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WiscAd Program

Administrator Certification Program 
 
The WiscAd program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to provide  administrator certifications in the following areas. 
  • Principal
  • Director of Instruction
  • Director of Special Education and Pupil Services
  • School Business Administrator
  • Superintendent 

The WiscAd Program 

Who is eligible for the WiscAd Program? 
The WiscAd Program is for individuals who have at least three years of teaching experience and want to get an administrator license. A master's degree is required to be eligible for licensure as an administrator in Wisconsin. Individuals seeking a superintendent license must have a principal license.  For individuals who are seeking a  school business administrator certification and do not have previous teaching experience, additional coursework is required. 
 
What license will I have upon completion of the program? 
WiscAd Program completers are eligible for one or more of the following Wisconsin DPI license:  Principal #51, Director of Instruction #10, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services #80, School Business Administrator #08, and/or Superintendent #03. 
 
How long does it take to complete the program? 
The WiscAd Program is comprised of three semesters and takes approximately twelve months to complete. Each of the first two semesters of coursework is four months long. Students participate in weekly online, asynchronous discussions with the instructor and cohort members. There are approximately six-one hour Zoom meetings throughout the first two semesters. The third and final semester is the administrator practicum experience. There are no weekly discussion or class meetings during the practicum semester.
 
Where are classes offered? 
Our programs are designed for full-time professionals who have a demanding schedule and family commitments. The WiscAd Program is taught online via the Educate-WI website and Zoom, so students can learn from the convenience of their home while still interfacing with the instructor and cohort classmates on a regular schedule. Our online program allows students to learn flexibly and collaboratively without the cost and time needed for travel. 
 
Why is a cohort model important? 
The WiscAd Program is a cohort model, which means student stay with the same instructor and same classmates throughout their program experience. This allows our WiscAd students to join a network of colleagues that they can stay in touch with long after the program is completed and enjoy learning from others' perspectives, much like a department team. 
 
Who teaches the WiscAd Program cohorts? 
All of our WiscAd instructors are experienced  administrators in Wisconsin school districts. Students learn from leaders who are actively involved in teaching and learning in our schools which keeps the WiscAd curriculum current, relevant, and practical. Students have numerous opportunities to reflect and respond to real world scenarios led by instructors. Our instructors offer an online environment that is supportive and caring to all students' learning needs. Academic advisement is personalized to help students make the most of their WiscAd Program experience. The WiscAd instructors also serve as the practicum supervisor during the practicum semester(s).
 
How is the program structured? 
The online WiscAd Program courses are taken in sequential order. Students must demonstrate proficiency during each semester to progress to the next semester. 
 
Semester I 

EDWN 640: Leadership, Curriculum Development, and Supervision is a 3 credit online course. The course consists of weekly asynchronous discussions and three 1- hour zoom sessions throughout the semester. Students also begin working on limited practicum experiences to get a year round administrator experience.

Semester II 
EDWN 641: School District Operations and Leadership is a 3 credit online course. The course consists of weekly asynchronous discussions and three 1-hour zoom sessions throughout the semester.  Students work on limited practicum experiences to get a year round administrator experience.
 
Practicum I 
EDWN 642-646: Practicum I is a 3 credit administrative practicum experience. Students collaborate with a cooperating administrator to engage in  authentic leadership experience, upload artifacts to their portfolio and conference with their cooperating administrator and supervisor throughout the semester. 
 
Practicum II**
EDWN 642-646: Practicum II is a 3 credit administrative practicum experience. Students collaborate with a cooperating administrator to engage in  authentic leadership experience, upload artifacts to their portfolio and conference with their cooperating administrator and supervisor throughout the semester.
**This practicum is optional for those seeking two administrator licenses.
 
Can students complete more than one certification?
Students can complete up to two certification areas in one cohort. The program includes a practicum experience for the second certification. 
 
When can I start?
Online  cohorts begin every January, May, and September! Priority application deadlines for each semester are December 1, April 1, and August 1 (respectively). Applications may be accepted after that date.  All application information must be completed and the enrollment fee paid by the application deadline date.  
 
