Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

The mission of the Department is to create, integrate, exchange and apply knowledge about leadership, learning and organizational performance to advance educational quality and opportunity.

Many varied educational constituencies need to be able to analyze and to inform debate on educational issues, and to lead and develop learning communities that meet the diverse learning needs of students and society. We believe effective educational leadership in any institution embodies three values; inquiry, equity and reflection. (Strategic Action Plan 2004)

We expect our graduates and the recipients of our instruction to reflect the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities that will be successful in promoting, producing, and improving learning and increasing public trust in our educational institutions.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis offers the M.S. degree, the Ph.D. degree, and a Specialist Certificate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. All three of these degrees are intended to increase professional knowledge and skills essential for educational leadership, and to prepare persons for leadership positions at all levels of education: preschool, elementary, secondary, special education, vocational and technical schools, and colleges and universities, both public and private.

In keeping with this mission, the department has four specialties or emphases: Higher, Continuing, and Postsecondary Education, focused on the effective administration of post-secondary institutions; K-12 Leadership, emphasizing the effective administration of primary and secondary institutions; Educational Policy, stressing effective formation and analysis of policies governing the administration of all educational institutions; and Administrator Certification. Students in each specialty will focus their course work within the emphasis, although students are encouraged to learn about other areas as well. Many students in the department also pursue the course work for the Wisconsin certification for K-12 leadership. All of the course work for Administrator Certification can be applied later to the doctoral program, particularly in the K-12 Leadership specialty

Students may also apply to the department for the Administrator Certification only program. Certification-only students are not eligible for any degree without first applying for the specific degree program desired.

Admissions – Application Deadlines

THE DEPARTMENT ADHERES TO THE DEADLINES.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

FOR DOMESTIC APPLICANTS, ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE. 
FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS, ALL MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED, NOT POSTMARKED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE.

Ph.D.
December 1 (for summer or fall admission of the following year)

Master's
March 1 (for summer or fall admission)
July 1 (2nd opportunity for fall admission)  INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR JULY 1 ADMISSION CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO PROCESS VISA INFORMATION
November 1 (for spring admission)

Educational Specialist Certification
March 1 (for summer or fall admission)
July 1 (2nd opportunity for fall admission)  INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR JULY 1 ADMISSION CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO PROCESS VISA INFORMATION
November 1 (for spring admission)

Certification Only
March 1 (for summer or fall admission)
July 1 (2nd opportunity for fall admission)  INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR JULY 1 ADMISSION CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES TO PROCESS VISA INFORMATION
November 1 (for spring admission)

Admission Decisions to Candidates

Ph.D. - late February
Master's - (March applicants/late March; July applicants/mid-July; November applicants/late November)
Educational Specialist Certificate - (March applicants/late March; July applicants/mid-July; November applicants/late November)
Certification Only - (March applicants/late March; July applicants/mid-July; November applicants/late November)

The Application Process and Description of Application Materials

A. APPLICATION

The applicant must meet both the Department's and the Graduate School's criteria for admission. Admission to the Department is the first step and does not guarantee admission to the Graduate School. Exceptions to the Graduate School's requirement of at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average are limited. Applicants must submit an on-line application to the Graduate School. The Department will obtain your application from the Graduate School. We no longer accept paper applications. See other available downloadable forms for the Department to facilitate the process. There is one application fee paid to the Graduate School.The Graduate School is not permitted to waive the application fee but does offer a limited number of "fee grants" for eligible U.S. and Permanent Resident applicants. The guidelines for eligibility are similar to those for the GRE few waiver. Forms may be obtained from Graduate School Admissions Office by calling 608/262-2433 or by writing to 228 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive. Madison 53706.

