wisconsin initial teacher certification grade bands
- Secondary education certification includes grades 4 to 12. (Students taught at this level are typically 10-21 years old, corresponding to middle and high school formats). Candidates in secondary education also earn a certification to teach English as a Second Language (ESL), which qualifies them to teach English Language Learners while supporting core academic subject instruction.
- World language certification includes grades PK to 12. (This includes language instruction to all school-age students. In practice, most positions are typically 10-21 years old, corresponding to middle and high school formats).
| Spring semester before program start date | Submit all outstanding grades and/or/documentation related to subject preparation or conditional acceptance. |
| mid-May* | First summer course registration |
| mid-June to mid-August | First summer: campus courses and community-based fieldwork |
| September to mid-January** | Fall semester: campus courses and school-based fieldwork |
| January to mid-June** | Spring semester: courses and fieldwork- full-time student teaching |
| WLE candidates only–> | Spring is the last semester of coursework, and the MS may be completed in the spring semester |
| mid-June to early August* | Second Summer: Coursework and masters project for English, math, science and social studies |
| *Dates will vary (see UW Academic Calendar for official start dates) **Dates will vary by local school district calendars | |
First Summer
COURSEWORK
- EPS 600 Social & Cultural Approaches to Ed Policy (3 credits)
- C&I 675 Educational Linguistics (2 credits)
- C&I 736 Educating Linguistically And Culturally Diverse Learners (2 credits)
- C&I 635/735 Epistemology (Math/Sci) (2 credits)
- OR 535/835 Foundations in Learning (Eng/Soc St) (2 credit)
FIELDWORK
- Community-Based Practicum (3 credits)
The focus of this summer semester includes a field experience in the local community intended to involve program students with adolescents from diverse backgrounds. The university courses present assignments for students to carry out in the practicum sites. Within the content domain, program students will consider how academic subject knowledge is and should be translated into the curriculum.
Fall: Academic Semester 1
COURSEWORK
- C&I 507 Inclusive Education in Secondary Schools (2 credits)
- EdPsy 621 Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts (2 credits)
- C&I XXX Methods & Practice – Content Area (3 credits)
- C&I 729 Classroom Management for Secondary Teachers (1 credit)
Addt’l COURSEWORK for English, math, science and social studies
- C&I 673 Learning Second Languages and Literacy (2 credits)
Addt’l COURSEWORK for world languages
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- C&I 546 – Adv teaching practices of World Languages
FIELDWORK
- School-based Practicum, 1st quarter ( 1 credit)
- Half-Day Student Teaching, 2nd quarter (4 credits)
In this semester, program students are placed in local secondary schools. University courses provide assignments for students in their practicum sites and present concepts useful for understanding schooling, teaching, and students. Topics addressed across all coursework are working with all students, universal curriculum design, understanding contemporary adolescence, and theories of literacy and strategies in learning languages.
Spring: Academic Semester 2
COURSEWORK for English, math, science and social studies
- C&I 674 ESL Methods (3 credits)
- C&I XXX Advanced Methods – Engli (3 credits)
- C&I 675 Seminar (1 credit)
COURSEWORK for world languages
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- C&I 747 Capstone – (3 credits)
- C&I 675 Seminar (1 credit)
FIELDWORK
- Full-Day Student Teaching (8 credits)
Program students will be immersed in a semester of student teaching. University course work provides assignments for students to carry out in their student teaching as well as concepts and practices that will enhance their instructional effectiveness. Each student will also prepare and teach an instructional unit incorporating key teachings of the university courses from both semesters. This unit will also provide evidence used in candidates’ performance assessment portfolio.
SUMMER 2
COURSEWORK – for English, math, science and social studies
- C&I 747 Capstone – Content Area (3 credits)
- ELPA 640 Legal Rights and Responsibilities (1 credit)
- C&I 675 Professional Launch Workshop series (3 credits)
MS Project
In the final summer, students will complete their master’s projects under the direction of their major professors, examining an area of their practice using varied current research. The project will show evidence of reflection and opportunities for further investigation of concepts from previous semesters.
*World Langauge students will engage in this work in the spring semester.