The University of Iowa College of Education offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including licensure, endorsements, certificates, and online programs, many of which are regularly ranked among the best in the nation. The college's vision is to be a world-class college of education: leading research, engaging communities, and preparing education and mental health professionals for innovation and impact.

In 1847, Iowa legislators created the State University of Iowa, the state’s first public institution of higher education to provide teacher training. More than 175 years later, students from across the state, nation, and globe are drawn to the College of Education, where they can experience the rigor of an R1 research university with a personal touch, a strong sense of community, and Hawkeye pride.

The college also is home to a number of research centers, including the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, highlighting the college's expertise in school and community mental health counseling. Other areas of expertise include gifted education and talent development, thanks to the Belin-Blank Center, and educational testing and measurement due to the legacy of alumnus E.F. Lindquist. Lindquist created the Iowa Academic Meet, the impetus for the development of the world-renowned Iowa Testing Programs (ITP). Soon after in 1935, ITP experts authored the first Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (renamed Iowa Assessments), which revolutionized test scoring by inventing the first optical scanner, allowing tests to be accurately scored by high-speed equipment rather than by hand. Then in 1959, ITP spun off the most widely accepted college entrance exam to American College Testing Program, Inc., now known as ACT.

The University of Iowa Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development (UI WILD) joined the College of Education in 2021, bringing a variety of experiential learning opportunities to our students. Students have the unique opportunity to take their learning outside of the classroom. There are opportunities to teach middle school students across Iowa with School of the Wild, take science education to the next level with the Iowa Raptor Project, and work hands-on with youth at Iowa Wildlife camps.

The college has four departments—the departments of Counselor Education, Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, and Teaching and Learning.

Extramural Education

Through Distance and Online Education, selected College of Education courses are offered at off-campus sites and hours outside the traditional schedule. If taken after formal admission to a specific program, some of these courses may be applied to meet requirements for degrees. Students who plan to complete a degree program should apply for admission to the Graduate College and satisfy all application requirements for the degree program they wish to enter.

Special regulations govern such coursework. Students should obtain prior approval from their program advisor before registering in extramural courses. Students not regularly admitted to the University of Iowa also may register in extramural courses, but credit earned before admission does not count toward residency requirements.

Honors in Education

The College of Education Honors Opportunity Program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have maintained a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.50. Students with lower GPAs who have demonstrated research potential also may be accepted, based on the recommendations of faculty and/or staff members and the education honors advisor. Honors Opportunity Program students must take EHOP:4100 Honors Seminar in Education, EHOP:4101 Senior Honors Project, and complete five additional honors experiences. Successful completion of the program results in recognition of the student as a College of Education honors graduate.

Faculty

All tenure-track faculty members hold earned doctorates in their teaching fields, and many have had teaching or administrative experience in public schools. Several hold joint appointments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Undergraduate Programs of Study

Majors

The College of Education offers the following undergraduate degree and programs.

Degree Program Offered

Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies and Human Relations

Within the BA in Education Studies and Human Relations, the following subprograms are available.

• Education studies and human relations.
• Education studies and human relations (education studies).
• Education studies and human relations (human relations).

Department of Teaching and Learning

The College of Education also offers eight undergraduate majors in teacher education licensure areas. Students pursuing any of the undergraduate majors complete a Teacher Education Program (TEP) approved by the State of Iowa through the College of Education. See TEP Licensure in this section of the catalog. See the Department of Teaching and Learning in the catalog for details about the majors.

The following programs are available for the BA.

• Art education.
• Elementary education.
• English education.
• Mathematics education.
• Music education.
• Science education.
• Social studies education.
• World language education.

Combined BA (Special Education Subprogram)/MA in Teaching and Learning (Special Education Subprogram)

Bachelor of Arts students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in special education may apply to the combined Bachelor of Arts with a special education subprogram/Master of Arts with a special education subprogram (K–8 instructional strategist I: mild/moderate; nonthesis) offered by the College of Education. Designed for undergraduate students majoring in elementary education who are currently enrolled in the TEP program, the combined program enables students to earn a BA and MA in five years by beginning to earn graduate credit during their last year of undergraduate study and counting up to 12 s.h. of qualifying credit toward both degrees. For more information, see Combined Programs under the BA in elementary education section of the catalog. Interested students should consult an advisor.

