Master of Science in Education - Educational Administration
The Master of Science in Education - Educational Administration program is a Wisconsin DPI licensure program that offers multiple licensure options. The Master's degree requires at least 30 unique credits to be completed within the program. This program adheres to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) - District Standards as well as the Wisconsin State Administrative Standards for Principal (5051), Director of Curriculum and Instruction (5010), Director of Special Education and Pupil Services (5080), and School Business Administrator (5008). Furthermore, these programs fulfill professional educational requirements for licensure in Wisconsin. Applicants seeking licensure in other states should verify their state’s licensing requirements.
Beginning in Fall 2025, Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) is excited to introduce an innovative non-licensure track in the School of Education: Christian School Leadership. This concentration is designed for educational professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills while incorporating a Christ-centered approach to school administration. Whether you are an experienced educator or an aspiring leader in a faith-based institution, this non-licensure track presents a unique opportunity to blend Christian values with educational leadership. The Christian School Leadership track is specifically developed to equip educational leaders with the knowledge, skills, and spiritual formation required for guiding schools from a Christian perspective. Grounded in Lutheran theology and principles, this program fosters the growth of servant leaders ready to transform their educational communities. The curriculum focuses on ethical and moral decision-making, empathy, integrity, and a commitment to service—all rooted in biblical teachings.
Applicants interested in pursuing a position as an Athletic Director should consider the Athletic Administrator Concentration Add-On to enhance their administrator license. This 9-credit concentration is offered in partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). This fully online area of emphasis includes curriculum from NIAAA Leadership Training Courses (501, 503, 504, 506, 511) required for RAA and CAA certifications. Topics within this curriculum cover Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Interscholastic Sports Organization and Administration, Fundraising and Development, and Facility Management. Courses are practitioner-oriented and taught by professionals with backgrounds in sports management and interscholastic athletic administration. Credits earned in this concentration can be applied toward a Master's degree.
Students holding a Master's degree may pursue the "licensure only" option by completing 18 to 24 credits in their chosen licensure track. The emphasis on administrative leadership aims to prepare professional educators for administrative roles and support current administrators in enhancing organizational and leadership capabilities. This program is designed to help students develop essential skills in decision-making, human resource management, teacher evaluation, curriculum leadership, and innovative instructional change.
The Director of Instruction license aligns with many positions within PK-12 environments, such as Principal, Director of Professional Development, teacher coach positions like Educator Effectiveness Coaches or Instructional Coach or PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) Coaches, Learning Coordinators, Dean of Students, and Assistant or Associate principals. Individuals with the Principal and Director of Instruction licenses are also uniquely qualified for positions within WI in CESA (Cooperative Educational Service Agency) programs, positions within state education departments, and university College/School of Education positions.
The Director of Special Education and Pupil Services license is designed to prepare dynamic district leaders to deliver innovative educational services that support every child and foster successful school experiences for each student. Candidates for this licensure must either hold or be eligible for a professional educator license to teach or provide pupil services (such as school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker). Additionally, candidates must have three years of successful full-time teaching experience at any grade level (from Early Childhood to Adolescent) or relevant experience as a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker, which includes documentation of at least 540 hours of successful classroom teaching experience.
The educational administrative concentration in the Master of Science in Education allows the applicant to receive Wisconsin State Administrative license(s) through the Department of Public Instruction.
Available license options:
- #5051 Administrator
- #5010 Director of Instruction
- #5080 Director of Special Education and Pupil Service
- #5008 School Business Administrator
Available non-licensable options:
- Christian School Leadership
- Athletic Administration Add-On
Degree and Experience Requirements
- A minimum of a master’s degree or the equivalent.
- A valid or eligibility to hold a provisional educator license in teaching or pupil services. School Business Administrator is waived from this requirement.
- 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 is waived from this requirement.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Program Learning Outcomes for this program align with the Wisconsin Administrator Standards and the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards. The standards include:
The eleven state of WI administrator standards for administrator development and licensure are:
- Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Effective educational leaders develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education, academic success, and well-being of each pupil.
- Ethics and Professional Norms. Effective educational leaders act ethically and according to professional norms to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Equity and Cultural Responsiveness. Effective educational leaders strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Effective educational leaders develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Care and Support. Effective educational leaders cultivate an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Professional Capacity of School Personnel. Effective educational leaders develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Professional Community. Effective educational leaders foster a professional community of teachers and other professional staff to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Meaningful Engagement. Effective educational leaders engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Operations and Management. Effective educational leaders effectively manage school operations and resources to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- School Improvement. Effective educational leaders act as agents of continuous school improvement to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
- Teacher Standards. Effective educational leaders understand and demonstrate competence in the teacher standards under s. PI 34.002.