B. TRANSCRIPTS

Applicants must furnish official transcripts of all previous collegiate work to the Department. Transcripts are analyzed to determine both undergraduate and graduate grade point averages (UGPA and GGPA). In addition, transcripts are examined to determine past academic concentrations, the pattern of courses taken, and the trend of grades received. No GPA renders an applicant automatically admissible or inadmissible. However, applicants who have a UGPA below 3.25 or a GGPA below 3.5 must submit supporting documentation as noted in section D below.

C. Graduate Record Exam SCORES

GRADUATE RECORD EXAM SCORES ARE REQUIRED FOR Ph.D. ADMISSION AND EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE ADMISSION ONLY, NOT MASTER'S DEGREE OR CERTIFICATION ONLY ADMISSION.

The general test for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) was revised in 2011.  If you anticipate applying for admission to the Ph.D. program for 2012 you need to take the exam between August 1 and September 30 to assure you have scores on file by December 1, 2011. 

GRE SCORES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE.  FOR Ph.D. ADMISSION THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 1.  FOR THE EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE PROGRAM THE APPLICATION DEADLINES ARE MARCH 1, JULY 1, AND NOVEMBER 1.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

Results of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must be submitted to the Department. The institution code is 1846. The Department code is 3001. No GRE score renders an applicant automatically admissible or inadmissible. Candidates should be aware that the GRE web site indicates that the average combined verbal and quantitative combined score for those entering the field of educational administration is approximately 1100 points for those who completed the GRE prior to August 2011 and 231 points for those taking the revised GRE. Applicants who score below 1100 points (old format) and 231 (revised format) must submit supporting documentation as noted in section D below.

*Applicants for certification-only programs whose UGPA is 3.25 or better and GGPA is 3.5 or better do not need to take the GRE.

McNair GRE Fee Waivers

A limited number of GRE fee waivers are available for McNair Scholars. Fee waivers are limited to three tests (i.e., General test, Subject test, and/or Writing assessment). Contact the McNair assistant director or director for more information.

Non-McNair GRE Fee Waiver

Contact your financial aid office to see if you qualify. Once your eligibility is established, the financial aid office will issue you a fee waiver and a copy of your financial analysis report. You must register by mail using the registration materials. If registering for more than one test, all registration materials must be received together with the fee waiver and financial need analysis report. Letter requests or photocopies and faxes of fee waivers will not be accepted.

D. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Applicants who earned an UGPA below 3.25 or a GGPA below 3.5 or a GRE score below 1100 points (old format) or 231 (revised format)  (verbal and quantitative combined score) should provide additional explanation/documentation to support his/her admission (e.g. an explanation as to why scores do not accurately reflect potential, documentation of high potential for leadership, relevant experiences that affect their abilities to serve in leadership roles).

E. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

We require recommendations from three (3) people who are qualified to evaluate the academic and professional competence of the applicant.  When completing your online application to the Graduate School, you will submit the names and emails of those you wish to submit letters of recommendation for you.  The recommendations will then be submitted electronically.

F.  RESUMÉ

Email resume to elpa@education.wisc.edu

G. "REASON FOR STUDY" ESSAY

Each applicant must submit a "Reasons for Study" essay. (As you prepare your responses, we invite you to review the information on our web site[http://www.education.wisc.edu/elpa], to review the program literature, to talk with our alumni and current students, and to interact with members of the faculty and staff.)

There are three strands within the department.  At the top of your essay indicate the strand you are applying to.

1. K12 Leadership
2. Higher, Postsecondary and Continuing Education
3. Educational Policy

Master's Degree applicants, Educational Specialist Certificate applicants, and certification applicants: Your essay should address the following issues in a typed, one-page, well developed, specific response:

1. Your area of interest (task or functional area of administration)
2. Your career goals (i.e., why the applicant is interested in pursuing a degree in educational administration)

3. Your professional objectives and how the UW-Madison program will contribute toward the applicant's role as a school/institution leader (If seeking certification, be sure to explicitly state what certification or certifications are being sought.)