Minors

The College of Education offers two undergraduate minors for students who wish to be better informed about education and related fields: one in educational psychology and one in human relations, offering students an overview of various educational areas beyond, but supportive of, traditional education programs. The minors may help support students' future career objectives and benefit students in their roles as parents, taxpayers, or future members of local boards of education. View the minor in educational psychology (Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations) and the minor in human relations (Department of Counselor Education) in the catalog to learn more.

Graduate Programs of Study

Graduate study in the College of Education is guided by the policies of the Graduate College, with additional requirements set by the College of Education's faculty. Graduate students in education enroll in the Graduate College and receive their degrees from that college. See the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Majors

The College of Education offers the following graduate degrees and programs.

Degree Programs Offered

Department of Counselor Education

MA and PhD in counselor education; the following programs are available.

• Clinical mental health counseling (offered in the MA).
• Counselor education and supervision (offered in the PhD).
• Rehabilitation counseling program (offered in the MA).
• School counseling (offered in the MA).

Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies

MA, EdD, EdS, and PhD in educational policy and leadership studies; the following programs are available.

• Educational leadership (offered in the MA, EdS, and PhD).
• Higher education (offered in the EdD).
• Higher education and student affairs (offered in the MA, EdS, and PhD).
• PK–12 administration (offered in the EdD).

Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations

MA, EdS, and PhD in psychological and quantitative foundations; the following programs are available.

• Counseling psychology (offered in the PhD).
• Couple and family therapy (offered in the PhD).
• Educational measurement and statistics (offered in the MA and PhD).
• Learning sciences and educational psychology (offered in the MA and PhD).
• School psychology (offered in the EdS and PhD).

Department of Teaching and Learning

MA, MAT, MS, and PhD in teaching and learning; the following programs are available.

• Art education (offered in the MA and MAT).
• English education (offered in the MA and MAT).
• Literacy, culture, and language education (offered in the PhD).
• Mathematics education (offered in the MA, MAT, and PhD).
• Multilingual education (offered in the MA).
• Science education (offered in the MS, MAT, and PhD).
• Social studies education (offered in the MA and MAT).
• Special education (offered in the MA and PhD).
• STEM education (offered in the MS).
• Teaching, leadership and cultural competency (offered in the MA).
• World language education (offered in the MAT).

Master of Arts

The College of Education offers a Master of Arts. Some of the college's MA programs are offered with thesis as well as without thesis. Nonthesis programs usually provide more specialized coursework than do thesis programs. Although a nonthesis program is not necessarily terminal, students who expect to continue their studies in a doctoral program are urged to select a thesis program in order to gain more experience in research procedures. Students who complete a nonthesis MA and are admitted to a PhD program may be asked to submit evidence of writing and research skills to their advisor or department during the early part of their doctoral program. For information about programs that offer a thesis option, see the program descriptions under "Graduate Programs of Study" in College of Education department sections of the catalog.

Coursework completed more than 10 years before the session in which the degree is to be conferred must be evaluated to determine how much credit may be accepted toward the degree requirements. Students must earn at least 24 s.h. in University of Iowa courses after formal admission to a master's degree.

Master of Arts in Teaching

The MAT program is designed for academically superior liberal arts and sciences graduates who completed few or no professional education courses in their undergraduate programs. It is a nonthesis program with requirements that range from 45 s.h. to 67 s.h. of credit. See the MAT in teaching and learning in the catalog.

The program leads to a master's degree and licensure as a secondary teacher in the fields of art, English, foreign languages, mathematics, science education, and social studies education. Admission to the program requires a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 in undergraduate coursework. The program includes 18 s.h. of graduate coursework in the student's teaching field. Students must complete a minimum of 20 s.h. of graduate work in education to satisfy licensure requirements.

