Milwaukee Public Schools University (MPSU)

Milwaukee Public Schools University (MPSU) supports employees seeking teacher licensure through our free tutoring and advising services, as well as our DPI-approved, low-cost educator preparation programs.

Location

Mission

Vision

Advising Services

MPSU staff can assist current or prospective employees who are searching for licensure programs at traditional universities. We are available to help you find the right program for you, whether you are looking for a teacher, pupil services, or administrator license.

As an additional employee benefit, all newly hired permit teachers are assigned an MPSU development specialist to support them in their journey to find and complete an educator preparation program, as well as address any questions regarding Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) license requirements.

Tutoring Services

MPSU offers tutoring services to support current employees who are pursuing licensure or seeking additional subject area certifications. To help district staff achieve their goals, we offer:

FoRT 890 test preparation
Praxis exam preparation
University coursework support (including math or writing)
Assistance with specific programs, such as Montessori or bilingual education

Licensure Programs

MPSU is a DPI-approved education preparation provider (EPP). Our non-credit bearing teacher licensure programming is available for eligible MPS employees as an employee benefit. Tuition is significantly reduced, and we have two teacher licensure program tracks to address high-need areas. The next cohorts will begin in Spring 2026.

Physical Education (#1530): Initial Teacher Licensure (K–12)

This licensure program prepares candidates with bachelor's degrees to teach in physical education classrooms in MPS.

Eligibility

Eligibility

This program is designed for MPS physical education teachers hired on a One-Year License with Stipulations (permit) who are seeking initial licensure. This is a full licensure program—including student teaching—that is usually completed in five to six semesters.

Note: These temporary permits are issued by DPI to individuals with bachelor's degrees (in any academic field) who wish to pursue a career in education. In order to extend the license beyond one year, the license holder must be enrolled in an educator preparation program and complete the equivalent of six university credits before the license expires.

Alternative Education (#1952): Supplemental Licensure (Grades 4–12)

Applicants must already hold a valid DPI teacher license to be eligible for this program.

This licensure program provides current teachers with the pedagogy they need to support students—who may be at-risk, vulnerable, or disengaged—in an alternative education setting.

Requirements

Requirements

The program consists of two non-credit courses (one 8-week course and one 12-week course) that meet once a week in the evening. Upon successful completion of both courses and clinical experiences, as well as the submission of a content area portfolio, candidates will be endorsed by MPSU for the #1952 alternative education license. This endorsement verifies that they met all requirements and allows them to apply for licensure through WI DPI.

Program Cost

MPSU licensure programs are a benefit for current employees and do not require applying for financial aid or acquiring student loans. As they are non-credit bearing, both programs are offered at a significantly reduced tuition in comparison to university-based programs. Employees are responsible for 100% of the costs, which are paid through payroll deductions and are NOT eligible for tuition reimbursement.

MPSU Feedback

If you have general questions about finding a licensure program, please email mps_u@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. If you would like to share feedback or concerns, complete this form. We will respond within 48 hours.

Reference: Data and Research

DPI analyzes data from multiple sources to determine needs and impact. Sources include Wisconsin educator preparation program enrollment and completion; testing rates; and educator retention, salary, demographics, and retirement information. Review details in the latest WI EPP Annual Report.

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