UW–Madison Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis

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

Anjale Welton - professor of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, College of Education

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

Group of scholars talking in a group outside the Red Doors

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.

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.

ELPA STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

September 2023
ELPA PhD students CJ Greer and Mark White named as student reps to AERA Division G Graduate Student Executive Committee

August 2023
Dr. Janel Anderson (ELPA alum) and Deonte Iverson, PhD student, featured talking about issues in Education.

A study by Janella D. Benson, Joshua D. Wallace, and Carl D. Greer Jr., PhD students, shows how virtual community-building aided retention for Black graduate students during pandemic.

May Ramirez and Courtney Parker West, PhD students, selected for the Sixth Cohort of Morgridge Fellows

14 ELPA Master’s and Master’s in Sports Leadership named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars.

ELPA STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

July 2023
Ben Lebovitz, PhD student, selected for UCEA Graduate Student Council

Tony DelaRosa, PhD student and Ruttanatip (Dang) Chonwerawong, alum
Named in Madison365’s list of influential Asian American leaders

Dawn Crim, alum named vice chancellor for inclusivity and community engagement at UW–Green Bay

Previous Acknowledgements

ELPA Ph.D. Graduate Dissertation Database

Graduate application system for fall 2024 is now open. ELPA applicant information.

December 1, 2023 application deadline for fall 2024 admission for all ELPA PhD programs and Higher Education and Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation Master’s programs.