UW–Madison Department of Curriculum & Instruction

Our Department

The UW–Madison Department of Curriculum and Instruction is one of the premier graduate programs in the nation devoted to understanding and advancing the complex world of teaching, learning, curriculum, and policy. We develop mission-driven teachers and researchers who think critically about their subject areas — and in doing so, we strive to impact the world beyond the classroom.

Reinforced by world-class research and renowned faculty, our program is consistently recognized as one of the very best of its kind. Our pursuits combine real-world experience in schools with cross-disciplinary expertise, innovation, and a drive to transform classrooms into thriving, engaged communities.

Programs ranked highly by U.S. News and World Report

#1 Curriculum and Instruction Program

#3 Elementary Teacher Education Program

#4 Secondary Teacher Education Program

UW-Madison, Department of Curriculum and Instruction is Highly Ranked in the Nation!

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction was recently ranked 4th in the nation! In addition to the high ranking in Curriculum and Instruction, our Elementary Teacher Education program ranked 4th and our Secondary Teacher Education program ranked 2nd! Overall, in Schools of Education in the United States, UW-Madison's School of Education came in 3rd (in a three-way tie).

photo of a curriculum and instruction master's in secondary education student in a classroom teaching

94% first-year job placement

With a 94 percent first-year job-placement rate for classroom teachers, our students leave UW–Madison prepared for what’s next in their professional careers.

Diverse research

Our faculty’s diverse research areas include curriculum studies; global studies; design, informal, and creative education; disciplinary studies; languages, literacies, and multicultural education; teacher education; and childhood studies.

Meet Our Students

Somi Hwang, Curriculum and Instruction MS student

“I majored in design in South Korea and chose to come to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction to learn how to enhance current curriculum visually. It was my only option since I knew UW–Madison had one of the best programs in the U.S.”