School of Education

Additional Graduation Requirements and Degree Audit: Elementary Education

Students must complete all requirements and also obtain the endorsement of the program faculty to receive certification through UW-Madison. The State of Wisconsin requires that anyone wishing to teach in a public K-12 setting hold a valid teaching license issued through the Department of Public Instruction. In addition to completing a certification program, students must submit a separate application for this license. Requirements below are based on UW-Madison course work.

• 2.5 cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average across all professional education courses (excluding practicum and student teaching).
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in the major.
• 2.75 cumulative grade point average in the minor.
• Minimum 120 credits (degree candidates only). Most students will need more than the minimum to complete all requirements.
• Major residency: Degree candidates must complete at least 15 credits of upper-level major course work (numbered 300-699) in residence on the UW-Madison campus.
• Senior residency: Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW-Madison campus. Student teaching and practicum are considered part of the 30 credits.

Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)

The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) is an automated reflection of a student's academic progress toward completion of a degree. A DARS report shows which requirements have already been completed and which requirements remain unsatisfied. It can offer suggestions about appropriate courses that may be taken to meet specific requirements.

DARS reports are currently available to most students in the School of Education; additional degree programs become available as they are developed. Students should check their DARS reports through My UW-Madison whenever a registration change (i.e., adding or dropping a class) is made. In addition, students can request a "what-if" DARS report through My UW-Madison. This feature makes it possible to select any number of programs and/or majors on campus and run a DARS report as if pursing this option. It is an excellent tool for students considering new or additional areas of study. The "what-if" DARS report can be located on the My UW-Madison site under "Student Center."

DARS is not intended to replace student contact with academic advisers. It encourages a more beneficial relationship between student and adviser because valuable advising time is not lost calculating how courses and credits fit into requirements. The quick and thorough analysis provided by DARS allows more time in an advising appointment to discuss course options, research opportunities, graduate school, or issues of personal interest or concern to students. DARS is the document of record, i.e., certifying document of degree completion, for most program areas in the School of Education.