Wisconsin State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

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Discipline Audiologist
License/Certificate Licensed Audiologist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Audiologist/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work Completed 50 hours of a supervised practicum providing audiology services in a school setting, or equivalent experience while employed as a school audiologist by a public school, private school, or school district
Licensure Dependent on an Exam Praxis Examination in Audiology, passing score 170
Additional requirements specific for schools School Audiologist Requirements: 1. Knowledge of the Wisconsin teaching, administrator, and pupil services standards 2. Educational psychology, including principles and theories of learning. 3. Methods and procedure in school audiology programs, including the relationship with, and content of school pupil service programs. This requirement may be met by prior experience upon the recommendation of the accredited institution. 4. Alternative communication systems, including signed language systems, their implications for the social, emotional, and educational development of children, and methods for effective communication with children who use them. 5. At least 50 hours of supervised practicum providing audiology services in a school setting, or equivalent experience while employed as a school audiologist by a public or private school or school district. 6. A master's degree in audiology from an institution accredited by American Speech, Language, Hearing Association.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

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Discipline Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
License/Certificate Hearing Impaired Teacher License
State Department Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/program/deaf-hard-of-hearing
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework At least 12-semester credits including all of the following: (a) Introduction to hearing impairment. (b) Curriculum and methods for teaching hearing impaired pupils at the appropriate level. (c) Language problems and development for the hearing impaired. (d) Speech for the hearing impaired. (e) Speechreading and auditory training for the hearing impaired. (f) Manual communication.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Student teaching hearing impaired pupils at the appropriate level.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Praxis I Reading, passing score= 175 and; 2. Praxis I Writing, passing score= 174 and; 3. Praxis I Mathematics, passing score= 173 and; 4. Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, passing score= 147
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Wisconsin offers several alternative teacher certification pathways. 1. 10SPED - an alternative teacher certification program for cross-categorical and early childhood teachers of Special Education. 2. Project Teaching - an alternative teacher certification program for persons with bachelor's degrees in shortage areas of agriculture, art, business, computer science, engineering, English as a second language, family & consumer education, world languages, mathematics, music, sciences, and technology. 3. WiscAd - an alternative teacher certification program for Business Manager, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, and Superintendent. 4. EdNova - provides practicing teachers with the opportunity to extend their certification areas, with workshops for practicing educators, especially teachers and administrators stipulations on their license. In addition to those programs, Teach for America Milwaukee offers working professionals with a bachelor's degree an opportunity to start a second career as a teacher by offering training and assistance in the transition to teaching. The Wisconsin Troops to Teachers program also offers assistance to qualified military personnel seeking to start a second career as a teacher.

Early Childhood Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Early Childhood Education License
State Department Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/general
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework At least 22-semester credits of professional education including all of the following: 1. Growth and development of children from birth through age 8. 2. Educational psychology or psychology of learning. 3. Methods and curriculum in early childhood education. 4. Assessment of children from birth through age 8. 5. Language development. 6. Parent involvement in early childhood education. 7. Function and guidance of play. 8. Models of early childhood education programs.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Student teaching in prekindergarten, in kindergarten, and in at least one of first grades through third grade. At least 80 full days or 120 half days of experience as an assistant child care teacher in a licensed child care center.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Praxis I Reading, passing score= 175 and; 2. Praxis I Writing, passing score= 174 and; 3. Praxis I Mathematics, passing score= 173 and; 4. Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, passing score= 147
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Wisconsin offers several alternative teacher certification pathways. 1. 10SPED - an alternative teacher certification program for cross-categorical and early childhood teachers of Special Education. 2. Project Teaching - an alternative teacher certification program for persons with bachelor's degrees in shortage areas of agriculture, art, business, computer science, engineering, English as a second language, family & consumer education, world languages, mathematics, music, sciences, and technology. 3. WiscAd - an alternative teacher certification program for Business Manager, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, and Superintendent. 4. EdNova - provides practicing teachers with the opportunity to extend their certification areas, with workshops for practicing educators, especially teachers and administrators stipulations on their license. In addition to those programs, Teach for America Milwaukee offers working professionals with a bachelor's degree an opportunity to start a second career as a teacher by offering training and assistance in the transition to teaching. The Wisconsin Troops to Teachers program also offers assistance to qualified military personnel seeking to start a second career as a teacher.

