Frequently Asked Questions

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

Contact 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 or the Educational Specialist Certificate.

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.

All transcripts will need to be reviewed before transfer credits are accepted. Students seeking K-12 leadership administrator certification from this department must take a minimum of six credits at UW–Madison.

Students seeking the MS degree must complete a minimum of 16 (of 30 total) credits from UW–Madison.
Students seeking the PhD degree must take at least 39 (of 75 total) credits from UW–Madison.

A maximum of six credits of coursework taken as a special student will be accepted toward either certification or a degree program as long as the minimum credit requirements listed above are met. If special student credits exceed six, they may have to be converted to graduate-level credits with the student paying the difference in tuition. The Graduate School allows for 15 credits of special student course work be accepted toward a degree, however, conversion of these credits from special to graduate will be required.

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.

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 three years. For all other programs, students meet with their advisor and develop a program plan. Advisors will assist in selecting the appropriate coursework.

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. The information sessions are conducted by current ELPA students. The dates and times of the sessions will appear on the ELPA website once established.

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 three 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.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis supports several PhD students with graduate assistantships and other funding. Full-time students admitted to the PhD program are offered funding along with admission offers. Part-time PhD students are not offered funding. Master’s students are not offered department funding. Most often, students seek assistantships in other areas on campus.

International PhD applicants who are offered admission are also offered funding. International Master’s applicants are not funded by the Department and must adhere to the Graduate School requirements for international student funding.  The university’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is mandatory for international students and their dependents living in the U.S.

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 Master’s program are advised by Dr. Elton Crim.  Students in the Global Higher Education strand are advised by Dr. Weijia Li.  Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation MS program students are advised by Dr. Tina Salzman. The K12 Master’s student advisor is Dr. Barb Sramek. Dr. Suzanne Eckes oversees the Educational Leadership Analysis and Evaluation MS program. 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. Well in advance of the semester you intend to enroll in class, a new application to the Graduate School and an application fee will be required.