Combined BA/MAT (Science Education Subprogram)

Bachelor of Arts students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in teaching may apply to the combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching with a science education subprogram offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Education. The MAT with a science education subprogram is open to any undergraduate student majoring in the sciences, but draws most typically from students in the following majors: biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, geoscience, mathematics, or physics. The combined program enables students to earn a BA and MAT in five years by beginning to earn graduate credit during their fourth year of undergraduate study and by counting up to 19 s.h. of qualifying credit toward both degrees. For more information, see "Combined BA/MAT" under Science Education in the Master of Arts in Teaching, MAT section of the catalog. Interested students should consult an advisor.

Master of Science

The College of Education offers a Master of Science in teaching and learning with a science education subprogram. The degree requirements are similar to those for a Master of Arts. It also offers the Master of Science in teaching and learning with a STEM education subprogram.

Specialist in Education

The EdS is granted upon completion of a prescribed two-year postbaccalaureate program designed for students preparing for professional work in fields such as administration and supervision, and special services. Of the minimum 60 s.h. required for the degree, 28 s.h. must be in the specialization area; the rest may be earned in cognate fields, supervised experience, research, and elective courses. The research must culminate in a written report.

Other requirements for the EdS are the same as for the master's degree, except that an EdS requires students to complete 30 s.h. of resident work on campus after admission to the program. Coursework completed 10 years before the final examination must be evaluated to determine the amount of credit that may be accepted toward program requirements.

Not all programs offer an EdS degree. For a list of programs and degrees offered, see "Graduate Programs of Study" above.

Doctor of Education

The EdD is designed for educators seeking a terminal doctoral degree to practice upper-level leadership in PK–20 educational settings. Based on the scholar-practitioner model, the EdD differs from the PhD in that it allows for a more practical-based approach, grounded in problem-based learning pedagogy, to use and perform applied research in educational settings. EdD students must complete 75 s.h. post-baccalaureate, with at least 27 s.h. completed at the University of Iowa after formal program admission. Students are expected to already have a related master's degree when admitted to the program and to have been practicing in education for a minimum of three years. Up to 36 s.h. may be transferred from the previous graduate degree for elective credit toward the 75 s.h. to earn the EdD degree.

Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD is the most advanced academic degree. It is conferred upon students who have demonstrated superior scholarship and mastery of research skills in coursework as well as in the preparation and defense of a dissertation. PhD students must complete at least 39 s.h. while registered in the University of Iowa Graduate College and after formal program admission.

Certificates

The Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis requires 21 s.h. of graduate credit. The certificate program is open to students enrolled in University of Iowa graduate degree programs and to individuals who are enrolled in the Graduate College as nondegree students. The purpose of the certificate is to provide professionals who have a background in education, psychology, and related services with expertise in behavior intervention and intensive educational interventions. Students who complete the program are eligible for national certification as board-certified behavior analysts. To learn more or apply, see the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in the catalog.

The Certificate in College Teaching requires 12 s.h. of graduate credit. The certificate program is open to all University of Iowa students working toward a PhD or other terminal graduate degree. The certificate program complements discipline-oriented graduate programs and prepares students for careers in postsecondary education. It requires coursework, supervised teaching experience, and preparation of a teaching portfolio. To learn more or to apply, see the Certificate in College Teaching (Graduate College) in the catalog.

The Certificate in Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) requires 15 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered with hybrid and conventional courses. The certificate program prepares professionals to use data for institutional decision-making, reporting, and accountability in higher education and K–12 contexts. This certificate amends and complements students’ competence in other areas (business affairs, information technology, student affairs, and development, among other areas) to prepare them with the skills and capabilities to use data for educational improvement, accountability, quality, and equity. To learn more or apply, see the Certificate in Institutional Research and Effectiveness in the catalog.

