Administrative Leadership: Educational Administration and Supervision

A master’s in educational administration and supervision will prepare you for many careers in school, district, network, and other organizational leadership and administration. Specializations lead to single or dual licensure as principal, director of instruction, or director of special education and pupil services.

Cost Per Credit

$525

Jump to Program Details

Program Type

Master’s

Program Format

Online

Why Choose Our Program?

Tuition and pricing at $525 per credit!
Time: This is a two-year program that is paced to meet your needs. An accelerated, cohort option is also available (Summer to Summer).
Fully Online: All classes are offered in a convenient, fully online platform using both synchronous & asynchronous learning, with consistent and flexible access to instructors.
Leadership for Equity: All coursework in the program is aligned to a) the Department of Administrative Leadership Intentional Equity Principles, b) WI DPI Administrator Standards, and c) NELP Standards, all taught by practitioners with leadership for equity field experience.

Male teacher with glasses sitting with arm on table smiling at camera in classroom with bookshelves in the background — UWM Helped Noah Grow from Special Education Teacher to School Leader

We currently exist in an era of education where inequality, disparate achievement outcomes, and marginalizing experiences continue to persist for increasingly diverse schools. If you are ready to initiate or deepen your journey as a leader for equity for all students, families, and staff across all identities and their intersections, then this program is for you!

Our program curriculum is designed around our unique Educational Leadership for Intentional Equity Principles. We join theory and practice that disrupts educational marginalization and builds schools as proactive, equitable systems. We firmly believe that each and every child deserves a high quality educational experience, and we prepare leaders to execute on that right.

Educational Leadership for Intentional Equity graphic. — Educational Leadership for Intentional Equity

Potential Career Paths

Principal License	Director of Instruction License	Director of Special Education & Pupil Services License	Other Pathways
Principal	Director of Teaching and Learning	Special Education: Director Coordinator	Equity Coach
Assistant Principal	Director of Curriculum and Instruction	Special Education: Consultant	Equity Coordinator
Associate Principal	Director of Instruction	Student Services: Director	Equity Director
School Director	Director of Curriculum	Student Services: Coordinator	DEI School Consultant
Network Director	Curriculum Coordinator	Student Services: Counseling	School Improvement DIrector
Head of School	Instruction Coordinator	Student Services: Department Chair	School Improvement Coach
Director of Elementary Schools	Assessment Coordinator	Student Services: RTI/EMLSS Coordinator	Strategy and Operations Director
Director of Secondary Schools	Instructional Coach		Leadership Coach
Dean of Students			Gifted and Talented Coordinator
Dean of Culture
Athletics and Activities Director

Jane E. Dolan Administrative Leadership Scholarship: Pursuing the Principalship

Earn a Master of Science (MS) degree in K-12 Educational Leadership, with an equity and inclusion emphasis. The Master of Science in Administrative Leadership: Educational Administration and Supervision program leads to licensure in the state of Wisconsin – Principal (5051) and Director of Instruction (5010).

Scholarship Criteria:

Must enroll in the MS in Administrative Leadership: Educational Administration and Supervision
Must pursue the Principal (5051) and Director of Instruction (5010) licenses
Must currently be serving as an elementary educator

Time and Cost:

Two years, fully funded
Apply by April 15, 2026 to become eligible for this Scholarship

Begin in Fall 2026 and graduate in May 2028! Complete your degree and earn licensure in just 21 months!

Program Delivery Models and Course Sequencing

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers graduate students the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure in a flexible and convenient online format. Courses are offered through the Canvas platform and combine synchronous and asynchronous learning models. Synchronous meeting dates are provided in the Schedule of Classes. Students can generally complete the Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision program over six semesters by taking two courses each semester or work with a faculty advisor to determine the sequence and timeline that best meets one’s personal and professional needs.

Program Requirements

The master’s in educational administration and supervision requires a minimum of 33 credits.

Required Core Courses

Leadership in Educational Organizations
Organizational Change and Team Leadership
Instructional Leadership
The Politics of Education
School Law
Management of Educational Resources
Foundations in Systems of Educational Equity

Principal Specialization

Guiding Instructional Improvement
Principal Practicum

Director of Instruction Specialization

Guiding Instructional Improvement
Program Planning and Evaluation in Education
Director of Instruction Practicum

Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Specialization

Legislative and Legal Aspects of Special Education
Analysis and Design of Special Education and Student Services
Director of Special Education Practicum

All classes are offered in a convenient, fully online platform using both synchronous and asynchronous learning, with consistent and flexible access to instructors.

Course #	Principal and Director of Instruction Plan of Study	Credits
	Fall 2026
ADLDSP 702	Leadership in Educational Organizations	3
ADLDSP 752	School Law	3
	Spring 2027
ADLDSP 861	Foundations in Educational Equity	3
CURRINS 715	Guiding Instructional Improvement	3
ADLDSP 750a	Principal Internship	1
	Summer 2027
ADLDSP 732	Politics of Education	3
ADLDSP 762	Management of Educational Resources	3
ADLDSP 750b	Principal Internship	1
	Fall 2027
ADLDSP 712	Instructional Leadership	3
ADLDSP 842	Program Planning and Evaluation	3
	Spring 2028
ADLDSP 710	Organizational Change and Team Leadership	1
ADLDSP 750c	Principal Leadership	3
ADLDSP 790	Internship in Instructional Leadership	3
	Graduation: May 2028	33

Capstone Portfolio

Students pursuing the master’s degree and license only non-degree option complete their program with a culminating portfolio project.

View Requirements

Licensure/Program Paths

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure.

Students may also earn dual Principal and Director of Instruction licenses. Please contact us for details.

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a Director of Instruction program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure. A Director of Instruction specializes in oversight of curriculum, leading professional development for curricular improvements, coaching teachers, and using data to manage academic improvement.

Students may opt to earn dual Director of Instruction and Principal licenses, which can be completed with 33 credits. Please contact us for details.

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure.

Students interested in combining this license with other license specializations, should contact us for details.

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal & Director of Instruction online sequence of courses for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or dual DPI licensure: Principal License (51) and the Director of Instruction License (10). Please contact us to discuss this option.

This fully online, two-year accelerated sequence of courses is designed to meet the needs of those currently serving their schools as Wisconsin DPI-licensed teachers.

The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal and Director of Special Education/Pupil Services online sequence of courses for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or dual DPI licensure: Principal License (51) and the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services License (80). Please contact us to discuss this option.

DPI Licensure

Please be sure to review the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirements for administrator licensure.

Administrator Information

Note: Successful completion of the UWM master’s in educational administration and supervision program does not qualify students for initial educator licensure. If you have any questions, please contact us.

UWM will assist candidates in contacting the appropriate licensing board in the state in which the candidate’s preparation was completed and will assist the candidate in understanding the requirements of the appropriate licensing board prior to the candidate’s completion of the UWM master’s in educational administration and supervision program.

Application Process

Ready to apply to the master’s in educational administration and supervision? Learn more about the Administrative Leadership application process and your next steps.

Deadlines

Application deadlines vary by semester. Please apply at least six weeks prior to the start of the semester. Please review the application deadline chart for specific programs.

Admission Requirements

An applicant must meet the Department of Administrative Leadership requirements to be considered for admission to the master’s in educational administration and supervision program.

A 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA in all UWM and transfer courses at the time of admission application.

For programs regulated by the Department of Public Instruction, a baccalaureate degree, from an accredited college or university is required.

Non-Degree Admission

Applicants who are interested in the license only option may opt to apply as a non-degree student. Please consult with the program coordinator to determine whether non-degree is the right pathway for you.