The Basics

Audience: Educators who want to become school or district administrators, who do not already have a principal license.
Prerequisites: 

• Three years of successful teaching experience.
• Wisconsin teacher license
• Licensure only program: master's degree in education.

• License only (principal + director of Instruction): 24 credits
• M.S. Degree = 30 credits
• Optional DSEPS license: 2 additional credits

License Information

License #5051 Principal: Required for school administrative positions: principals, assistant principles and other positions, depending on district job requirements (e.g., deans, coordinators, etc.)
License #5010 Director of Instruction: Required for district administrative positions, depending on district job requirements (e.g., directors, coordinators, etc.)
License #5080 Director of Special Education & Pupil Services (DSEPS): Required for district special education administrative positions. Positions may include directors, etc.

• DPI description​

Course Information

• Cohort meeting only one weekend/month (Saturday/Sunday) typically 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Readings and assignments are completed outside of class time. Students coordinate occasional outside-of-class small group work times.

• Fall:
  • Sept 10, 11
  • Oct 1, 2
  • Nov 5, 6
  • Dec 3, 4
• Spring:
  • Feb 4, 5
  • Mar 4, 5
  • Apr 1, 2
  • May 6, 7
• Summer:
  • Arranged by cohort

Two Pathways Toward Licensure

The Educational Leadership Program runs cohorts that combine licensure only and master's degree-seeking students.

Option 1: Licensure Only*

Licenses: 

• #5051 Principal
• #5010 Director of Instruction
• #5080 DSEPS (optional)

• EDU613: Educational Leadership Theory and Practice  
• EDU632: Leadership in Special Education and Pupil Services  
• EDU685: Designs of Curriculum and Instruction  
• EDU686: Continuous Improvement in Education 
• EDU687: Educational Law  
• EDU688: Resource Allocation and Budget Deployment  

• EDU667: Instructional Supervision Seminar  
• EDU668: School Leadership   (Principal focus)
• EDU669:School Leadership  (Director focus)
• EDU 635: Spec. Ed Leadership (DSEPS focus, optional)

Option 2: Licensure + Masters in Science Degree

• #5051 Principal
• #5010 Director of Instruction
• #5080 DSEPS (optional)

• EDU607: Introduction to Educational Research  
• EDU609: Research Seminar I  
• EDU616: Research Seminar II  

What is a Practicum?

• Practical on-site field experience with an experienced school or district administrator. Practicum activities are customized to each candidate. Stated differently, practicum “courses” occur in the field. They do not meet in classrooms.
• The principal and director practica are 150 hours each.
• The DSEPS practicum is the third, which only requires 80 hours of fieldwork.

Educational Leadership Course Sequence

Fall 2022 - EDU613 and EDU685

Spring 2023 - EDU686 and EDU667

Summer 2023 - EDU632, EDU668, and EDU607  

Fall 2023 - EDU687, EDU669, and EDU609

Spring 2024 - EDU688, EDU634, and EDU616

Educational Leadership Programs Home Page