The Certificate in K–12 Equity and Inclusion requires 12 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered with hybrid and conventional courses. The certificate program offers educational professionals or nondegree-seeking students currently working in K–12 schools, districts, and area education agencies expertise in equity and inclusion to better support the needs and interests of a diversifying K–12 student population. To learn more or apply, see the Certificate in K–12 Equity and Inclusion in the catalog.

The Certificate in Online Teaching requires 12 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered completely online. The certificate program is open to students enrolled in University of Iowa graduate degree programs and to individuals who are enrolled in the Graduate College as nondegree students. The certificate program develops students' skills in using technology to solve instructional problems associated with distance and time. The certificate's online format uses the techniques and approaches that the program teaches. To learn more or apply, see the Certificate in Online Teaching in the catalog.

The Certificate in Talent Development requires 14 s.h. of graduate credit. The certificate is open to students enrolled in University of Iowa graduate degree programs and to individuals who are enrolled in the Graduate College as nondegree students. The purpose of the certificate is to increase the understanding of talented individuals, the process of talent development and the creative process, and prepare advocates for talented individuals. In addition to coursework, students design a culminating original project aligned with a career objective or personal interest. Students may use the coursework embedded in the certificate to apply to the State of Iowa Gifted and Talented teaching endorsement. To learn more or apply, see the Certificate in Talent Development in the catalog.

Professional Improvement

Students who are interested in taking courses as nondegree students should apply for nondegree status to the Graduate College. They can then be admitted by a department on a nondegree basis by contacting the department. Students must be admitted to a department in order to complete a program objective such as teacher licensure.

Teacher Education Programs (TEP) and Student Teaching

The College of Education offers a Teacher Education Program (TEP) that includes preparation for teaching in elementary education (teaching kindergarten through grade 6 or grade 8); and secondary education (teaching one or more subjects in grades 5 through 12). Secondary teacher education is offered in art education, English education, mathematics education, music education, science education, social studies education, and world language education. Two secondary education programs, art education and music education, are preparation for teaching kindergarten through grade 12. Preparation for special education teaching is offered primarily as a master's degree program, but undergraduate students in the elementary education major may complete a special education endorsement for teaching elementary school students with mild or moderate disabilities. In cooperation with the School of Library and Information Science, the college offers graduate-level preparation for school teacher librarians.

Preparation is available for teaching additional subjects; see "Added Endorsements" below.

The College of Education awards Bachelor of Arts undergraduate majors in elementary education and seven other majors. Majors in art education, English education, mathematics education, music education, science education, social studies education, and world language education require a corequisite content major from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. See the Department of Teaching and Learning section of the catalog for details about these majors. The majors require admission to the TEP.

Individuals with a previous bachelor's degree or a more advanced degree also may complete a TEP. See "Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission to TEP" below and the Department of Teaching and Learning section of the catalog.

The Office of Student Services provides information on TEP; offers assistance with admission, student field experiences, and teacher licensure/certification; and serves as a liaison with other university units and external agencies. For more information, visit the Office of Student Services website.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Admission to a TEP is required in order to register for most TEP courses, to participate in field experiences/practicums, and to student teach.

Elementary Education

First-year undergraduate applicants to the bachelor of arts major in elementary education are admitted to the major and the College of Education upon acceptance to the University of Iowa. These students complete TEP application requirements as a part of their first two semesters of coursework. Transfer students from outside the University of Iowa who wish to pursue the elementary education major or current University of Iowa students who wish to change their major to elementary education should contact the Office of Student Services for TEP application requirements and procedures.

Secondary and K–12 Teacher Education Programs

Undergraduate applicants to the University of Iowa who wish to become teachers in secondary education apply for a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences major in the subject they would like to teach. They also may indicate secondary education interest on their application.

Requirements for admission to the TEP include admission to the University of Iowa, a minimum of 30 s.h. of college credit, and a preadmission school field experience. Some programs have additional requirements. Complete application requirements and procedures can be found on the Office of Student Services website. TEP applications are submitted through a web application, Tk20 (Watermark).

