Frequently Asked Questions

Obtain information regarding the Graduate School and the admission and application process. Obtain information on the department requirements.

For Master’s, Educational Specialists, and Doctoral degrees, credits earned ten or more years prior to matriculation into the program cannot satisfy degree requirements.

For additional questions, please contact Graduate Program Manager Shari Smith ​at 608-263-2701 or email Shari Smith.

Not necessarily. Administrator certification requires specific coursework not necessarily taken to receive an MS or a PhD. Feel free to review the requirements for K-12 administrator certifications.

Procedural Requirements: All programs require the submission of an online application form submitted to the Graduate School and an application fee paid directly to the Graduate School. The department will obtain the application from the Graduate School and recommend students for admission. The department does not require a separate application form. Please review the department admission requirements and application process.

For Master’s, Educational Specialists, and Doctoral degrees, credits earned ten or more years prior to matriculation into the program cannot satisfy degree requirements.

Learn more about the Graduate School policy for transfer credits from prior coursework.

Learn more about the Graduate School policy for transfer credits from prior coursework.

The Graduate School considers full-time enrollment to be 8-12 graduate-level credits (300 and above; no audits or pass/fail) during the fall and spring semesters and 4-8 graduate credits during the eight-week summer session. A student who has dissertator status is considered full-time with 3 graduate-level credits.

Because not everyone’s schedule is the same, we do not have a set visitation day, however, we welcome prospective students to come to campus when their schedules allow. Please contact Graduate Program Manager Shari Smith if you are interested in scheduling a visit.

Please contact the Graduate Program Manager Shari Smith or call 608-263-2701 for an advising appointment and options for meeting with faculty, sitting in on classes, and touring the campus. If you wish to arrange your own tour, contact Campus and Visitor Relations.

Yes. Online information sessions are typically scheduled for late October and early November. Some of our programs also hold sessions in the spring. The dates and times of the sessions will appear on the ELPA website and social media accounts once established.

During the academic year, fall and spring, the majority of courses are offered in the evening from 4:40-7:10 or 7:15-9:45. The Wisconsin Idea Executive PhD Cohort, the Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation Program (online program), and the K12 MS Leadership program courses are offered on Friday evenings and Saturdays during fall and spring semester and over three weeks in the summer. During the summer session, most courses are offered in the day.

Our K-12 Leadership Master’s and our Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation Program Master’s are cohorts that begin each summer. The Global Higher Education Master’s is a cohort that begins each fall. The Wisconsin Idea Executive PhD is a cohort that begins every two years. For all other programs, students meet with their advisor and develop a program plan. Advisors will assist in selecting the appropriate coursework.

Full-time/part-time Status: The Graduate School considers full-time enrollment to be 8-12 graduate-level credits (300 and above; no audits or pass/fail) during the fall and spring semesters and 4-8 graduate credits during the eight-week summer session. A student who has dissertator status is considered full-time with 3 graduate-level credits.

Newly admitted full-time PhD students in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis may be offered funding from a combination of school or university fellowships, teaching assistantships, and/or project/research assistantships based upon availability. Funding is not contingent upon accepting offers of admission.

Part-time students are not eligible for department funding.

Learn more about international student information here.

PhD students are assigned an initial advisor by the department. Advisors can be changed upon student request with faculty approval. View faculty profiles.

​Master’s students are assigned advisors based on their named option. Students in the Higher Education MS program are advised by Dr. Elton Crim Jr. Students in the Global Higher Education MS program are advised by Dr. Weijia Li. K12 Leadership MS and Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation MS students are advised by Dr. Tina Salzman. Students in the Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation MS program are assigned an Educational Policy Analysis and Evaluation faculty member as their advisor. Students in the Sports Leadership MS program are advised by Dr. Sara Jimenez Soffa.

The MS degree program must be completed within five (5) years from the date of admission to the program. Failure to complete the program in 5 years will result in the student being declared “inactive.” Students declared “inactive” will be ineligible to complete their degree until a new graduate program has been approved by the department and any new or different program requirements then in effect have been met. Students declared “inactive” for three (3) years may be dropped from the MS program. Students who have been dropped must seek readmission to a specific degree program in the department and meet all existing admission and program requirements.

The PhD Program Preliminary Examination must be passed within seven (7) years from the date of admission to the program. The dissertation must be satisfactorily completed within five (5) years of passing the Preliminary Examination. The Graduate School requires that after completion of the Preliminary Examination and all program requirements the student enroll for at least three (3) graduate credits each semester as a “dissertator” until completion of the final oral examination. Any student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree will be declared “inactive.” Students declared “inactive” will be ineligible for any final examination or degree in the department. “Inactive” students must have a new graduate program approved and must meet the new program and examination requirements in effect at that time. Students declared “inactive” for three years may be dropped from the PhD program. Students who have been dropped must seek readmission and meet all existing admission, program, and examination requirements.

Field experiences ​for higher education or educational policy students are arranged ​in consultation with a faculty advisor. Students in K-12 Leadership cohorts complete a practicum as part of their degree/certification requirements.

To receive a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from UW–Madison, you must complete and deposit your dissertation at UW–Madison.

Yes, however, you would need to apply for readmission via the Graduate School, and the department would need to approve your reentry. Approval of reentry can be contingent upon time absent from the program.