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 Adminisrator (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.

Students holding a Master's degree may pursue the "licensure only" option by completing 18 credits in their chosen licensure track. The emphasis on administrative leadership prepares professional educators for administrative roles and supports 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.

Pathway to the LICI Doctoral Program: A new pathway starting in 2026-2027 is designed for students who already hold a master’s degree and want to pursue an administrator license—such as Principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, or Director of Special Education and Pupil Services—while also working toward a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in our LICI Doctoral Program. Through this option, selected elective credits earned as part of the licensure requirements can be applied directly to the EdD program, creating an efficient, integrated route to achieve both credentials. Students in this pathway complete 59 credits, earning an advanced terminal degree and the administrative license needed for PK–12 leadership roles.

Principal Licensure (#5051): The K–12 School Principal license prepares candidates for various school-based leadership roles in PK–12 settings. This license most directly corresponds to positions such as Elementary, Middle, or High School Principal, as well as Assistant or Associate Principal and Dean of Students. Principals oversee instructional leadership, staff supervision and evaluation, school culture and climate, student achievement, family and community involvement, and daily school operations. Holders of a Principal license are also well-equipped to pursue district-level leadership roles, work in leadership positions within Wisconsin schools, and participate in state education initiatives. 

The Director of Curriculum and Instruction (#5010): This license aligns with many roles within PK-12 settings, including Principal, Director of Professional Development, teacher-coaching positions such as Educator Effectiveness Coaches or Instructional Coaches, PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Coaches, Learning Coordinators, Dean of Students, and Assistant or Associate Principals. Individuals holding the Principal and Director of Instruction licenses are also uniquely qualified for positions within WI in CESA (Cooperative Educational Service Agency) programs, as well as roles within state education departments. 

The Director of Special Education and Pupil Services (#5080):  This license prepares dynamic district leaders to provide innovative educational services that support every child and promote successful school experiences for each student. Applicants for this license must either hold or be eligible for a professional educator license to teach or offer pupil services (such as a school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker). Additionally, applicants must have three years of successful full-time teaching experience at any grade level—from Early Childhood to Adolescence—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.

Christian School Leadership: Concordia University-Wisconsin (CUW) offers 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 designed to equip educational leaders with the knowledge, skills, and spiritual formation needed to guide 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. 

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 Principal
• #5010 Director of Instruction
• #5080 Director of Special Education and Pupil Service
• #5008 School of Business Administrator

Available non-licensable options:

• Christian School Leadership
• Athletic Administration Add-On

Degree and Experience Requirements

1. A minimum of a master’s degree or the equivalent. 
2. A valid or eligibility to hold a provisional educator license in teaching or pupil services. School of Business Administrator is waived from this requirement.
3. 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 of Business Administrator is waived from this requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

By fulfilling all of the course requirements for the Master's of Science in Educational Administration, students will be able to:

1. 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.
2. Ethics and Professional Norms. Effective educational leaders act ethically and according to professional norms to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
3. 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.     
4. 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. 
5. Care and Support. Effective educational leaders cultivate an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Operations and Management. Effective educational leaders effectively manage school operations and resources to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
10. School Improvement. Effective educational leaders act as agents of continuous school improvement to promote each pupil’s academic success and well-being.
11. Teacher Standards. Effective educational leaders understand and demonstrate competence in the teacher standards under s. PI 34.002.
12. 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)

Curriculum

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• ​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. 

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Students who complete the Athletic Administrator Add-On would not need additional elective credits. Students would complete a minimum 33 credits. 

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Course can be used for addition credit and licensure area

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This course is also required for all licensures.

Plan - Principal #5051

Plan - Director of Instruction #5010

Plan - Director of SPED #5080