Doctoral applicants should address the following questions in an essay that does not exceed three pages: The Reasons for Study essay

1. What are the primary personal and career goals you have identified as important for your intellectual and professional advancement over the next 5-10 years?
2. In what ways will these goals be advanced through a doctoral program at UW-Madison?
3. As you will note, we are interested in developing and maintaining a diverse and engaged learning community. Please identify any unique or special contributions you will bring to this community.

"Strong" essay is characterized by:

1. A clear, thorough, well-organized essay that expresses ideas in a detailed and engaging manner.
2. Addresses all components of the instructions.
3. Paragraphs signal the divisions of thought and sentences flow with ideas in a logical sequence.
4. No (or very few) noticeable errors in composition.

5. The articulation of clear scholarly interests that are consistent with the department's mission and that may expand knowledge within the field.

A "Satisfactory" essay is characterized by:

1. A detailed, well-organized essay.
2. Addresses all components of the instructions.
3. Paragraphs signal the major divisions of thought and sequence.
4. Few errors in composition.

5. The articulation of scholarly interests that are consistent with the department's mission.

A "Weak" essay is characterized by:

1. A well-organized but insufficiently detailed essay.
2. Addresses some, but not all, of the components of the instructions.
3. Paragraphs do not contain main topics.
4. A distracting number of errors in composition or spelling (i.e. > 2-3 per page).

5. No articulation of scholarly interests.

H. Other Supporting Materials (Ph.D. applicants only)

Applicants to the doctoral programs may, at their discretion, submit any materials they believe necessary to strengthen their application dossier.

Summary of application materials

Submit Your Application to the Graduate School:

• On-line application

• Application fee

Submit Your Application to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis:

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
253-B Education Building
1000 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706-1326
ATTN: Admissions

*Email Supporting documents, reason for study essay and resume, to the Department of Edudational Leadership & Policy Analysis. 

• Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• GRE scores
• Supporting documents (see item D, above)*
• Three letters of recommendation (if not submitted with online application)*
• "Reason for Study" essay (if not submitted with online application)*
• Resumé*
• Supporting Materials (Ph.D. applicants only – see item H above)

WARNING: If all application materials are not received or postmarked by the application deadline, your application will not be considered. (No exceptions)

I. Special Note on International Student Admissions:

English Proficiency

Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide an English proficiency test score. Scores are accepted if they are within two years of the start of the admission term.

An applicant whose TOEFL (paper-based) test score is below 580; TOEFL computer based test (CBT) score below 237; (TOEFL internet based iBT) test score below 92; IELTS score below 7; or MELAB below 82 must take an English assessment test upon arrival. Depending on your score you may need to register for any recommended English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in the first semester you are enrolled.

International students must provide documentation of one year of funding to the Graduate School to be eligible for admission (see Graduate School policy regarding funding).  Information on adequate financial resources is available at the Graduate School's International Applicant Financial Information page.

The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis does not provide funding to first year graduate students, and funding opportunities after the first year are limited and competitive.

International Student Visa Information.

The Admissions Process

In keeping with the department's mission and strategic plan, admissions will be based on a holistic view of each candidate with special attention to the potential for success in the desired program of study evidenced in the documentation provided. Please be aware that:

Application deadlines follow the schedule below.

All admissions decisions are made by the department faculty as a whole at the Department Meeting following the application deadline. Accordingly, students are admitted to the certification program three times a year; students are admitted to the Masters and Education Specialist Programs three times each year; and students are admitted to the doctoral program only once each calendar year.

No application will be considered for admission to any program unless all documentation listed in A through G above is on file. Applicants with incomplete files will not be considered.

A favorable vote of the Department faculty is required for the Department to recommend admission to the Graduate School. Upon admission, a member of the faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis will be assigned to serve as your initial advisor. Because of the volume of applications received by the department, qualified students must sometimes be denied admission. Those denied admission are welcome to reapply during the next admissions cycle.

External Links

• Re-entry Instructions
• International Students
• Tuition