Education Majors and Programs (undergraduate)

Choose the teaching major or minor that will ignite your passion to become an exceptional educator and ethical leader.
Student Teacher
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Real-world classroom field experience starting freshman year
100 Percent
pass rate on teacher performance assessment
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State-approved Educator Preparation Program

Become an Outstanding Educator by Majoring in Education at Viterbo

Think about your favorite teacher. What made them exceptional? What connected you so strongly? Could you be that teacher for your students?

Whether you choose a major in teaching or education at Viterbo, you’ll be prepared to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, helping them develop critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our teaching major programs have built strong, collaborative partnerships with area schools. Beginning in your freshman year, you’ll gain real-world classroom field experience in local schools.

A Viterbo major in teaching will provide you with extensive training in the theory and practice of being an effective teacher. You’ll also develop knowledge and expertise in your content area, such as art, business, or science. Our graduates have exceptional job placement rates and Teacher Performance Assessment rates.

Explore Viterbo’s Education Majors and Programs

Advantages for Education Majors at Viterbo

Majoring in education provides many benefits and advantages, including:

  • Gain real-world classroom experience early. As a teaching major, you will gain hands-on experience in a local area classroom in your freshman year. Even before you begin your student teaching, you will have accumulated over 100 hours of field experience.
  • Prepare to ace your Teacher Performance Assessment. The Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) evaluates your teaching skills and is required by all applicants for Initial Teacher licensure in Wisconsin. Our education majors have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the assessment.
  • Earn your teaching degree from a state-approved program. Our education major offerings qualify as Educator Preparation Programs approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Successful completion of our major in teaching can lead to licensure at Wisconsin colleges and universities, cooperative educational service agencies, school districts, and private companies.
  • Learn from experienced teachers and faculty. Experienced classroom teachers share their firsthand knowledge and expertise on effective teaching tools and strategies. Faculty are dedicated to helping you become an exceptional educator.

What Can You Do With Your Viterbo Teaching Degree?

Many Viterbo teaching graduates obtain career educator positions such as:

  • Curriculum specialist
  • Educational policy specialist
  • Elementary, middle school, or high school teacher
  • Literacy specialist
  • School administrator
  • Special education leader
  • Other child-focused positions

In addition to exploring these and other career paths, you can enroll in graduate and certificate programs  to pursue additional licensures.

Our Stories

Education Comes Full Circle for Viterbo Student, Former Teacher and Now Colleague

In 2007, kindergartner Nathan Alberts thrived under teacher Sarah Mumaw-Flury’s guidance, who channeled his energy into success. Seventeen years later, Alberts, now a student teacher, reunites with his former mentor—this time a...
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For Jenna Larson, Viterbo Feels Like Home

Jenna Larson came to Viterbo University to study nursing, but soon started to feel like the major wasn’t quite the right fit for her. “Then one day I was sitting down with my younger sister helping her do her math homework and...
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Caitlin Parish

Field Experience Puts Parish on Right Path

At Viterbo, education majors get out in the field early so they can get a taste of what’s ahead for them. That helped Caitlin Parish discover her path was not what she thought it was in time to change her path.
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Naomi Harm Out to Change the Face of Education

Like many entrepreneurs, Naomi (Hemesath) Harm '99 has a sharp eye for opportunity. Since her days in Viterbo University's education program, she has been on the lookout for ways to improve the way we educate our children, part...
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Education Programs

Education students at Viterbo University are instilled with the skills needed to nurture and enrich young minds. They graduate as professional educators, ready to make a difference in the classroom and in the lives of their students.

Alison Coovert

Viterbo “Checked All the Boxes” for Alison Coovert

Viterbo University freshman Alison Coovert chose to attend Viterbo, “Because I was looking for a university with a Catholic identity, that offered my major, and has a strong sense of community. Viterbo checked all the boxes on ...
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Cheyenne Nagle

A One-of-a-Kind Experience for Cheyenne Nagle

Cheyenne Nagle took a somewhat indirect route to enrolling at Viterbo University but said, “Viterbo has allowed me to find my passion for teaching and has reinforced my choice to be an educator. I chose Viterbo because I was lo...
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Lexi Vertein

Viterbo Student Lexi Vertein is Pursuing Lifelong Career Goal

Many people struggle with selecting a college major and a future career. Not Viterbo student Lexi Vertein. "I've know since preschool that I wanted to be a teacher, " said Vertein, a junior elementary education major from Reed...
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Travis Bassett

Travis Bassett ’08

Teacher, Iola-Scandinavia School District

The materials and methods used by the fantastic, knowledgeable professors in the department made the coursework meaningful, relevant, and, dare I say, fun!”
Kathryn Kristoff

Kathryn Kristoff ’12

Teacher, Sparta School District

Viterbo gave me the exact tools I needed in order to be the most efficient teacher. I learned how to be a reflective practitioner and learned how to make teaching my craft and not just my profession. I would recommend Viterbo because of its amazing community, great class sizes, and helpful professors.”
Preston Gamroth

Preston Gamroth

Current student

I chose to be a mathematics teacher for several reasons, mainly though for my love of mathematics and for the chance to make a difference in the lives of future generations. I hope that my teaching style will instill the love of mathematics into others, while helping them progress into the extraordinary individuals they are meant to be. Being a part of this program brings me closer to that dream every day. The professors are amazing with their level of expertise and experience, as well as their understanding and flexibility with me being a student athlete. Because of Viterbo, I know I have chosen the right career path.”