The Department
Who We Are and What We Do
Welcome to the UW–Madison Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA), where our courses and research give students a deep understanding of educational organizations, educational policy, and policy systems. We offer PhD programs which specialize in one of three areas: K-12 leadership, higher education, and educational policy analysis and evaluation. Our Master's programs offer degrees in K-12 leadership, higher education, educational policy analysis and evaluation, global higher education and sports leadership.
No matter which unique strand you choose, when you graduate, you will be an effective leader, prepared to pave the way to better education for all students.
2023 U.S. News & World Reports Graduate School Rankings
#6 Educational Administration
#13 Higher Education Administration
Department Chair
Anjalé (AJ) Welton
Rupple-Bascom Professor of Education
Top-Ranked Programs
UW–Madison’s School of Education and several of its programs are ranked among the very best in the nation. Its Educational Administration program is ranked No. 6 and the Higher Education Administration program is rated No. 13 by U.S. News and World Reports 2023. ELPA contributes to the high rating through world-renowned faculty and research.
Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB)
The mission of Wisconsin’s Equity and Inclusion Laboratory (Wei LAB) is to design, conduct, and disseminate research that informs policymakers, practitioners, and concerned citizens on how to best promote equitable and inclusive learning and work environments in education in general, and higher education in particular.
Dr. Brian A. Burt, Director
A Supportive Community
“I was drawn to ELPA because of the quality of the curriculum, the faculty, and the staff. My gratitude toward my ELPA family is immeasurable for making the department feel like home from the first day, and for cultivating and unleashing the Super Genius in me and each and every one of us.” --(Walter Parrish III, PhD Spring 2023)
Professor Xueli Wang with PhD graduates.
No. 2 in the category of
Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans
U.S. News and World Report on Feb. 7 put out its annual ratings of Best Online Programs, and UW–Madison’s School of Education received two top rankings!
Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation Program
Dr. Tina Salzman, Director
Master’s in Sports Leadership
Dr. Sara Jimenez Soffa, Director
No. 5 in the category of
Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision
Applications for ELPA Fellowships and Scholarships for 2024-2025 are NOW OPEN
APPLY VIA WISH
APPLICATION DEADLINE
APRIL 15, 2024
K12 Leadership and Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation MS Programs for Summer 2024 Start
APPLY
ELPA STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
LEADS is directed by graduate students. Activities and events are chosen, designed, and executed by our graduate students. LEADS serves an important and needed function in fostering community and building skills within ELPA. Contact LEADS at leads.elpa@gmail.com.
The purpose of the Higher Education Student Advisory Board is to provide professional development opportunities and social networking for students in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) Masters of Higher Education track in the School of Education. This group will focus on providing opportunities for professional growth and connections in higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) and across other institutions.
Student Information
News
- New UW–Madison study traces spread of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and policies in Midwestern states
- Research project offers path to anti-racist policy changes for school leaders
- New book from UW–Madison’s Winkle-Wagner documents decades of Black women’s vital community-building in higher education
- Educational Researcher editors share vision for 2024-2026
Events
- March
- March 19Ubuntu as Concept and Practice: From Abstraction to Application, and BackWorkshop by Upenyu S. Majee8:30 AM, TITU, Memorial Union
- March 20
- March 21