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The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis (ELPA) offers a PhD in Wisconsin Idea Executive Educational Leadership Preparation Program that focuses explicitly on K-12 leadership for dramatically improving student performance and closing achievement gaps.

The theme of District and School Leadership for Equity and Excellence is infused through most courses and supported by theoretical and empirical, as well as practical, understandings. The program provides a coordinated plan that allows students to defend their dissertation within three to four years. The dissertation focuses on school, district, or community efforts to improve performance for all students. Cohort students receive training in qualitative and quantitative inquiry and analysis and are expected to develop a study design for the dissertation that is appropriate to address their research questions.

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Fall Deadline December 1
Spring Deadline The program does not admit in spring.
Summer Deadline The program does not admit in summer.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required.
English Proficiency Test Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241.
Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) n/a
Letters of Recommendation Required 3

Application

The PhD in Wisconsin Idea Executive Educational Leadership Preparation Program operates in a cohort model and admits new students in even years (2026, 2028, 2030, etc.). The application is not open for admission in odd-years (2027, 2029, 2031, etc.). If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Program Manager.

Applicants are required to upload the following items to the online application:

  1. Essay statement. Specific requirements for the essay at this link: https://elpa.education.wisc.edu/admissions-and-aid/
  2. Unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts will be required prior to Graduate School admission. 
  3. Resume or CV
  4. Three letters of recommendation. We require recommendations from three (3) people who are qualified to evaluate the academic and professional competence of the applicants.
  5. Applicants must have a masters degree in Educational Leadership or other relevant field leading to principal licensure to be considered for admission.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

On This Page

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

Face to Face Evening/Weekend Online Hybrid Accelerated
Yes Yes No No No

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirements 60 Credits
Minimum Residence Credit Requirement 32 credits
Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement 51 credits must be gradute-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244
Overall Graduate GPA Requirement 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Graduate Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203
Other Grade Requirements n/a
Assessments and Examinations Doctoral Students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required.
Language Requirements n/a
Graduate School Breadth Requirement All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. Refer to the Graduate School: Breadth Requirement in Doctoral Training policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200

Required Courses

Core Requirements
ELPA 810Doctoral Inquiry in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis3
ELPA/​ED PSYCH  822Introduction to Quantitative Inquiry in Education3
ELPA 824Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis3
ELPA 825Dissertation Proposal Writing in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis3
ELPA/​RP & SE  835Leadership for Inclusive Schooling3
ELPA 846The School Superintendency3
ELPA 860Organizational Theory and Behavior in Education3
ELPA 870The Politics of Education3
ELPA 875Theory and Practice of Educational Planning3
ELPA 910Seminar in Educational Law3
ELPA 911Authentic Pedagogy and Achievement3
ELPA 960Seminar in Educational Finance3
Special Topics
ELPA 940Special Topics Seminar in Educational Leadership3
ELPA 940Special Topics Seminar in Educational Leadership3
Research or Thesis
ELPA 990Research or Thesis9
Breadth9
All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate in consultation with their advisor.
Total Credits60

Other Policy

Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits to Prior Coursework policy.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits to Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits to Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW-Madison

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits to Prior Coursework policy.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor/Committee

Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master's/MFA), policies.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

School of Education Grievance Policy and Procedures

The following School of Education Student Grievance Policy and associated procedures are designed for use in response to individual student grievances regarding faculty or staff in the School of Education.

Any individual student who feels they have been treated unfairly by a School of Education faculty or staff member has the right to file a grievance about the treatment and receive a timely response addressing their concerns. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these grievance procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies. The grievance may concern classroom treatment, mentoring or advising, program admission or continuation, course grades (study abroad grade complaints are handled through International Academic Programs), or issues not covered by other campus policies or grievance procedures. 

For grievances regarding discrimination based on protected bases (i.e., race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, etc.), contact the Office of Compliance (https://compliance.wisc.edu/eo-complaint/).

For grievances or concerns regarding sexual harassment or sexual violence (including sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation), contact the Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program within the Office of Compliance.

For grievances that involve the behavior of a student, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards in the Dean of Students Office at https://conduct.students.wisc.edu/).

For grievances about, or directed at, faculty or staff in a School of Education department, unit, or program, students should follow these steps:

