At A Glance

Teachers might stand at the head of the class, but the good ones never stop studying. As a Carthage student, you will open your mind to diverse ideas and commit to lifelong learning.

Degrees 

  • Elementary and Middle School Education (Grades K-9)
  • Special Education (K-12)
  • Social Science Education (4-12)

Minors 

  • Urban Education (K-9 or 4-12)

  • Natural Science/STEM (K-9)

  • Broad Field Science* (4-12)

  • Secondary Education* (4-12)

  • Educational Studies

* with major in chosen subject area

Special Programs:

Carthage offers emphases in Art Education, Music Education, Physical Education, and Theatre Education.

View Degree Requirements

Merging theory and practice, the Teacher Education Program cultivates highly competent, caring, and committed teachers. Carthage firmly believes in experiential learning, sending teacher candidates into local schools early and often to observe, plan, and teach lessons.

As firm believers in experiential learning, we send teacher candidates to local schools early and often to observe, plan, and teach lessons. By the time you begin the official student teaching semester, you will already have spent more than 100 hours in classrooms.

 

  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.JPG 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.JPG" alt="Aubrey Schoeneman" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,56,600,656/36816_6062_163701665847155.rev.1675122295.JPG 3x" data-max-w="600" data-max-h="600" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Education is changing rapidly, and the world needs good teachers. My advice would be to create a strong relationship with those they work with: their peers, professors, and cooperating teachers in the field. There is so much to learn from others. Always keep an open mind and dedicate yourself to becoming a lifelong learner.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2274-aubrey-schoeneman">Aubrey Schoeneman</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg" alt="Kiannah Hayes" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/116/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,443,444/36436_4847_163701665847155.rev.1669737299.jpg 2x" data-max-w="443" data-max-h="444" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The staff at every center on campus — whether it’s the financial aid desk, The Aspire Center, or the Registrar’s Office — are there to help you.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2200-">Kiannah Hayes</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.jpg" alt="Kelly Sibert" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1656,2208/38649_10555_163701665847155.rev.1697727133.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1656" data-max-h="2208" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Other students should consider elementary education because it is arguably one of the most influential majors. Teachers are the ones who inspire students to take their desired life path and are their number one cheerleaders throughout that entire process.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2544-kelly-sibert">Kelly Sibert</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,400/36107_4697_163701665847155.rev.1666985725.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,400/36107_4697_163701665847155.rev.1666985725.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,300,400/36107_4697_163701665847155.rev.1666985725.jpg" alt="Alexyn Cervantes" width="183" height="183" data-max-w="300" data-max-h="400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I chose Carthage because one of my best friends attends Carthage, and he highly recommended both the <a href="/academics/majors-minors/education/">education</a> and <a href="/academics/majors-minors/theatre/">theatre</a> departments to me. The <a href="/about/location-and-map/lake-michigan-photography/">lake</a> is a big bonus too.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2133-alexyn-cervantes">Alexyn Cervantes</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,453,584/36387_Eva.rev.1668610248.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,453,584/36387_Eva.rev.1668610248.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,453,584/36387_Eva.rev.1668610248.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,453,584/36387_Eva.rev.1668610248.jpg" alt="Eva Menzia ?25" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/45/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,453,584/36387_Eva.rev.1668610248.jpg 2x" data-max-w="453" data-max-h="584" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “During my freshman year alone, I learned so much about becoming a future educator, and I genuinely believe it’s because of the experienced professors I had!”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2144-eva-menzia">Eva Menzia</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.jpg" alt="Madison Payne" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/64/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,175,1170,1345/37813_8397_163701665847155.rev.1684809140.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1170" data-max-h="1170" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Having positive relationships with the faculty here has helped me to create more opportunities for myself at Carthage, and it’s great knowing that I can reach out to any past or present professors if I need help.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2437-">Madison Payne</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
  • <div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg" alt="Jana Paulsen" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/88/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1600,2400/38650_10560_163701665847155.rev.1697727761.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1600" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The Music Department here at Carthage is pretty phenomenal. All of the music faculty are here for you and your success.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2546-">Jana Paulsen</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>


Experiential Learning for students pursuing an education degree

Count on immersing yourself in local elementary, middle, or secondary schools throughout your time at Carthage — beginning with your first semester as a teacher candidate. Students have access to a variety of elementary, middle, and high schools in many different neighborhoods, giving students robust and diverse experiences in urban and suburban settings. The faculty is devoted to ongoing professional development, community involvement, and high-quality field experiences for their students.

 

Equipped to Innovate

Alumni of the Teacher Education Program teach in a wide variety of settings, primarily in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois but also throughout the world. Others have gone on to work in children’s ministry or to pursue graduate studies in their specializations.

Carthage alumni regularly win county, state, and national awards for their caring, innovative approaches to teaching.

Recent honors include:

  • Wisconsin Teacher of the Year — 2020
  • Middle-Level Social Studies Teacher of the Year (National Council for the Social Studies) — 2013
  • Wisconsin PTA Elementary Teacher of the Year — 2011
  • Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching — 2003

 

Advanced Education

Carthage also offers graduate degrees, including a Master of Education program (with several areas of concentration) and a Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy. Existing teachers can pursue add-on licenses in areas such as reading and English as a second language (ESL).

Learn more about the Master’s Programs at Carthage