Education
Make a Lasting Difference in the Lives of Others. Teaching is among the most critically important occupations, and educators are responsible for shaping positive learning experiences for their students. At Mount Mary University, we’ve been educating women to become teachers since 1913. Our undergraduate education program prepares you to meet the challenges of today’s elementary, middle and high school classrooms, and is created for both pre-service and in-service teachers.
Our program outcomes were developed from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Ten Standards for Teacher Development and Licensure, and the demands of the state-mandated assessment requirements. We provide you with practical experience for success every step of the way!
Our programs include early childhood (birth to grade 3), elementary/middle school (kindergarten through grade 9), English and language arts (grades 4-12), mathematics (grades 4-12), science (grades 4-12), social studies (grades 4-12), art (kindergarten to grade 12), Cross-Categorical Special Education (kindergarten through grade 12), English as a Second Language (kindergarten through grade 12), Spanish (kindergarten through grade 12) and certification in bilingual education.
A concentration in Educational Studies is also offered, which provides a background in educational topics but does not prepare students for a teaching license.
Mount Mary offers the following Education majors to prepare you for licensure in a variety of areas:
Early Childhood Education: A license in this area allows you to work with children from birth through 3rd Grade in all subject areas.
K-12 and English as a Second Language: This certification allows you to teach art, Spanish or Cross-Categorical Special Education in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Middle/High School: General coursework combined with specialization in a chosen discipline prepares you to work with students in middle and high school (grades 4-12). 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 English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies. Note: Religious studies education is a major at Mount Mary, but the state of Wisconsin does not offer a license for this major.
View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Education program.
Learn MoreEducation
Make a Lasting Difference in the Lives of Others. Teaching is among the most critically important occupations, and educators are responsible for shaping positive learning experiences for their students. At Mount Mary University, we’ve been educating women to become teachers since 1913. Our undergraduate education program prepares you to meet the challenges of today’s elementary, middle and high school classrooms, and is created for both pre-service and in-service teachers.
Our program outcomes were developed from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Ten Standards for Teacher Development and Licensure, and the demands of the state-mandated assessment requirements. We provide you with practical experience for success every step of the way!
Our programs include early childhood (birth to grade 3), elementary/middle school (kindergarten through grade 9), English and language arts (grades 4-12), mathematics (grades 4-12), science (grades 4-12), social studies (grades 4-12), art (kindergarten to grade 12), Cross-Categorical Special Education (kindergarten through grade 12), English as a Second Language (kindergarten through grade 12), Spanish (kindergarten through grade 12) and certification in bilingual education.
A concentration in Educational Studies is also offered, which provides a background in educational topics but does not prepare students for a teaching license.
Mount Mary offers the following Education majors to prepare you for licensure in a variety of areas:
Early Childhood Education: A license in this area allows you to work with children from birth through 3rd Grade in all subject areas.
K-12 and English as a Second Language: This certification allows you to teach art, Spanish or Cross-Categorical Special Education in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Middle/High School: General coursework combined with specialization in a chosen discipline prepares you to work with students in middle and high school (grades 4-12). 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 English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies. Note: Religious studies education is a major at Mount Mary, but the state of Wisconsin does not offer a license for this major.
View a sample program plan to see what courses you'll take in our Education program.
During your senior year, you will participate in a full-time student teaching experience. Prior to student teaching, you must complete approximately 100 hours of approved clinical experience, which includes working in diverse classroom situations. All students must clear a criminal background check prior to participating in classroom experiences or student teaching.
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.
Our programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI), the state agency that licenses teachers. The WDPI requires you to have a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA to be endorsed for a license.
If you are seeking a license in Early Childhood, Elementary/Middle School Education, or Cross-Categorical Special Education you must successfully complete the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). Those seeking a license in Spanish or bilingual education must successfully complete The ACTFL oral and written exams. If you maintain a B or better GPA in your major, no other exams are required.
The programs are reviewed annually, and faculty meet regularly with a WDPI liaison and state organizations to remain on the forefront of evolving requirements in the profession.
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Students who satisfactorily complete one of the programs can be endorsed for licensure in Wisconsin at the level for which they have prepared. Students planning to teach in states other than Wisconsin should review the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s License Portability information.
Debra Dosemagen, Ph.D.
Professor, Department Chair and Graduate Program Director
Phone: (414) 930-3160
Email: dosemagd@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Mathematics education, teacher research
Vanessa Varela, M.A in Ed, M.A. in F.L.L.
Assistant Professor
Phone: (414) 930-3105
Email: varelav@mtmary.edu
Expertise: Second Language Acquisition and Social Justice, Multilingual Learners, Multicultural Children's Literature
The demand for qualified teachers has never been greater—and it continues to rise. Across the country, school districts are facing staffing shortages and, in some cases, are recruiting educators from outside their regions to meet classroom needs. Teachers are essential in a wide range of educational settings, including public and private schools, early childhood centers, special education programs, and adult learning environments. Earning a degree in education prepares individuals to inspire, lead, and make a lasting impact on students and communities.
According to 2024 data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for teachers ranges from $63,210 - $64,580.
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