MSE in School Business Management
Graduate Overview
Become a Leader in Education
The Master of Science in Education degree in School Business Management (MSE SBM) provides students an opportunity to pursue a course of study that will qualify them for licensure as a School Business Manager in Wisconsin.
A master’s degree is required for licensure under Wisconsin DPI code 5008; however, applicants who already possess a master’s degree can complete the specific credits required for licensure by customizing the Certificate in School Business Management.
All courses are offered 100 percent online. Coursework is aligned with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International School Business Management Professional Standards, covering areas of school finance and budgeting, auxiliary services, negotiations and conflict resolution, staffing, and community relations.
Instructors include alumni who are currently working as school business managers and superintendents in Wisconsin public schools, and are available on weekends online for student assistance. Nine credits are considered full-time for graduate students. While some students take nine credits, they typically take anywhere between three and six credits per semester. The rotation and availability of courses each semester allows students to complete the master’s degree in two years. However, all coursework applied to this degree must be completed within seven years.
To be admitted to the School Business Management program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, a candidate must be accepted by the Graduate School and meet program entrance requirements. NO GMAT or GRE test scores are required. The status of each student is determined by his/her undergraduate grade point average and undergraduate or graduate work. Contact the Program Coordinator for details.
A foundational course in financial accounting is required before enrolling in school finance courses. Students with no prior academic accounting background or experience will be required to take this pre-requisite or CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) accounting course either at the graduate or undergraduate level. However, an accounting course taken for graduate credit does not count towards the 36-credit degree requirement.
To ensure the program is compliant with Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34 for Teacher Education Program Approval and Licensing as updated August 2018, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check (PI 34.018).
For questions about admission requirements or to see if you could be admitted on a conditional basis, email or call us at (262) 472-1945.
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Apply online today. Review the application process and deadlines.
Overview
The degree requires a minimum of 36 units of coursework and includes an unpaid internship. The internship which involves the completion of a portfolio of experiences under the guidance of a practicing School Business Manager and the Program Coordinator. At least half of the graduate level courses in the degree program must be at the 700 level. Course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Catalog.
To earn the Master of Science in Education degree in School Business Management, you must complete:
- Breadth (27 credits)
- Internship (3 credits)
- Elective (6 credits)
For 2018 - 2019, the average salary for a school business manager in the State of Wisconsin was $107,661.1 Other common position titles include assistant superintendent of operations, comptroller and financial specialist. Archived salary information, position and demographic reports can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).2
School business managers oversee the administration and allocation of budgets and resources in a variety of learning institutions. Career paths and project work include all area roles and responsibilities found in the school district business office including accounting and reporting, auditing, budget and financial planning, cash management, debt management, facility construction and management, food and transportation systems, general management, human resource management, information technology and data management, payroll management, purchasing and accounts payable management, and risk management.
1Public Administrative Salary Report, 2018 - 2019, (filter for 08 - Business Manager and hit "search")
2Archived School Staff: Salary, Position and Demographic Reports