The program is oriented to K-12 education but is open to those who teach in other settings. The program is Wisconsin's first competency-based graduate degree conferred upon those candidates who demonstrate specific competencies as exhibited by classroom performance. Courses are offered in the evenings and on weekends during the spring and fall semesters, and on weekdays during the summer. This program is packaged in competencies, not by courses. Evaluation is by demonstration, not by thesis.
Instruction is by a core faculty with additional access to a nationwide faculty via the Internet.
The agenda and competencies are cooperatively developed. The program is fully approved by the Wisconsin DPI and by the North Central Association Accredited Silver Lake College.