2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

Department website: https://www.uwgb.edu/ms-leadership-teaching/

The Master of Science in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning at UW–Green Bay is an applied, cohort-based graduate program designed for working professionals who want to strengthen their leadership capacity in PK–12 schools, higher education, business, healthcare, nonprofits, and other organizational settings. The program emphasizes reflective inquiry, evidence-based decision-making, and applied research connected to authentic problems of practice.

Students complete a 30-credit curriculum that blends theory and practice and culminates in an applied research project or thesis. Cohorts meet approximately two Saturdays per month, with additional online learning to support flexibility for professionals.

The MSAL degree may be completed on its own or paired with Administrative Licensure (Principal, PK–12) and/or the K–9 Teaching License pathway for individuals seeking Wisconsin educator certification.

Program Highlights

• Flexible for Working Professionals – Courses meet two Saturdays per month; online options included.

• Cohort Model – Students progress through the program together, building a supportive professional learning community.

• Applied Learning – Coursework connects directly to students’ professional settings and goals.

• Customizable Area of Emphasis – Students design 9 credits of specialized study aligned to their interests or certification needs.

• Optional Licensure Pathways – Principal (PK–12) and K–9 Teaching License.

Credit for Prior Learning

The Master of Science in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning allows students to pursue academic credit for graduate-level knowledge gained through various experiences, both traditional and nontraditional, via the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process. Graduate faculty in Education evaluate whether CPL experiences are equivalent to specific courses. Examples of prior learning may include the following:

Completion of professional certifications or licensure
Military training or service (connected to coursework in the degree program)
Work experience in a specialized field (connected to coursework in the degree program)
Non-credit coursework or training programs

Students who are interested in pursuing this option must submit a graduate portfolio which includes an abstract, artifacts (reports, program designs, certifications, etc.), a crosswalk describing how the evidence meets learning outcomes as well as a statement describing where the knowledge was acquired. Please meet with the program director for more details, including a list of previously vetted programs that would not require a complete portfolio. If approved, this coursework will appear on the transcript as transfer credit. No more than six (6) credit hours may be awarded and used to fulfill degree completion requirements.

Admission Requirements

The Office of Graduate Studies sets minimum standards for admission requirements to all graduate programs. Please consult this section of the catalog to review requirements for admission, including the official transcripts you must submit.

Each applicant’s prior academic work and experience will be evaluated prior to admission. Applicants are expected to have college-level writing, oral communication and computer skills. Students who show exceptional promise but lack the minimal prerequisites may be admitted provisionally.

In addition to the minimum requirements, this program also requires the following:

A writing sample/letter of application describing principal areas of academic interest, capabilities, experience, and reasons for pursuing the M.S. degree.
International students should consult the Office of Graduate Studies requirements for all international applicants in the front of the catalog.

Undergraduate-Graduate Accelerated Program

Undergraduate students who have enrolled and completed graduate credits through the Professional Program in Education, may apply up to 9 credits to the master’s program upon acceptance to the graduate program.

Currently enrolled undergraduate students may refer to the undergraduate catalog for more information. Track requirements include being fully admitted to the Education program with Junior status, holding a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a faculty recommendation. An admission committee consisting of graduate faculty will review student applications for acceptance before enrollment may occur.

Applications must be submitted by October 1 or March 1 for participation in the following semester. Upon completion of an undergraduate degree, students should request admission to the graduate program, at which point up to 9 graduate credits will be applied to the degree requirements of the program. Graduate students will then adhere to all graduate student expectations and pay full graduate tuition fees. See the undergraduate catalog for a list of courses.

General Degree Requirements

The requirements for the Master of Science in Applied Leadership for Teaching and Learning consist of successfully completing a 21-credit core requirement and a nine-credit area of emphasis.

Students must maintain at least a B average to remain in the program and to graduate. A grade of C or better is required for course work to be counted toward graduation.

Core Requirement

A 15-credit set of core courses form the foundation for the degree. All students must complete the following:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses		15
Required:
EDUC 701	Reflective Inquiry
EDUC 702	Approaches to Educational Inquiry
EDUC 703	Contemporary Issues and Historical Contexts
EDUC 704	Applied Educational Leadership
Impact Coursework		6
Required:
EDUC 644	Strategic Leadership in Practice
EDUC 766	Transformative Leadership Seminar: Innovation and Impact
Area of Emphasis		9
Select at least nine credits of coursework at the 500-700 level. See advisor for guidance as needed.
Total Credits		30

Area of Emphasis (9 credits)

Students work with an advisor to select 9 credits of graduate coursework aligned with their professional goals. Courses may be taken at UW–Green Bay or another accredited institution with approval.

Pathways to certification

Pathway to teacher certification in Gr. K-9 Degree Requirements

Students may complete the K–9 Teaching License Pathway as part of or in addition to the MSAL degree.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Required courses:
EDUC 704	Applied Educational Leadership	3
EDUC 705	Pathway to Understanding Literacy	2
EDUC 710	Practicum in Effective Instructional Skills	3
EDUC 772	Contemporary Educational Thought	4
EDUC 786	Current Issues and Trends in Curriculum and Assessment	2
EDUC 795	Special Topics (Equity, Pedagogy and ACT 31)	4
EDUC 795	Special Topics (Foundations of Reading Instruction)	3
EDUC 795	Special Topics (Numbers, Operations and Relations)	3
EDUC 799	Thesis or Project (6 credits)	6
Total Credits		30

Pathway to Administrative/Principal certification

Students may pursue Wisconsin Principal licensure in conjunction with or following completion of the MSAL degree.

Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• Valid Wisconsin teaching or pupil services license

• At least three years of successful full-time experience in schools

• State-required coursework, practicum (300 hours), and performance assessments

Outcome: Eligibility for the Wisconsin Principal (PK–12) license.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses		15
Required:
EDUC 701	Reflective Inquiry
EDUC 702	Approaches to Educational Inquiry
EDUC 703	Contemporary Issues and Historical Contexts
EDUC 711	The Instructional Leader
Area of Emphasis		18
Required:
EDUC 666	Leading through Curriculum and Community
EDUC 712	Building Capacity: Budgets and Funding
EDUC 713	Leadership Field-Based Application
EDUC 717	Organizational Theory and Behavior
EDUC 719	Leadership for Equity and Social Justice
EDUC 788	School Law, Policies and Procedures
Total Credits		33

Pathway to Coaching Certificate

Students may pursue a Coaching Certificate while completing the MSAL degree.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses		15
Required:
EDUC 701	Reflective Inquiry
EDUC 702	Approaches to Educational Inquiry
EDUC 703	Contemporary Issues and Historical Contexts
EDUC 704	Applied Educational Leadership
Area of Emphasis		12
Required:
EDUC 616	Principles of Coaching
EDUC 617	Philosophy of Athletics and Coaching
EDUC 618	Organization and Administration of Athletics
EDUC 619	Field Experience in Coaching
Impact Coursework		6
Required:
EDUC 644	Strategic Leadership in Practice
EDUC 766	Transformative Leadership Seminar: Innovation and Impact
Total Credits		33