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Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis: Cooperative Program with UW–Whitewater MS

Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

Posey Maddox in a UW-Madison classroom

Gain the professional edge and skills needed to be an educational leader in your district with the Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis master’s program, offered evenings and weekends in the certification area of your choice.


Is this program right for you?

Immerse yourself in the theory and practice of educational leadership in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Master’s Program from UW–Madison and UW–Whitewater, and leave with the skills needed to boost your career.

Earn a degree from UW–Madison by attending conveniently scheduled evening classes at UW–Whitewater. Faculty from both schools teach the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Master’s Program, which is known for its small class sizes and high-quality instruction. The typical student completes the academic program in three years.

The program will refine your skills and prepare you to analyze educational strategies and make data-driven decisions to solve problems and make your students and your district more successful. In addition to completing a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, students will also complete the certification requirements to be eligible for principal licensure. The certification for director of special education and pupil services will require completion of two UW–Madison courses not offered at UW–Whitewater.

Is this program right for you?

Immerse yourself in the theory and practice of educational leadership in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Master’s Program from UW–Madison and UW–Whitewater, and leave with the skills needed to boost your career.

Earn a degree from UW–Madison by attending conveniently scheduled evening classes at UW–Whitewater. Faculty from both schools teach the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Master’s Program, which is known for its small class sizes and high-quality instruction. The typical student completes the academic program in three years.

The program will refine your skills and prepare you to analyze educational strategies and make data-driven decisions to solve problems and make your students and your district more successful. In addition to completing a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, students will also complete the certification requirements to be eligible for principal licensure. The certification for director of special education and pupil services will require completion of two UW–Madison courses not offered at UW–Whitewater.

Admissions requirements

All applicants must:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.*
  • Hold or be eligible for a teaching license.
  • Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. The required proficiency scores are: TOEFL IBT 92, PBT 580; or IELTS 7.0.

*The admissions committee may consider an applicant that does not meet this requirement. Supporting factors include documentation of potential for leadership and relevant experiences that affect your ability to serve in leadership roles.

Application materials required:

  • Online application
  • Resume/CV
  • Essay
  • Transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation

Connect with us

Application Assistance: Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics

April 10
5-5:45 p.m.
Join MS in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics program staff and learn strategies to make your Committed Scholars Program scholarship application stand out.
Register for Application Assistance: MS in Ed Psych: Learning Analytics

Faculty Spotlight: MS in Ed Psych: Professional Educators

April 10
5-5:30 p.m.
Join a faculty member from the MS in Educational Psychology: Professional Educators program for a talk.
Register for Faculty Spotlight: MS in Ed Psych: Professional Educators

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Program highlights

  • Our Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis master’s program is offered in the evenings, so you can keep your career while advancing your education.
  • In addition to completing your Master of Science, you also complete the certification requirements for licensure as principal, director of instruction, or direction of special education and pupil services.
  • Our class sizes are kept small, so you get individualized, high-quality instruction from renowned professors.

The UW–Madison School of Education was ranked third in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 Best Education Graduate Schools rankings — marking the 10th straight year it has been rated among the top five.

How you'll learn

  • Classes meet evenings and weekends on the UW–Whitewater campus.
  • Students can enroll in as many or a few courses as they desire each term.
  • Work individually and in teams to complete coursework and assignments.

Sample curriculum

Semester 1 (Fall)

  • Introduction Educational Leadership
  • Leadership for Equity and Diversity

Semester 2 (Spring)

  • Data-Based Decision Making
  • Evaluating and Supporting Quality Classroom Teaching, or Theory and Design of the Curriculum, or Elementary School Curriculum, or other approved curricular course

Semester 3 (Summer)

  • Public School Law
  • Instructional Leadership and Teacher Capacity
  • School-Community Engagement

Semester 4 (Fall)

  • School Finance and Resource Allocation
  • Technology and School Leadership

Semester 5 (Spring)

  • School-Level Leadership
  • Field Experience in Educational Leadership

Job outlook

Top Job Titles
  • Assistant Principal
  • Principal
  • Special Education Director

Market Salary
$84K in 2019

Projected Job Growth
7.9% for Education Administrators (2016-2026)

Job Postings
15,412 in 2019

Source: Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight. 2020.
Burning Glass Technologies’ Market Salary is an estimated expected salary. Market Salary uses machine learning algorithms to account for experience, skill, and education among other factors that may impact individual salaries.

Ready to learn more about Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis: Cooperative Program with UW–Whitewater MS?
View the UW-Madison Guide

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Connect with our enrollment coaches

Our friendly, knowledgeable enrollment coaches are here to answer your questions. Contact an enrollment coach to:

  • Learn how to make this program work with your life/schedule
  • Get help with your application
  • Determine if financial aid is available

Visit with our coaches on campus or at an upcoming student fair in your area. Search student fairs & events.

Connect with a coach