Early Childhood Special Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Early Childhood - Exceptional Educational Needs License
State Department Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/early-childhood
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework At least 34-semester credits, which includes all of the following: (1) Child growth and development. (2) Educational psychology or psychology of learning. (3) Psychology of the exceptional child. (4) Methods and curriculum in early childhood education. (5) Methods of teaching reading. (6) Student teaching with normal young children. (7) Introduction in the education of the young exceptional child. (8) Assessment of the young exceptional child. (9) Language development and disorders of the young exceptional child. (10) Organization and administration of programs for the young exceptional child. (11) Methods, curriculum, and materials for the young exceptional child. (12) Student teaching with the young exceptional child. (13) Parent training and family involvement of the young exceptional child.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Student teaching with the young exceptional child.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Praxis I Reading, passing score= 175 and; 2. Praxis I Writing, passing score= 174 and; 3. Praxis I Mathematics, passing score= 173 and; 4. Elementary Education: Content Knowledge, passing score= 147
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Wisconsin offers several alternative teacher certification pathways. 1. 10SPED - an alternative teacher certification program for cross-categorical and early childhood teachers of Special Education. 2. Project Teaching - an alternative teacher certification program for persons with bachelor's degrees in shortage areas of agriculture, art, business, computer science, engineering, English as a second language, family & consumer education, world languages, mathematics, music, sciences, and technology. 3. WiscAd - an alternative teacher certification program for Business Manager, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, and Superintendent. 4. EdNova - provides practicing teachers with the opportunity to extend their certification areas, with workshops for practicing educators, especially teachers and administrators stipulations on their license. In addition to those programs, Teach for America Milwaukee offers working professionals with a bachelor's degree an opportunity to start a second career as a teacher by offering training and assistance in the transition to teaching. The Wisconsin Troops to Teachers program also offers assistance to qualified military personnel seeking to start a second career as a teacher.

Family Therapist

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Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Professions/MFT/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 3000 hours of marriage and family therapy practice in no less than 2 years, including at least 1000 hours of face-to-face client contact, under the supervision of a supervisor pursuant to s. MPSW 16.05.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam?
  1. Association of the Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) Examination; 85%
  2. Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Exam; Pass/Fail

Nurse

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Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink http://dsps.wi.gov/Boards-Councils/Board-Pages/Board-of-Nursing-Main-Page/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Associate's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The curriculum shall be based on a stated purpose, philosophy, conceptual framework, and program objectives expressed in terms of required student competencies. Theoretical learning experiences shall be consistent with the stated program objectives. Curricular content shall reflect current nursing practice and encompass health needs throughout the life span. 1. Area of general education. The curriculum in the area of general education shall include a. Scientific knowledge basic to nursing practice which includes principles from the biological and physical sciences. b. Human and cultural knowledge includes currently accepted concepts and principles from the social and behavioral sciences and is basic to understanding motivation and behavior. 2. Area of nursing education.  The curriculum in the area of nursing education shall include theory and selected experiences designed to enable students to provide nursing care which shall promote, maintain, and restore the physical and mental health of the individual throughout the life span. Upon completion of the program, the graduate shall be able to: a. Use the nursing process to plan and provide nursing care. b. Apply knowledge derived from the scientific, human and cultural areas to meet health needs. c. Individualize nursing care during preventive, maintenance, restorative, and terminal phases. d. Promote positive health practices. e. Understand the roles and relationships of nurses to other health care providers. f. Plan for health services with individuals, families, communities, and health care providers. g. Practice professional nursing according to the legal standards of the chapter. N 6. h. Function as responsible, accountable nursing professional. i. Identify the need for continued competency. j. Recognize the impact of historical trends in nursing.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 500 hours of clinical experience is required; includes simulation labs and clinical rotations where students learn to care for patients under the direction of a clinical nurse instructor.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), Pass/Fail
Additional requirements specific to Part C? A Bachelor degree in nursing is required
Additional requirements specific for schools? State law requires a nurse to be a registered nurse licensed under Wis. Stat. ch. 441 through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, and to complete a course in public health nursing in order to practice school nursing in Wisconsin. A Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) school nursing license is not required by state law. However, DPI licensure is available under Wis. Admin. Code PI 34.31(2). Please see the University of Wisconsin-Madison requirements for the institution endorsement that leads to DPI school nursing licensure. Following completion of an approved higher education program in school nursing and upon receiving the institutional endorsement, the school nurse can apply for a school nurse license by submitting an application form and fee to the DPI.

Occupational Therapist

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Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Occupational Therapist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Professions/OccupationalTherapist/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) Exam, Passing score= 450 2. Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Code Exam . The passing score for Occupational Therapy is 88%
Additional requirements specific for schools? School OT license

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Physical Therapist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Professions/PT/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Physical Therapy Examination; passing score= 600. Pass the Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Codes open-book examination.

