Administrative Leadership: Educational Administration and Supervision MS
A master’s in educational administration and supervision will prepare you for a career as a school or district administrator. Specializations lead to license as principal, director of instruction/curriculum director, or director of special education and pupil services.
Program Type
Program Format
Why Choose Our Program?
- Leadership for Intentional Equity Focus: Create better learning environments and places to work for all.
- Flexibility: Fully online program. Accelerated and half-time options for working adults.
- Expert Faculty: Research, practice, and policy integrated in a leadership framework.
- Interactive Learning: Immersive experiences where you really get to know your professors and classmates.
Are you committed to educational equity and social justice? Whether you’re looking to move from the classroom into the principal’s office or take on a new challenge as a district director, a master’s in educational administration and supervision from UWM will elevate your ability to engage, include, and serve all stakeholders in a school and district.
Our program curriculum is designed around our unique Educational Leadership for Intentional Equity Principles. It’s a rigorous curriculum joining theory and practice to disrupt marginalization and build schools as equitable systems.
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 primarily offered online through the Canvas platform and combine synchronous and asynchronous learning models. Synchronous meeting dates are provided in the Schedule of Classes. Students can 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.
DPI Licensure
Please be sure to review the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirements for administrator licensure.
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.
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
Capstone Portfolio
Students pursuing the master’s degree and license only non-degree option complete their program with a culminating portfolio project.
Licensure/Program Paths
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.
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.
- Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Department Chair, Administrative Leadership
- Program Director, Educational Administration and Supervision
- baldwic@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7620
- Enderis Hall 655
- Assistant Professor, Administrative Leadership
- Program Director, Adult, Continuing, and Higher Education Administration
- salto@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5155
- Enderis Hall 621
- Clinical Associate Professor, Administrative Leadership
- lwallace@uwm.edu
- 414-251-8614
- Enderis Hall 623
Program Overview & Requirements
The Master of Science in Administrative Leadership – Concentration in Educational Administration & Supervision requires a minimum of 33 credits, 27 of which must be in education and 6 of which may be in related fields. Credit distribution:
- 18-24 credits in educational administration and supervision
- 9-15 credits in related electives
- master’s capstone portfolio
For complete course & program details please see:
UWM Academic Catalog: Administrative Leadership, MS: Educational Administration and Supervision
Master’s Degree & Licensure Programs
The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure.
Students seeking a master’s degree must complete 33 credits.
Important Information
You can select AD LDSP 842 and AD LDSP 790 as electives if you wish to earn the Director of Instruction and Principal administrative licenses in one master’s degree.
If you already have a master’s degree and are pursuing Principal licensure, you may be able to use previous coursework to substitute for required courses. All electives or course substitutions must be approved by an advisor.
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure.
Students seeking a master’s degree must complete 33 credits.
Important Information
You can select AD LDSP 792 as an elective if you wish to earn the Director of Instruction and Principal administrative licenses in one master’s degree.
If you already have a master’s degree and are pursuing Director of Instruction (#10) licensure, you may be able to use previous coursework to substitute for some required courses. All electives or course substitutions must be approved by an advisor.
If you already hold an initial Wisconsin administrator license you are able to “add on” the Director of Instruction (#10) license by completing 2-3 additional courses and completing a capstone portfolio. Specialization courses are offered in spring and summer. See the Licensure Plans Add On Coursework (PDF) document for more information.
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
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 seeking a master’s degree must complete 33 credits.
Important Information
You can select CURRINS 701/715 and AD LDSP 792 as electives if you wish to earn the Special Education and Pupil Services and Principal licenses in one master’s degree (total of 36 credits).
If you already have a master’s degree and are pursuing Director of Special Education and Pupil Services (#80) licensure, you may be able to use previous coursework to substitute for some required courses. All electives or course substitutions must be approved by an advisor.
If you already hold an initial Wisconsin administrator license you are able to “add on” the Pupil Services Administrator (#80) license by completing 3-4 additional courses and completing a capstone portfolio. Specialization courses are offered during every odd academic year beginning in fall. See the Licensure Plans Add On Coursework (PDF) document for more information.
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Licensure Requirements (PDF)
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).
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.
Benefits of the Online Program
- Convenience – you study at your own time and pace
- Excellent student support services – 24/7 help desk, financial aid, virtual library and online registration
- Ability to complete a master’s degree program in two years
- Obtain dual licensure
- Core courses are also taught on campus in a face-to-face or hybrid format. Students can enroll in courses in those formats if they choose.
- Courses taught online by full-time, nationally recognized faculty members with both practitioner and research experience
- Flexible approaches to assignments and coursework with a student-first attitude
- Tradition of a long-term, accredited university
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
School Principal & Director of Instruction Licensure Requirements (PDF)
The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Principal & Director of Special Education and 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).
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must also complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
School Principal & Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Licensure Requirements (PDF)
The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a School Business Administrator program for students interested in either a master’s degree and/or DPI licensure.
Students seeking a master’s degree must complete 33 credits. If you already have a master’s degree and are pursuing School Business Administrator licensure, you may be able to use previous course work to substitute for required courses. All electives or course substitutions must be approved by an advisor.
If you already hold an initial Wisconsin administrator license you are able to “add on” the Director of Business Administration (#08) license by completing 4-6 additional courses and completing a capstone portfolio. Specialization courses are offered during certain semesters. See the Licensure Plans Add On Coursework (PDF) document for more information.
Upon completion of coursework required for licensure, you must complete and submit for review an electronic portfolio.
Specialist Certificate in Administrative Leadership – School Superintendent/District Administrator Specialist
The Department of Administrative Leadership offers a Specialist Certificate leading to licensure as a Wisconsin Superintendent/District Administrator. For more details, please see the School Superintendent / District Administrator Specialist program page.
Academic Resources
Dr. Cheryl Baldwin
Associate Professor and Program Director
baldwic@uwm.edu
414-251-7620
Office of Student Services
soeinfo@uwm.edu
414-229-4721