For secondary and K–12 programs, admission to the TEP is selective and is based on a faculty review of academic achievement as reflected in grade-point average (GPA), aptitude as reflected by recommendations and personal statements, and the ability of the given program area to provide quality instruction and clinical and field experiences. Meeting the minimum criteria does not ensure program admission.

Students are encouraged to submit complete applications for timely advising and registration by the priority application deadlines of March 1 for the fall semester or Oct. 1 for the spring semester. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Dec. 1 for the spring semester or May 1 for the fall semester. Some program areas may reach capacity for acceptance before the final deadlines. Applicants are notified of admission decisions by email following faculty review.

Direct Admission to Music Education

The College of Education offers early admission into the K–12 music education TEP. First-year students who, upon graduation from high school, have a high school GPA of 3.00 or higher and have been accepted into a music studio are directly admitted into the K–12 music education TEP. This admission is conditional until the minimum admission requirements are complete. The requirements include admission to the School of Music, completion of an essay of 500 words or less on why the applicant wishes to be a music teacher, and completion of a 10-hour preadmission school field experience.

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission to the TEP

Students with a previous bachelor's degree or more advanced degree may be admitted to a TEP as graduate or undergraduate students, and may have the option to pursue an additional undergraduate or graduate degree or to pursue the TEP as a nondegree student. See the Department of Teaching and Learning for degree program options. Students must apply to the TEP through the web application, Tk20 (Watermark), and to the University of Iowa through the Office of Admissions. Application information is available from the Office of Student Services. Graduate applicants must be eligible for admission to the Graduate College, which requires a GPA of at least 3.00 in all previous college coursework. See the Graduate Admissions website. Undergraduate applicants must meet the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University of Iowa; see the Undergraduate Admissions website.

TEP Academic and Professional Standards

Students in the TEP must meet GPA requirements and maintain appropriate professional dispositions each semester. Students who do not meet the requirements are placed on probation; those who fail to meet the requirements in a successive semester may be removed from the TEP or denied admission to student teaching. For more information on standards and policies, consult the Office of Student Services.

InTASC Standards-Based Assessments

Once admitted to the TEP, progress toward meeting professional standards is documented on Tk20 (Watermark), a web-based assessment system. Throughout the program, students submit assignments designated by their respective program area for standards-based scoring on rubrics in common across all program areas.

Teacher Leader Certificate Professional Development Program

Teachers from the University of Iowa are distinguished by their preparation with world-class faculty researchers and clinical practitioners and a one-of-a-kind professional development program that highlights contemporary issues in 21st-century education, the Teacher Leader Certificate. The Teacher Leader Certificate is not a teaching license or a university recognition but it supplements the TEP courses, practicums, and student teaching requirements with a series of competencies and experiences offered through intensive and innovative workshops and 10 hours of volunteer work in an education setting. All TEP students are required to complete the requirements of the certificate prior to their student teaching semester.

The Teacher Leader Certificate is supported by the Baker Teacher Leader Center (Baker TLC). The Baker TLC also supports the College of Education's Global Education Initiatives, Student to Teacher Pathway Programs, and provides professional development programs for in-service teachers and other school professionals.

Student Teaching

The final phase of the TEP is the professional semester, devoted to supervised student teaching and directed observation in a variety of situations. All coursework in education, for the major, and for the degree must be completed before the student teaching semester. The student teaching semester is a full-time, all-day experience with a full registration, typically a 15 s.h. enrollment. Student teachers are expected to follow the calendar of the district in which they are placed; breaks may not align with the University of Iowa semester calendar. Transfer credit may not be used to satisfy the student teaching requirement.

Faculty members, professional staff, and advanced graduate students who are experienced teachers serve as supervisors. Periodic seminars provide for discussion and evaluation of student teacher experiences.

To be admitted to the student teaching semester, students submit their application to the Office of Student Services. Student teaching applications are due the calendar year before the student teaching semester: by Nov. 15 for student teaching the following fall semester and by April 15 for student teaching the following spring semester.

