Educational Leadership Certificate
The online Educational Leadership Certificate is a 28-credit online program designed to prepare candidates for Wisconsin PK–12 principal licensure. The program is intended for Wisconsin educators with a master’s degree who have or are eligible for a Tier II teaching license, including teachers who will have completed at least six semesters of successful full-time classroom teaching by the end of the program, as well as Wisconsin school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers who will have completed 540 hours of classroom teaching by program completion.
Grounded in constructivist principles and culturally relevant practice, the program is delivered through a collaborative, cohort-based model in which students progress together, building a strong professional network while engaging in meaningful, practice-based inquiry. The curriculum aligns with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, the Wisconsin Administrator Standards, and fulfills the professional requirements for Wisconsin principal (5051) licensure.
Completers of this program are eligible for the Wisconsin Principal License (5051).
This program is offered in an online format with cohorts typically beginning in the fall, spring and summer terms.
Admission requirements
To qualify for admission to the Educational Leadership Certificate, a candidate for the program must:
- Meet all UWL graduate application requirements.
- Hold a master’s degree in education or closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.85 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
- Provide a resume that documents at least one year of full-time employment in a K-12 setting and current position in a K-12 school.
-
Provide a copy of applicant's teacher license.
- Hold or is eligible to hold a Tier II, III, IV teacher license in K-12 and successful classroom teaching experience (will need six successful semesters of teaching experience prior to program completion).
- Hold or is eligible to hold a Tier II, III, IV license and six successful semesters experience as a school counselor, school psychologist or school social worker, and the applicant has successful teaching experience (540 hours of successful teaching experience are required prior to program completion).
- Complete a successful criminal background check (initiated by UWL).
Admission on probation
Students may be admitted on probation if they do not meet the minimum academic or graduate program admission requirements. Upon completion of nine graduate credits or two terms (whichever comes first) with a grade point average of 3.00 or above, the students will be removed from probation. Students admitted on probation will be dismissed from graduate study if their cumulative GPA is below 3.00 after completing nine graduate credits or two terms (whichever comes first). More information is in the graduate academic eligibility policy.
Criminal background check
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that candidates for admission to a teacher education, administration, or pupil services program successfully pass a criminal background check (CBC) as one criterion for admission. By applying for admission to one of these programs, candidates agree to provide the necessary personal information to UWL in order to initiate their CBC and to complete their portion of the process prior to the deadline specified in their admission letter. Program candidates are responsible for all costs associated with their criminal background check(s).
Out-of-state applicants
This program may meet other states' licensing requirements. An applicant's state may or may not require that the applicant get a Wisconsin teaching license to be endorsed for their program of study. The Wisconsin licensing process may include taking coursework in Native American Studies (ACT 31). The applicant should check with their state licensing board prior to applying to ensure they understand the appropriate pathway to meet their state's licensing requirements.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| EDU 765 | Introduction to Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDU 766 | The Principalship | 3 |
| EDU 767 | Data-based Decision Making for Instruction | 3 |
| EDU 768 | Supervision and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDU 769 | Leadership and Cultural Competence | 3 |
| EDU 770 | School Law | 3 |
| EDU 771 | School Finance and Resource Allocation | 3 |
| EDU 772 | Pedagogical Theory and Application I | 2 |
| EDU 782 | Pedagogical Theory and Application II | 1 |
| EDU 773 | Practicum in the Principalship and Practicum Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Program completion
Eligibility for Educational Leadership (5051) certification is contingent upon:
- Cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
- Satisfactory completion of Educational Leadership Program coursework, associated experiences, and artifacts (including an administrative portfolio)
- Have completed three years of successful full-time teaching experience at any of the grades at the early childhood through adolescence developmental range, OR have completed three years of successful experience as a school counselor, a school psychologist, or a school social worker, which includes evidence of at least 540 hours of successful classroom teaching experience (PI 34.065(4))
- Completed DPI employment verification form documenting completion of at least three years of employment as described above in K-12 schools or hold a WI Lifetime Teacher/Administrator license