Educators wanting to earn the credentials to pursue a principal license in Wisconsin have a new, fully online option offered by UW–Madison’s highly regarded School of Education.
The Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation (WIPP) master’s degree program, which can be completed in 15 months, was recently approved.
Housed in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, this program is cohort-based, with educators learning with and from both peers and leading scholars.
The application deadline to start the program in the summer of 2022 is April 1.
“The carefully tailored curriculum for this unique K-12 school leadership program is informed by the research conducted at one of the nation’s top schools of education,” says Jerlando F. L. Jackson, chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. “Students enrolled in the program will receive instruction and advising from highly regarded researchers and award-winning practitioners who have a history of cultivating equity focused leaders for change to benefit all students.”
This master’s program was previously offered in person but moved online in March of 2020 due to coronavirus safety protocols. While being taught online, faculty, staff, and students experienced the same high quality and rigorous learning opportunities. The increase in reach and flexibility provided via the online learning environment bolstered interest in the master’s program from educators around the state.
“Tailored for working educators, this online master’s degree program affords statewide access to a top-tier, reputable educational leadership program designed to equip aspiring leaders with the knowledge and skills to tackle the complex challenges in K-12 education,” says Tina Salzman, the director of the Wisconsin Idea Principal Preparation Program.
WIPP engages in application-based coursework that thoughtfully builds on each lesson and provides opportunities to apply this knowledge to real-world situations. This work teaches educators how to lead and build a cycle of equity-focused, continuous improvement that can empower staff across a school to bring lasting change.
WIPP cohorts begin each summer, with students taking three courses for nine credits. In the fall and spring semesters, participants meet online five weekends (Friday evenings and Saturdays) each semester. The program wraps up with one more summer term of two courses for six credits.
Upon successful completion, participants earn a master of science in educational leadership and policy analysis, and are eligible to apply for the principal license in Wisconsin. Those who complete the program can also choose to pursue additional coursework that next fall leading to licensure in director of instruction and/or director of special education and pupil services.
“From our research and school performance data, we know that school principals have a significant influence on school culture, building instructional capacity, and establishing expectations centered on equity and excellence,” says Jackson, who concurrently holds the Rupple-Bascom Professorship of Education and the Vilas Distinguished Professorship of Higher Education. “From decades of research, we have learned that the impact of school leaders on student outcomes is second only to classroom teachers. That is why there is significant interest in providing greater access to ELPA scholars and scholar-practitioners to add to the state’s pipeline of strong K-12 school-level leaders.”