Admission to student teaching requires faculty approval based on grade-point average requirements and appropriate professional dispositions. For more information, contact the Office of Student Services.

Placement Options

Student teaching placements typically are in schools within a 60–70 mile radius of Iowa City, referred to as local placements. Placements also may be available in some school districts in other parts of Iowa, the Midwest region, urban districts in other parts of the United States, and international settings. These placements are referred to as special sites. Special site placements have higher grade-point average requirements and expectations for appropriate professional dispositions.

International student teaching experiences are available primarily through Global Gateway for Teachers, an Indiana University Program working in collaboration with the University of Iowa. International sites vary, depending on available placements and international conditions, but have included Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England and Wales, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, Scotland, Spain, and Tanzania. In most locations, students are assisted with housing by an on-site coordinator.

International assignments are for eight weeks. Students complete an eight-week assignment in a local placement or another special site placement followed by an eight-week assignment in an international placement. Secondary education students in some program areas (for instance, English education) are required to complete a full semester of student teaching in the United States before student teaching at an international site.

For more information about international student teaching options, see Student Teaching and Classroom Experience on the College of Education website.

Course Substitutions

Students who have completed courses that they wish to substitute for program requirements should consult with their advisors.

Community college human relations courses are not accepted as substitutes for EPLS:4180 Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher.

Teacher Licensure/Certification

The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners issues teacher, support service, and administrator licenses on the recommendation of Iowa colleges and universities whose programs have been approved by the Iowa Department of Education. All University of Iowa preparation programs have Iowa Department of Education approval.

Licensure/certification requirements across the nation are subject to change. Students who plan to seek employment in a state other than Iowa should make every effort to be informed about current requirements in that state. Generally, students who apply out-of-state should first secure Iowa licensure.

To be recommended by the University of Iowa, applicants must complete all requirements of the appropriate approved program. A minimum of 20 s.h. of coursework applied to meet program requirements must be earned at the University of Iowa.

In the State of Iowa, applicants must be at least 21 years old to be granted a teaching license. The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners requires a national criminal history background check, an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check, and registries and records check for all new applicants for Iowa licensure. Disqualifying criminal convictions and founded child abuse are set out in Iowa Code 272.2 and Iowa Administrative Code 282-25.

The College of Education Office of Student Services provides instructions on application for licenses, fingerprinting procedures, and licensure/certification assistance to all students completing approved programs offered by the college. It also provides assistance to in-service teachers and other school professionals who are interested in adding endorsements to their Iowa license based on completion of State of Iowa minimum licensure requirements.

Added Endorsements

Current TEP students and in-service teachers may prepare for teaching additional subjects through added endorsement programs and courses.

Most added endorsements for kindergarten through 8th grade (K–8) are intended for TEP students and in-service teachers in elementary education. See the BA in elementary education for these added endorsements. Other endorsements, including most secondary (grades 5–12) endorsements for which the University of Iowa offers a TEP, also can be available to elementary, secondary, or K–12 TEP students and teachers as added endorsements.

Preparation is offered for these added endorsements:

• Grades 5–8 middle school (language arts, mathematics, science, and/or social studies)
• Grades 5–12 reading
• K–12 athletic coach
• K–12 dyslexia specialist
• K–12 English as a second language (ESL)
• PK–12 talented and gifted

For additional information contact an academic advisor or licensure staff in the Office of Student Services.

Baker Teacher Leader Center

The Baker Teacher Leader Center (Baker TLC) develops, supports, and facilitates a variety of professional development opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members affiliated with the College of Education.

The Baker TLC manages the Teacher Leader Certificate, a value-added professional development certificate that provides students in the Teacher Education Program (TEP) opportunities to engage with innovative educational topics aimed toward developing their identities as emerging teacher leaders.