Psychologist

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Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Licensed Psychologist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/Professions/Psychologist/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework The curriculum shall encompass a minimum of 3 academic years of full-time graduate study, at least one of which shall be in full-time residence at the site of the institution granting the degree. In addition to the instruction in scientific and professional ethics and standards, research design and methodology, statistics, and psychometrics, the core program shall require each student to demonstrate competence in each of the following substantive content areas. This typically will be met by including a minimum of 3 or more graduate semester hours (5 or more graduate quarter hours) in each of these 4 substantive content areas: a) Biological bases of behavior: physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation, and perception, psychopharmacology; b) Cognitive affective bases of behavior: learning, thinking, motivation, emotion; c) Social bases of behavior: social psychology, group processes, organizational and systems theory; and d) Individual differences: personality theory, human development, abnormal psychology, multicultural differences. In addition, all professional education programs in psychology will include course requirements in specialty areas.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Applicant must have 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience. The supervisor should have at least three years of post-license experience & have completed training in supervision. The first 1,500 hours, maybe pre-or postdoctoral, and trainees must have 2 hours of individual supervision each week. They're also expected to have an additional 2 hours of complementary learning experiences (IE; seminars, group supervision, or co-therapy sessions) with another professional. Second 1,500 hours must be postdoctoral & supervision requirements drop to one hour per week.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology; Pass/Fail 2. State ethics exam; a score of 80%.

School Psychologist – Private (School)

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate Psychologist- Private School
State Department Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/PrivatePracticeSchoolPsychologist/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Early childhood - Adult
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Complete steps required for a regular license as a school psychologist issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Hold a regular license as a school psychologist issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

At least 60 graduate semester credits. Course work in all of the following which shall include a minimum of 48 graduate-level semester credits, as specified: (a) Psychological foundations including course work in all of the following of which a minimum of 6-semester credits, as specified: 1. Developmental psychology or child and adolescent psychology. 2. Measurement theory. 3. Personality theory. 4. Psychology of learning. 5. Psychopathology, abnormal behavior disorder. 6. Research theory and methods. The thesis or dissertation may be used to meet this requirement. 7. Statistics. (b) Education foundations including at least 9-semester credits as follows, of which at least 6-semester credits shall be at the graduate level: 1. At least 3-semester credits in regular education methods or curriculum. 2. At least 3-semester credits in special education methods. 3. At least 3-semester credits in supervision, administration, school law, or other educational foundations courses. (c) Core professional program including at least 33 graduate semester credits as follows: 1. At least 6-semester credits in individualized academic and behavioral programming. 2. At least 6-semester credits in psychoeducational interventions including direct and indirect interventions and consultation and therapeutic interventions. 3. At least 9-semester credits in psychological and psychoeducational assessment including intelligence, personality, achievement, adaptive, and sensory-motor assessment. 4. At least 3-semester credits in school psychological services including role, issues, ethics, laws, and regulations.

Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of one academic year of experience or internship consisting of at least 1,200 hours in school psychology under the supervision of a school psychologist licensed by the Department of Public Instruction.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The Praxis II -- school psychologist, passing score 165.

Board review of application, determination of eligibility to sit for the exam, National Teachers Examination (NTE) Specialty Area Test for School Psychologist

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate School Psychologist
State Department Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/pathways-licensure/pupil-services
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Early childhood - adult
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework At least 60 graduate semester credits. Course work in all of the following which shall include a minimum of 48 graduate level semester credits, as specified: (a) Psychological foundations including course work in all of the following of which a minimum of 6 semester credits, as specified: 1. Developmental psychology or child and adolescent psychology. 2. Measurement theory. 3. Personality theory. 4. Psychology of learning. 5. Psychopathology, abnormal behavior disorder. 6. Research theory and methods. The thesis or dissertation may be used to meet this requirement. 7. Statistics. (b) Education foundations including at least 9 semester credits as follows, of which at least 6 semester credits shall be at the graduate level: 1. At least 3 semester credits in regular education methods or curriculum. 2. At least 3 semester credits in special education methods. 3. At least 3 semester credits in supervision, administration, school law, or other educational foundations courses. (c) Core professional program including at least 33 graduate semester credits as follows: 1. At least 6 semester credits in individualized academic and behavioral programming. 2. At least 6 semester credits in psychoeducational interventions including direct and indirect interventions and consultation and therapeutic interventions. 3. At least 9 semester credits in psychological and psychoeducational assessment including intelligence, personality, achievement, adaptive and sensory motor assessment. 4. At least 3 semester credits in school psychological services including role, issues, ethics, laws, and regulations.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? An internship in school psychology under the supervision of a cooperating school psychologist and a written recommendation from the school system administration. The internship shall be part of the approved program and shall be taken for a maximum of 12 graduate semester credits.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? The Praxis II -- school psychologist, passing score 165.

