This is a named option in the Educational Psychology M.S. The Master of Science in Educational Psychology named option Professional Educator (MSPE) is a convenient, uniquely blended distance education program offered through the Department of Educational Psychology in the School of Education.
All courses are fully online, including an eight-week summer session.
MSPE integrates courses from three School of Education departments—Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis—leading to a Master of Science in Educational Psychology degree. In just two years, teaching professionals can complete this degree in one of the leading educational psychology departments (as listed in the rankings of the U.S. News & World Report’s edition of best graduate schools).
Graduate School Admissions
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic degree programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet requirements of both the program(s) and the Graduate School. Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | This program does not admit in the fall. |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | May 1 |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 2 |
GENERAL INFORMATION
- The admissions deadline is April 1; however, the application period is closed when enrollment capacity is reached. Applying early is important.
- We use a “rolling admissions” process in which applications are reviewed as they are received.
- Applicants are informed of their enrollment status within a few weeks of their applications.
- Please note that GRE scores are not required.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher based on the last 60 credits earned from the degree granting institution.
- Two years or more of PK–12 teaching experience.
- Basic computer skills and equipment.
- Teaching PK–12 during the two years enrolled in the program is required. This can be part-time or full-time in a public or private school.
There are circumstances in which exceptions can be made regarding admissions requirements. Please contact us with questions.
All applicants are advised to determine whether this program meets requirements for licensure in the state where they live. See the U.S. Department of Education website for contact information for state licensing boards.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and processes related to funding.
Program Resources
TUITION
Tuition for MSPE classes is $800 per credit.
FEES
Currently, no additional fees are charged to students.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
Students are responsible for purchasing required materials, such as textbooks, for their courses. Instructors will provide information regarding required materials to students upon enrollment.
Students are also responsible for travel and housing costs associated with the two-week Summer Residency.
FINANCIAL AID
Information on financial aid is available through the UW–Madison Office of Student Financial Aid.
Students enrolled in the MSPE program are not permitted to accept teaching assistantships, project assistantships, research assistantships, or other appointments that would result in a tuition waiver.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
MODE OF INSTRUCTION
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | Yes | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Evening/Weekend: These programs are offered in an evening and/or weekend format to accommodate working schedules. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses and personal connections, while keeping your day job. For more information about the meeting schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Online: These programs are offered primarily online. Many available online programs can be completed almost entirely online with all online programs offering at least 50 percent or more of the program work online. Some online programs have an on-campus component that is often designed to accommodate working schedules. Take advantage of the convenience of online learning while participating in a rich, interactive learning environment. For more information about the online nature of a specific program, contact the program. Hybrid: These programs have innovative curricula that combine on-campus and online formats. Most hybrid programs are completed on-campus with a partial or completely online semester. For more information about the hybrid schedule of a specific program, contact the program. Accelerated: These on-campus programs are offered in an accelerated format that allows you to complete your program in a condensed time-frame. Enjoy the advantages of on-campus courses with minimal disruption to your career. For more information about the accelerated nature of a specific program, contact the program. |
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | Half of degree coursework (15 credits out of 30 total credits) must be completed graduate-level coursework; courses with the Graduate Level Coursework attribute are identified and searchable in the university's Course Guide (https://registrar.wisc.edu/course-guide/). |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | The Graduate School requires an average grade of B or better in all coursework (300 or above, not including research credits) taken as a graduate student unless conditions for probationary status require higher grades. Grades of Incomplete are considered to be unsatisfactory if they are not removed during the next enrolled semester. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Contact the program for information on required assessments and examinations. |
| Language Requirements | Contact the program for information on any language requirements. |
Required COURSES
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Summer Term | ||
| CURRIC 731 | Collaborative Teamwork for Inclusive School Reform | 3 |
| CURRIC 713 | Technology Integration for Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 752 | Engaging with Education Research | 1 |
| Year 1, Fall Term | ||
| ELPA/ED PSYCH 780 | Teacher Leadership and Learning Communities | 4 |
| Year 1, Spring Term | ||
| ELPA 640 | Legal Rights and Responsibilities for Teachers | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology | 1 |
| Year 2, Summer Term | ||
| CURRIC 537 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 745 | Designing and Managing the Learning Environment | 3 |
| ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology | 1 |
| Year 2, Fall Term | ||
| ED PSYCH 791 | Master of Science for Professional Educators Capstone | 1 |
| ED PSYCH 570 | Foundations of Educational Measurement | 3 |
| Year 2, Spring Term | ||
| ED PSYCH 711 | Current Topics in Educational Psychology | 4 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Graduate Program Handbook
A Graduate Program Handbook containing all of the program's policies and requirements is forthcoming from the program.
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
No credits from other institutions are allowed to count toward the degree.
UW–Madison Undergraduate
No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.
UW–Madison University Special
No credits taken as a UW–Madison University Special student are allowed to count toward the degree.
Probation
The Graduate School regularly reviews the record of any student who earned grades of BC, C, D, F, or Incomplete in a graduate course (300 or above), or grade of U in research credits. This review could result in academic probation with a hold on future enrollment or in being suspended from the Graduate School.
ADVISOR / COMMITTEE
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED
15 credits
Time Constraints
Master’s degree students who have been absent for five or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.
Other
Students in the MSPE program are not permitted to hold assistantships with tuition remission.
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
Many MSPE students have crafted Professional Development Plans with their schools and/or districts. MSPE students are encouraged to share these goals with MSPE faculty so instructors can work with students to facilitate progress toward specific professional goals.