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Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis: WI Idea Principal Preparation Program MS

Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

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Is this program right for you?

The Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA): Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation master’s program empowers graduates to address the challenges and inequalities in the field of education. The program gives you the knowledge and credentials to earn your license as a K-12 school principal (5051) in the state of Wisconsin.

  • Academic year courses meet online five weekends each semester, and summer courses are delivered online through designated four-day sessions throughout summer
  • Experience engaging online coursework and innovative, interactive learning activities while completing field experiences
  • Individuals collaborate within cohorts to research, synthesize and amend core concerns at the heart of educational inequalities

Education that works for you

In 15 months, gain the advanced cultural, theoretical and analytic knowledge to promote equity and opportunity for all elementary and secondary school students while completing the requirements for licensure as a Wisconsin school principal.

Program type

Master’s degree

Graduate education in a specific area of expertise

Explore program types

Degree awarded

Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

Commitment

15 months

Tuition

$800 per credit

Format

Online

Primarily online

Credits

30 graduate credits

Admission terms

Program only admits for summer term

Offered by

STEM opt eligible

No

International eligibility

No

Application deadlines

Summer 2025

  • Deadline: April 15, 2025

Summer 2026

  • Deadline: April 15, 2026

Summer 2027

  • Deadline: April 15, 2027
View UW–Madison’s Guide

Your questions, answered

Have questions? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!

Admissions and events

Program requirements

All applicants must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0*
  • Hold or be eligible for a teaching license
  • Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. See the Graduate School Requirements for more information

*The admissions committee may consider an applicant that does not meet this requirement. Supporting factors include documentation of potential for leadership and relevant experiences that affect your ability to serve in leadership roles

Application materials required

  • Online application
  • Resume/CV
  • Essay
  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the cohort reaches capacity. In most cases, you will be informed of an admission decision within 3-4 weeks of receiving your completed application

For complete application details visit UW–Madison’s Guide →

December 4, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Program Overview: MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Learn more about the MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators, including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

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December 11, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Application Assistance: Teacher Education Center Programs

Join Recruitment Coordinator Anthony Baxter to learn strategies to make your Teacher Education Center Master’s Program application stand out. Content coordinators will then provide a brief overview of expectations and application review criteria, focusing on addressing applicants’ specific questions.

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December 12, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Program Overview: MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

Learn more about the MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics program, including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

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December 12, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Program Overview: MS in ELPA: Global Higher Education

Learn more about the MS in ELPA: Global Higher Education, including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

Register now →

December 18, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Application Assistance: MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Learn strategies to make your MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators application stand out.

Register now →

January 9, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Meet the Program Director: Engineering Management MS

Join Program Director Heather Smith for an in-depth conversation about the Engineering Management MS program including curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

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January 22, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Program Overview: Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Learn more about the MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program, including the curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

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January 23, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Alumni Panel: ELPA: Global Higher Education

Join alumni from the MS in ELPA: Global Higher Education as they discuss their experiences in the program, how it met their academic needs, why it was a good fit and how it might help you in your future pursuits.

Register now →

January 29, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Program Overview: ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation

Learn more about the MS in ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation program, including the curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

Register now →

February 11, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Equity & Impact: Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

Join recipients of the MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics Committed Scholars scholarship program for a session focused on identifying data (in)equities in several urban school districts.

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February 12, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Career Outlook: Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Join Lisa Hebgen, MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program director, to learn more about instructional coaching.

Register now →

February 20, 2025 from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Application Assistance: ELPA: Global Higher Education

Join Professor and Program Director Weijia Li to learn strategies to make your MS in ELPA: Global Higher Education application stand out.

Register now →

February 26, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Career Outlook: ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation

Join Tina Salzman, program director for the MS in ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation program, to learn more about the path to school leadership.

Register now →

March 6, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Program Overview: ELPA: Global Higher Education

Learn more about the MS in ELPA: Global Higher Education, including the curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

Register now →

March 6, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Program Overview: Teacher Education Center Programs

Learn more about Teacher Education Center Master’s Programs, including the curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

Register now →

March 12, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Application Assistance: ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation

Join Program Director Tina Salzman and learn strategies to make your MS in ELPA: Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation application stand out.

Register now →

March 12, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Pathways: Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

Learn how K-12 teachers have leveraged the MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics program to impact within — and beyond — the four walls of their classroom.

Register now →

March 12, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Student Panel: Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Join students from the MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program as they discuss their experiences in the program, how it meets their academic needs, why it is a good fit and how it might help you in your future pursuits.

Register now →

April 3, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Student Panel: Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

Join students from the MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics program as they discuss their experiences in the program, how it meets their academic needs, why it is a good fit, and how it might help you in your future pursuits.

Register now →

April 15, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Program Overview: Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

Learn more about the MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics program, including the curriculum, application process and potential career paths.

Register now →

April 16, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Faculty Spotlight: Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Join a faculty member from the MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program for a talk.

Register now →

May 7, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Pathways: Educational Psychology: Professional Educators

Join Lisa Hebgen, MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program director, to learn more about career options for program graduates.

Register now →

Results that work for you

Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis: WI Idea Principal Preparation Program MS

$91,700

Median market salary in 2021

Job titles

  • Assistant principal
  • Principal
  • Director of admissions
  • Dean of students
  • Registrar
  • Superintendent

Top industries

  • Educational services
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Public administration

7.3%

Projected growth from 2020-2030. Source: Lightcast™ 2022

#3

The UW–Madison School of Education was ranked third in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best Education Graduate Schools rankings — marking the 10th straight year it has been rated among the top five.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-24 Best Education Graduate Schools rankings

What you’ll learn

Become a leader for all learners with the Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis: WI Idea Principal Preparation Program MS. Through online courses and practical applications, you’ll develop expertise in equity-focused leadership, resource management and legal aspects of running a school.

For complete curricular details visit UW-Madison’s Guide →
  • Leadership for equity and diversity
  • Resource allocation
  • Evaluation techniques
  • Public school law

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