Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis: K-12 Leadership, MS

All academic courses in the K-12 Leadership Principal Preparation program are delivered in person at the School of Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706.

You can find the graduate student tuition in the tuition and fees section of the Bursar’s Office. All courses are three credits, except for the practicums. Course information is outlined in the program schedule above.

If you have further questions about tuition, email tuition@bussvc.wisc.edu.

Yes, the Barbara S. and Glenn T. Thompson Graduate Award provides eight $8,000 scholarships annually to candidates working in rural schools upon their enrollment. For this scholarship, school rurality is defined as being part of a school district with a locale classification of town (31, 32, 33) or rural (41, 42, 43), according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The Wisconsin Public School Districts that meet this criteria for the 2025-2026 admission cycle are found in this Tableau Viz.

Here are some other options to consider as you plan your finances for graduate school. 

• Student Loans: With low-interest rates, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is the most common loan in many financial aid packages, but it may not cover all of your master’s degree expenses. Your next best loan option will be the Federal GradPLUS loan, which is approved based on your credit and can fill the gap between your other financial aid and your total cost. Private loans can be used to fill the gap as well, but they have fewer safeguards than the federal GradPLUS loan. When shopping for private loans compare interest rates, repayment terms, as well as lender incentives. The Office of Student Financial Aid has a loan comparison link for private loans on its website, here.
• Scholarships and Grants: Explore the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub to see if you qualify for any graduate student scholarship or grant opportunities. 
• Claim Tax Credits: Some graduate students can trim $2,000 from their tax bill every year with the Lifetime Learning Credit. Check the IRS website to see if you qualify. 
• Student Loan Forgiveness: You may be eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness or Public Service Loan Forgiveness depending on your employer and job title. 

Explore all education financing options through the Office of Student Financial Aid. 

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires six semesters of successful full-time classroom teaching experience, or six semesters of successful experience as a pupil services professional including 540 hours of classroom teaching experience, to be eligible for an administrative license. You can learn more about the requirements here. 

In addition to the minimum graduate school requirements, applicants must hold or be eligible for a teaching license and are required to upload the following items to the application. (see guide)

• An essay statement (not to exceed two pages) that addresses the following: 
  • Describe evidence in your educational practice of your commitment to addressing equity/social justice issues and a desire to lead with a focus on eliminating inequities.
  • Describe evidence of your instructional excellence with a range of diverse learners.
  • Describe evidence of leadership excellence related to equity and diversity.
  • Is there anything else you would like us to know about why you would be an excellent candidate for this program on social justice?
• Unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts will be requested prior to Graduate School admission.
• Resume or CV
• Three 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 the online application, submit names and emails of those requesting recommendation from.
• Supporting document if undergraduate GPA is below 3.00. In statement, explain why GPA does not accurately reflect high potential to serve in leadership roles.

The program application is completed online via the Graduate School. You can learn more about specific steps, timelines, and other related information here.

If someone does not hold a principal license, all courses required for principal certification, plus two additional courses per certification, are required (860 & 875 for the director of instruction, and 835 & 842 for the director of special education and pupil services). If seeking any of these licenses as an initial administrative license, a 150-hour field experience is required.

If someone currently holds a principal license, adding any of these licenses requires completing the two additional courses, plus a 75-hour field experience.

Additionally, enrollment in 2 credits of ELPA 700: “Field Experience in Educational Leadership” is required when adding each additional administrative license beyond a principal license.

You can find further information in this link.