UW Student Qualifying Course List

All University of Wisconsin-Madison student employees working at the Child Development Lab (CDL) must complete qualifying coursework prior to independently working with children in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensing requirements. Required coursework varies based on the age group the student will be assigned to work with, including infant/toddler classrooms, preschool and 4K classrooms, or classrooms serving mixed age groups. Coursework must align with Wisconsin licensing standards and demonstrate foundational knowledge in child development, developmentally appropriate practices, health and safety, guidance strategies, and curriculum planning.

Courses that meet infant/toddler requirements

  • HDFS 262 – Development of the Young Child

  • HDFS 462 – Infant/Toddler Development & Group Care

  • HDFS 662 – Advanced Study of the Young Child

  • ED PSYCH 320 – Human Development in Infancy and Childhood

  • ED PSYCH 331 – Human Development from Childhood through Adolescence

  • PSYCH 460 – Child Development

  • RP & SE 455 – ECE Special Education Methods: Infants & Toddlers

  • RP & SE 475 – Special Education Practicum: Early Childhood and Elementary

Courses that meet any age requirements

  • HDFS 345 – Ecology of Child Health and Well-Being

  • HDFS 464 – Play: Development and Role Across the Lifespan

  • HDFS 663 – Developmental and Family Assessment

  • ED PSYCH 326 – Mind, Brain and Education

  • ED PSYCH 541 – Applied Behavior Analysis in Classrooms

  • PSYCH 502 – Cognitive Development

  • PSYCH 503 – Social Development

  • PSYCH 510 – Critical Issues in Child Psychopathology

  • RP & SE 320 – Introduction to Teaching in Special Education

  • RP & SE 435 – Overview of Early Childhood Special Education

  • RP & SE 460 – ECE Special Education Methods: Preschool & Early Elementary

Courses that meet 4K requirements

  • HDFS 263 – Development from Adolescence to Old Age

  • ED PSYCH 301 – How People Learn

  • ED PSYCH 321 – Human Development in Adolescence

  • RP & SE 477 – Special Education Student Teaching: Elementary (PK–Grade 9)

 


Keywords:
qualifying, course, internship, student assistant 
Doc ID:
161639
Owned by:
Katie M. in UW Child Development Lab
Created:
2026-05-29
Updated:
2026-05-29
Sites:
UW Child Development Lab