New statewide transfer agreement offers a seamless, affordable route from technical college to teacher licensure

Green Bay, Wis.— Aspiring educators across Wisconsin now have a clearer, more affordable pathway to becoming licensed teachers, thanks to a new statewide articulation agreement between the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and participating institutions within the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

Under the expanded agreement, and beginning in Fall 2026, graduates of the Foundations of Teacher Education (FoTE) associate degree program at eligible WTCS colleges throughout the state can now transfer 60 credits as a block into the Education major at UW-Green Bay.

This marks a significant expansion of a regional partnership that now supports students throughout Northeast Wisconsin who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education and become licensed to teach grades K–9.

Collaborative commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s educator pipeline

“The ongoing collaboration with our technical college partners is an incredible benefit to students and the region,” said Kate Burns, provost and vice chancellor for UW-Green Bay Academic Affairs. “Our communities need more teachers, and a seamless transfer pathway makes the pursuit of teaching both accessible and achievable. This directly reflects our access mission and our belief that every student deserves the opportunity to rise to their full potential.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 66.6% of educator preparation program completers go on to work in Wisconsin public schools, and only 55.6% remain in the classroom by their seventh year.

As school districts across Wisconsin continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining educators, NWTC sees this new seamless transfer pathway as an opportunity to remove barriers for students and allow even more future teachers to stay in the Northeast Wisconsin region.

“UW-Green Bay continues to be an excellent transfer partner for NWTC students across a variety of programs, and this agreement creates a clear and affordable pathway for those who want to become teachers while staying in Northeast Wisconsin,” said NWTC President Kristen Raney. “By helping more students complete their bachelor’s degrees and enter the profession locally, we’re strengthening the educator pipeline and supporting the long-term needs of our schools and communities.”

For Lakeshore College, this agreement builds on the success of the FORWARD program, a collaboration between Lakeshore and UW-Green Bay giving both nursing and education majors the ability to begin their education in these in-demand fields and stay close to home for their entire journey.

“At Lakeshore College, we believe student-centered pathways are the foundation of meaningful education—meeting learners where they are and guiding them toward where they want to go on their career path,” said Lakeshore College President Paul Carlsen. “The articulation agreement with UW-Green Bay is a true reflection of collaboration between educators, employers and our surrounding communities. We are working together to create opportunities that are both relevant and transformative. In our Lakeshore and rural communities, this approach doesn’t just change individual lives; it strengthens the entire region, building a more resilient, skilled, and connected future for all.”

A streamlined and affordable path to a teaching degree

FoTE graduates transferring into UW–Green Bay benefit from:

  • Lower overall degree costs by beginning at a technical college
  • No course-by-course evaluations, reducing confusion and delays
  • Direct entry into a high-quality teacher preparation program
  • Access to a growing regional and statewide teacher network

Students completing the Education major at UW–Green Bay will graduate with a bachelor of science in Education and be eligible for K–9 licensure, entering a field where demand for qualified educators continues to rise across Wisconsin.

About UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a school of resilient problem solvers who dare to reach higher with the power of education that ignites growth and answers the biggest challenges. Serving 11,198 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students as well as 83,800 continuing education learners annually, UW-Green Bay offers 200 academic degrees, programs, and certificates. With campus locations in Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and a theater in Marinette, the University’s access mission welcomes all students who want to learn, from every corner of the world. Championing bold thinking since opening its doors in 1965, it is a university on the rise – Wisconsin’s fastest growing UW. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.