The Baker TLC operates a teacher licensure renewal credit program, offering relevant research and evidence-based professional development to practicing Iowa teachers. Professional development offered through the Baker TLC is aligned with needs identified by the Teacher Education Advisory Committee, through survey responses received from school administrators, policy leaders, faculty, and from information and data received from the Iowa Department of Education and professional education organizations such as the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE), the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), the National Education Association (NEA), and community partners.

The Global Education Initiatives program through the Baker TLC offers experiential learning courses and experiences around the globe to support ongoing global engagement of the College of Education community. There are a variety of programs, including those involving student mobility for travel and study abroad and at a distance domestically. Through these experiences, students better understand who they are in the world, can forge new relationships built on mutual goals of peace and equity, and can bring their experiences in the world to their classrooms and future work as educators, helping professionals, counselors, and clinical practitioners. 

The Student to Teacher Pathway Programs through Baker TLC demonstrate the College of Education's commitment to supporting the recruitment and retention of underrepresented populations in the educator and professional workforce. Programming is made possible through wide-ranging partnerships with schools, agencies, and professional associations, and with campus partners such as the UI Department of Athletics. Students at a variety of educational levels can engage with programming opportunities to excel, find community, and engage their career and professional interests. 

Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development

Located in the Blank Honors Center, the Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development conducts research, training, and service in gifted education and disseminates information on the education of gifted students. Professional development opportunities include the Belin-Blank Fellowship Program in Gifted Education, practicum and internship experiences, and coursework in gifted education (including coursework for the State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement).

Precollege student programs include Invent Iowa, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, above-level testing for students in grades 3–9, precollege summer and academic year programs for high-ability students in grades 2–11, and the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy.

Other services include the Wallace Assessment and Counseling Clinic, which specializes in twice-exceptionality; and the Acceleration Institute, which is dedicated to the study of curricular acceleration for academically talented children. The center also administers the Bucksbaum Early Entrance STEAM Academy, a highly selective early-entrance program for students who have completed their sophomore or junior year in high school and are ready to enroll as full-time University of Iowa Honors students.

For more information, contact the Belin-Blank Center.

Blommers Measurement Resources Library

The Paul Blommers Measurement Resources Library maintains a noncirculating archival collection of books, journals, research reports, and reference materials related to educational and psychological measurement, testing, assessment, and evaluation, as well as an extensive, noncirculating collection of published and unpublished tests. The library supports the teaching and research needs of faculty, staff, and students at the University of Iowa, primarily serving the College of Education through consultation and special access.

Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment

The Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement and Assessment (CASMA) pursues interdisciplinary research-based initiatives that lead to advances in the methods and practice of educational measurement and assessment. CASMA performs, promotes, fosters, and disseminates research in measurement and psychometric methodologies that respond to contemporary needs and initiatives in testing.

The center devotes considerable resources to research on equating/scaling/linking, generalizability theory, diagnostic classification models, Bayesian psychometric techniques, computerized adaptive testing, multilevel modeling, research synthesis, meta-analytic methods, and causal inference. It also offers workshops and training sessions on those topics. Extensive free suites of computer programs are available on the CASMA website. The site also features research reports and technical notes on measurement and statistics topics.

Center for Evaluation and Assessment

The Center for Evaluation and Assessment (CEA) provides third-party program evaluation, assessment, and other research services to a broad range of clients working in multiple programmatic areas. The center's mission is to provide high quality program evaluation and research services to support data-driven decision-making, to train graduate students, and to advance evaluation theory and practice.

Center for Research on Undergraduate Education

The Center for Research on Undergraduate Education (CRUE) is dedicated to the study of undergraduate education in the United States and beyond. This rigorous research explores various topics, with an emphasis on understanding dynamics and improving equity within college experiences, environments, interventions, and outcomes.

College of Education Writing Resource

The College of Education Writing Resource provides academic writing support for graduate students at the College of Education. Students sign up to work collaboratively with a writing tutor throughout the composing process—from conceptualizing ideas to polishing and publishing/finalizing the paper. The mission is to facilitate each student's individual growth as a writer and to foster a collaborative writing community. Services are free to graduate students in the College of Education.