  1. Students are strongly encouraged to first talk with the person against whom the concern is directed. Many issues can be settled informally at this level. If students are unable to resolve concerns directly or without additional support, step 2 or 3 should be pursued.
  2. If unresolved after taking or considering step 1:
    1. If the concern is directed against a teaching assistant (TA), and the student is not satisfied, the student should contact the TA's supervisor, who is usually the course professor. The course professor will attempt to resolve the concern informally.
    2. If the concern involves a non-TA instructor, staff member, professor, academic department, or School of Education office or unit, the student should contact the chair of the department or the director of the office or unit, or their designee. The chair or director, or their designee, will attempt to resolve the concern informally. If the concern is about the department chair or office/unit director, the student should consult the School of Education Senior Associate Dean for guidance.
  3. If the concern remains unresolved after step 2, the student may submit a formal grievance to the chair or director in writing within 30 business days1 of the alleged unfair treatment. To the fullest extent possible, a formal written grievance shall contain a clear and concise statement of the issue(s) involved and the relief sought.  
  4. On receipt of a written grievance, the chair or director will notify the person at whom the grievance is directed with a copy of the written grievance. The person at whom the complaint is directed may submit a written response, which would be shared with the student.
  5. On receipt of a written grievance, the chair or director will refer the matter to a department, office, or unit committee comprised of at least two members. The committee may be an existing committee or one constituted for this purpose. The committee, or delegates from the committee, may meet with the parties involved and/or review any material either party shares with the committee.  
  6. The committee will provide a written description of the facts of the grievance and communicate recommendations to the department chair or office/unit head regarding how the grievance should be handled.
  7. The chair or director will offer to meet with the student who made the grievance and also will provide a written decision to the student, including a description of any related action taken by the committee, within 30 business days of receiving the formal grievance.
1

For the purpose of this policy, business days refers to those days when the University Offices are open and shall not include weekends, university holidays, spring recess, or the period from the last day of exams of fall semester instruction to the first day of spring semester instruction. All time limits may be modified by mutual consent of the parties involved.

If the grievance concerns an undergraduate course grade, the decision of the department chair after reviewing the committee’s recommendations is final. 

Other types of grievances may be appealed using the following procedures:

  1. Both the student who filed the grievance or the person at whom the grievance was directed, if unsatisfied with the decision of the department, office or unit, have five (5) business days from receipt of the decision to contact the Senior Associate Dean, indicating the intention to appeal.   
  2. A written appeal must be filed with the Senior Associate Dean within 10 business days of the time the appealing party was notified of the initial resolution of the complaint.
  3. On receipt of a written appeal, the Senior Associate Dean will convene a sub-committee of the School of Education’s Academic Planning Council. This subcommittee may ask for additional information from the parties involved and/or may hold a meeting at which both parties will be asked to speak separately (i.e., not in the room at the same time).
  4. The subcommittee will then make a written recommendation to the Dean of the School of Education, or their designee, who will render a decision. The dean or designee’s written decision shall be made within 30 business days from the date when the written appeal was filed with the Senior Associate Dean.  For undergraduate students, the dean or designee’s decision is final.

Further appealing a School of Education decision – graduate students only

Graduate students have the option to appeal decisions by the School of Education dean or designee by using the process detailed on the Graduate School’s website.

Questions about these procedures can be directed to the School of Education Dean's Office, 377 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, 608-262-1763.

Resources

Other

n/a

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Articulate research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the study of educational leadership.
  2. Formulate ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the boundaries of knowledge within the study of educational leadership.
  3. Create research or scholarship that makes a substantive contribution to the field of practice.
  4. Demonstrate breadth within their learning experiences through experiences and artifacts in curriculum and instruction, leadership, personnel, and knowledge and skill development gained through field placements.
  5. Advance contributions to society in the study and practice of educational leadership.
  6. Communicate complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner.
  7. Understand the role of the Superintendent as the district’s “first” educational leader.
  8. Identify and view the issues and decisions inherent in district leadership through a social justice lens leading to the elimination of inequity for both students and staff.
  9. Explore the many roles and perspectives of the Superintendent as educator, corporate leader and community leader.
  10. Develop an understanding of the fundamental personal leadership skills necessary to lead an organization.
  11. Recognize the impact that local, state, national and international events/trends (both actual and perceived) have on the office of the Superintendent.
  12. Recognize the difference between leadership and management.

 Certification/Licensure

If seeking educational administrator licensure as part of the PhD in Wisconsin Idea Executive Educational Leadership Preparation Program, a practicum experience requiring 150 contact hours for an initial administrator license and an additional 75 hours for each additional administrative license.

Additional Department of Public Instruction Licensure Requirements:

  1. Completion of a state-approved educator preparation program in the licensure area.
  2. A minimum of master's degree or the equivalent. Superintendent license requires a specialist degree or equivalent; program coordinator licenses require a bachelor's degree.
  3. A valid or eligibility to hold a provisional educator licensure in teaching or pupil services. School business administrator and program coordinator licenses are waived from this requirement.
  4. 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. School business administrator and program coordinator licenses are waived from this requirement.

https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/general/administrators

Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)

The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The expectation is that institutions will determine whether each applicable academic program meets state professional licensure requirements and provide a general disclosure of such on an official university website.

Professional licensure requirements vary from state-to-state and can change year-to-year; they are established in a variety of state statutes, regulations, rules, and policies; and they center on a range of educational requirements, including degree type, specialized accreditation, total credits, specific courses, and examinations.  

UW-Madison has taken reasonable efforts to determine whether this program satisfies the educational requirements for certification/licensure in states where prospective and enrolled students are located and is disclosing that information as follows.

Disclaimer: This information is based on the most recent annual review of state agency certification/licensure data and is subject to change. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with the individual/office listed in the Contact Information box on this page and with the applicable state agency for specific information.

The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:

Wisconsin

The requirements of this program do not meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:

Not Applicable

Updated: June 1 2026