- The administrator models Christian servant leadership through consistent, moral and ethical behaviors and, by example, inspires others to do likewise in their personal, professional and community life. (Concordia University Standard)
Christian School Leadership Program Goals
1. Develop a leadership philosophy focused on Christ that is grounded in Lutheran theology.
2. Encourage ethical and moral decision-making based on biblical principles.
3. Prepare educators to lead with empathy, integrity, and a dedication to service.
4. Equip leaders to incorporate faith into all aspects of school administration.
5. Advocate for social justice, equity, and inclusion from a Christian perspective.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 9 | |
| Specialization Area | 21 | |
| Athletic Administrator Add-On (optional) 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for Master's Degree (9 credits) | ||
| EDG 5100 | Educational Research Methods | 3 |
| EDG 6100 | Leadership in Administration and Cultures of Change *** | 3 |
| EDG 7140 | Ed Admin Capstone | 3 |
| Specialization Areas (21 credits): | ||
| #5051 Licensure - Principal | ||
| EDG 6105 | Legal and Ethical Leadership in Schools ** | 3 |
| EDG 6110 | Financial and Human Resource Management for School Leaders ** | 3 |
| EDG 6115 | Teacher Development, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| EDG 6120 | Teacher and Leader Assessment Designed for Continuous Learning | 3 |
| EDG 7100 | Ed Admin Practicum | 3 |
| EDG 7120 | Ed Admin Portfolio I | 0 |
| EDG 7121 | Ed Admin Portfolio II | 0 |
| EDG 7122 | Ed Admin Portfolio III | 0 |
| Electives 2 | 6 | |
| #5010 Licensure - Director of Instruction | ||
| EDG 5130 | Leadership for Curriculum and Instruction ** | 3 |
| EDG 5135 | Curriculum Development ** | 3 |
| EDG 6115 | Teacher Development, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| EDG 6120 | Teacher and Leader Assessment Designed for Continuous Learning | 3 |
| EDG 7100 | Ed Admin Practicum | 3 |
| EDG 7120 | Ed Admin Portfolio I | 0 |
| EDG 7121 | Ed Admin Portfolio II | 0 |
| EDG 7122 | Ed Admin Portfolio III | 0 |
| Electives 2 | 6 | |
| #5080 Director of Special Education & Pupil Services | ||
| EDG 6115 | Teacher Development, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| EDG 6120 | Teacher and Leader Assessment Designed for Continuous Learning | 3 |
| EDG 6180 | Leadership for Inclusive Instruction, Classrooms and Schools ** | 3 |
| EDG 6185 | Legal and Financial Foundations for Special Education and Pupil Services ** | 3 |
| EDG 7100 | Ed Admin Practicum | 3 |
| EDG 7120 | Ed Admin Portfolio I | 0 |
| EDG 7121 | Ed Admin Portfolio II | 0 |
| EDG 7122 | Ed Admin Portfolio III | 0 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| #5008 Licensure - School Business Administrator 1 | ||
| EDG 6105 | Legal and Ethical Leadership in Schools | 3 |
| EDG 6110 | Financial and Human Resource Management for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDG 6125 | Compensation and Benefits | 3 |
| EDG 6130 | School Business Management Auxiliary Services | 3 |
| EDG 6135 | School Bus Mgmt Strategy | 3 |
| EDG 6140 | School Business Management Strategy II | 3 |
| EDG 7100 | Ed Admin Practicum | 3 |
| EDG 7120 | Ed Admin Portfolio I | 0 |
| EDG 7121 | Ed Admin Portfolio II | 0 |
| EDG 7122 | Ed Admin Portfolio III | 0 |
| Christian Leadership | ||
| EDG 6102 | Christian Leadership Foundations | 3 |
| EDG 6112 | Legal and Ethical Decision-Making in Christian Leadership | 3 |
| EDG 6115 | Teacher Development, Supervision, and Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| BUS 6400 | Nonprofit Fundraising and Grant Writing | 3 |
| EDG 9225 | Other Duties as Assigned - Innovative and Essential Business Practices in School Leadership | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Athletic Administrator Add-On (Optional) | ||
| EDG 6145 | Foundations of Budgeting, Finance and Planning in Athletic Administration | 3 |
| EDG 6147 | Strategies for Organizational Management in Athletic Administration | 3 |
| EDG 6149 | Legal Issues in Athletic Administration | 3 |
| Additional Electives (students may also complete coursework from a second licensure area) | ||
| Publicity and Public Relations | ||
| Human Resource Management and Administration | ||
| Digital & Social Media Marketing Strategies | ||
| Leadership for Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| Curriculum Development | ||
| Teacher and Leader Assessment Designed for Continuous Learning | ||
| Branding Strategy in Education | ||
| Leading Non-Profit Organizations | ||
- 1
- School business administrator are waived from the requirement to hold a valid or eligibility to hold a provisional educator license in teaching or pupil services.
- School business administrator licenses are waived from the requirement to have 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.
- 2
Students who complete the Athletic Administrator Add-On would not need additional elective credits. Students would complete a minimum 33 credits.
- **
Course can be used for addition credit and licensure area
- ***
This course is also required for all licensures.