Social Worker

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Certified Social Worker
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/SocialWorkerTrainingCertificate/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work A 400 hour Human Services Internship that was part of the program leading to the degree or completed while holding the training certificate. The internship shall involve direct practice with clients and be supervised by a Social Worker certified under Chapter 457, Wis. Stats, who has a Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work. A human services internship shall be under the auspices of an accredited college or university.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam; pass/fail
Additional requirements specific for schools Wisconsin Requirements for School Social Workers In order to work in Wisconsin public schools as a school social worker, it is necessary for the individual to be certified as a school social worker by the Department of Public Instruction. Certification requires a master's degree in social work and a statement from a DPI-approved school social work preparation program that the candidate has met all necessary requirements as delineated in PI 34. (a) A school social worker license may be issued to an applicant who has obtained an institutional endorsement and has completed or possesses all of the following:
  1. A master's degree in social work.
  2. Institutional endorsement: Candidates from other states can receive a 2-year certification (allowing them time to complete any Wisconsin-specific requirements they may still need), if they have a master's degree in social work and school social work certification from another state.
  3. Candidates for any of the four pupil services professions (school counseling, nursing, psychology, and social work) must demonstrate the adequate knowledge, skills, and dispositions under the seven pupil services standards:
    1. The pupil services professional understands the teacher standards under s. PI 34.02.
    2. The pupil services professional understands the complexities of learning and knowledge of comprehensive, coordinated practice strategies that support pupil learning, health, safety and development.
    3. The pupil services professional has the ability to use research, research methods and knowledge about issues and trends to improve practice in schools and classrooms.
    4. The pupil services professional understands and represents professional ethics and social behaviors appropriate for school and community.
    5. The pupil services professional understands the organization, development, management and content of collaborative and mutually supportive pupil services programs within educational settings.
    6. The pupil services professional is able to address comprehensively the wide range of social, emotional, behavioral and physical issues and circumstances which may limit pupils' abilities to achieve positive learning outcomes through development, implementation and evaluation of system-wide interventions and strategies.
    7. The pupil services professional interacts successfully with pupils, parents, professional educators, employers, and community support systems such as juvenile justice, public health, human services and adult education.

Speech Language Pathologist

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Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
State Department Department of Safety and Professional Services
State Department Hyperlink https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/SpeechLanguagePathologist/Default.aspx
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 48 academic credits & two years of full-time study. Courses include Speech science, critical evaluation of research in speech & hearing sciences & disorders, motor speech disorders, fluency disorders, voice disorders, language disorders in children, dysphagia in adults & children, principles of intervention with speech-language disorders, and Professional issues in communicative sciences & disorders.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Arranged by clinical field placement advisors, a student with supervised experiences will provide diagnostic & therapeutic services in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, private practices, community clinics, & skilled nursing facilities. Practicums total between 350-400 hours working in a variety of populations in at least three different settings.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology exam, passing score= 600
Additional requirements specific for schools? 1. Master's degree in communicative disorders from an approved program in school speech-language pathology. 2. Training within the undergraduate and graduate program shall include a minimum of the following: a. Speech disorders b. Language disorders c. Hearing disorders and hearing evaluation d. Hearing habilitative and rehabilitative procedures 3. Professional education and training to include course work in methods and procedures in school speech-language programs and understanding and use of augmentative and nonverbal communication modes and systems 350 hours of supervised practicum with 100 hours in a school setting to include experiences with a wide range of communicative disorders.

Vision Specialist

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Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Visually Impaired Teacher License
State Department Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
State Department Hyperlink https://dpi.wi.gov/sped/teacher-visually-impaired-or-orientation-and-mobility-specialist-mentoring-program
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 21 years
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework To obtain Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) Licensure, students may complete their Master's in Special Education- with a specialization in visual impairment. Seven additional credits are required to obtain cross-categorical special education licensure along with the TVI license.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Student teaching visually impaired pupils at the appropriate level. (hours not specified)
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Praxis I Reading, passing score= 175 and; 2. Praxis I Writing, passing score= 174 and; 3. Praxis I Mathematics, passing score= 173
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Wisconsin offers several alternative teacher certification pathways. 1. 10SPED - an alternative teacher certification program for cross-categorical and early childhood teachers of Special Education. 2. Project Teaching - an alternative teacher certification program for persons with bachelor's degrees in shortage areas of agriculture, art, business, computer science, engineering, English as a second language, family & consumer education, world languages, mathematics, music, sciences, and technology. 3. WiscAd - an alternative teacher certification program for Business Manager, Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education & Pupil Services, and Superintendent. 4. EdNova - provides practicing teachers with the opportunity to extend their certification areas, with workshops for practicing educators, especially teachers and administrators stipulations on their license. In addition to those programs, Teach for America Milwaukee offers working professionals with a bachelor's degree an opportunity to start a second career as a teacher by offering training and assistance in the transition to teaching. The Wisconsin Troops to Teachers program also offers assistance to qualified military personnel seeking to start a second career as a teacher.