Is financial aid available?
Financial Aid is available through our partnership with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN). As part of the WiscAd online application process, students must complete an application to Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. On that application, students will select that they choose to enroll in Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Master of Arts in Education with a Custom Specialization Program if they wish to apply for financial aid.  A student may opt to complete the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Master's program. Students must complete an online FAFSA form and include the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Code   002380.
 

When the financial aid is awarded from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, the student receives the award  directly from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and must, in turn, pay Educate-WI for tuition in order to remain in good standing in the program.  Tuition is due on time to Educate-WI regardless of financial aid status.

What is the cost?
Enrollment               $     500       Non-refundable
Semester I                  $ 3,400      Tuition due on/before  the 15th of the first month of  Semester I
Semester II                $ 3,400      Tuition due on/before  the 15th of the first month of Semester II
Practicum I               $ 3,400       Tuition due on/before the 15th of the first month of Practicum I
Practicum II**         $ 3,400       Tuition due on/before the 15th of the first month of Practicum II
*Subject to change without notice. 
**Practicum II is optional for those students seeking two administrator certifications.
 
For students seeking two administrator certifications, there is an additional $500 fee for both Semester I and Semester II.
 
Will I earn graduate credits? 
Educate-WI students earn 9 graduate credits throughout the WiscAd Program and can request an official transcript from SMUMN. 
Master's Degree:   The credits earned through Educate-WI courses can be applied to the 30 credit  SMUMN M.A. in Education with Custom Specialization Program.
 
Doctoral Degree:   The credits earned through Educate-WI WiscAd courses can be applied to one of two doctoral options. 

1.  The online Traditional Doctor of Education: Leadership Program is a 61 credit program. If a student enrolls in the traditional Ed.D. program, our two WiscAd courses (EDWN 640 and EDWN 641) can be applied to two of the three 3-credit elective requirements. ​

2.  The online Executive Doctor of Education in  Leadership Program is a 39 credit program with no dissertation requirement! If a student enrolls in the Executive Ed.D. program, one of our WiscAd courses (EDWN 640 or EDWN 641) can be applied to the one 3-credit elective requirement.​

Graduate credits are recognized by some districts for salary advancement!
 
What are the admissions requirements?
The WiscAd Program admissions requirements are:
  1.  A  cover letter which describes your interest in the program and becoming an administrator. 
  2. An  official transcript that provides evidence that you hold a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree for those seeking certification in the areas of Principal, Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, School Business Administrator, and Superintendent: and a Doctorate or Education Specialist Degree/Education Specialist Degree Equivalency for those seeking a Superintendent certification. Students must have obtained a 3.0 GPA. The student must  request that an official transcript, that includes degree  conferred date be sent by  the university either through the mail or electronically through their parchment service to Educate-WI  to be admitted to the program. 
  3. A resume that includes relevant work experience. 
  4. Two letters of recommendation from employers/supervisors who can provide evidence to support your qualifications as a graduate student are required.
  5. Three years teaching experience verification and a copy of your educational license (link to verification form) for those seeking certification in the following areas: School Business Administrator (if a license is held, if not, see below), Director of Instruction, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services, Principal or Superintendent
  6. Master's Degree is required for an administrator license in Wisconsin.
  7. Evidence of a workshop in the areas of Minority Group Relations and Conflict Resolution for those seeking licensure as School Business Administrators who do not hold a teaching license. These workshops are offered through our EdNova program.
  8. A principal license if seeking the Superintendent certification.
  9. An Education Specialist Degree or Equivalency or a Doctoral Degree if seeking the Superintendent certification
  10. Students must be accepted at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota to be admitted to this program. 
  11.  Criminal  background check with no conviction or plea bargain for crimes which may impact school children and/or the maintenance of a safe and healthy school. The background check shall be completed no more than 6 months prior to the date of admission and include a review of criminal conduct at the state and federal levels. 
 

 

 

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100%
Placement Rate
18
Months to Complete the Program
3
Start Dates Throughout the Year
3
Semesters to Licensure!
Programs
WiscAd