Cooperating Schools Program

The Cooperating Schools Program (CSP) is a university-wide service that facilitates placement of research projects and service-learning projects conducted by faculty, staff, and students in public schools throughout Iowa. The program provides information to help researchers obtain permission to conduct research in Iowa schools. The Cooperating Schools Program was instituted at the request of school administrators charged with the responsibility of approving research projects in their schools.

Education Technology Center

The Education Technology Center (ETC) provides computer services to College of Education faculty, staff, and students. In addition to technical support and internet access, services include collegiate file and application servers; standard office tools; specialized applications such as media production tools and qualitative and quantitative analysis programs; secure folders and directories; electronic mailing lists for faculty, staff, and student groups; and digital signage (kiosks). The Education Technology Center also provides faculty with instructional technology support for courses, including online teaching and media production tools such as ICON and UICapture/Panopto.

SMART Boards and wireless access are available throughout the college. Every classroom and conference room has a digital presentation system and videoconferencing capabilities. Faculty, staff, and students can reserve and check out wireless laptops, web cameras, computer projectors, digital audio recorders, digital video cameras, iPads, robots, a podcasting studio, and other devices from the center. In all, the College of Education supports more than 850 computers, laptops, PDAs, and smartphones as well as 20 digital signs, 20 SMART Boards, and six servers.

Grants and Research Services Center

The Grants and Research Services Center (GRSC) works with faculty, staff, and students to ensure success across the full life cycle of grant development and management. GRSC staff members offer expertise and services in identifying internal and external sources of funding, budget development, pre- and post-award management, and research design and methods. The college also provides limited funds for faculty research, professional development, and travel.

Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Ethics

The Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Ethics (IDARE) is a cross-disciplinary, cross-institutional online community of scholars. Its goal is to use research, education, and consultation to improve the quality of ethical practice experienced by people with disabilities who receive services from rehabilitation, health, mental health, and social service professionals. IDARE works to influence disability policy and practice development nationally and locally and to influence professional organizations' consideration of ethical issues that affect people with disabilities and other marginalized populations.

Iowa Supports Education and Resources for Veterans and Enlisted

Iowa Supports Education and Resources for Veterans and Enlisted (I-SERVE) was created to help facilitate successful transitions for veterans and enlisted service members into higher education at the University of Iowa. I-SERVE is located in the Teacher Leader Center, on the first floor of the north side of Lindquist Center. The center assists veterans with accessing benefits, the application process, completing coursework, preparing for and searching for jobs, and achieving overall career success. I-SERVE also offers educational consultation, workshops, special programs, and presentations that enhance knowledge, skills, and attitudes of teachers and other professionals who work with veterans, military children, and families.

Iowa Testing Programs

Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) provides assessment expertise to schools in the state of Iowa and consultation to the Iowa Department of Education and area education agencies. Its faculty and staff develop standardized educational tests, such as the widely used Iowa Assessments, for use in elementary and secondary schools worldwide, and the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress, for use in the state of Iowa for summative assessment. Iowa Testing Programs also conducts research studies in educational measurement, publishes the results of these studies, sponsors lectures and symposia, provides consulting and in-service training to educators and school systems, and provides training experience and financial support for graduate students in educational measurement, statistics, and evaluation.

Libraries

University of Iowa Libraries provides a wide variety of resources in print and online. Course reserve materials are available at the Main Library. An education librarian is available to help students with their research projects and assist faculty members and teaching assistants with their research and instructional needs.

Office of Graduate Teaching Excellence

The Office of Graduate Teaching Excellence (OGTE) is dedicated to excellence in college teaching and the preparation of future faculty. The office facilitates opportunities for research, teaching, and service. Through the Iowa Education Fellows Program (i-fellows), OGTE develops and conducts workshops and seminars that address the developmental needs of College of Education doctoral students, from their first semester on campus through the completion of their degrees. The office also guides students through the process of earning the graduate Certificate in College Teaching (Graduate College).

Office of Student Services

The Office of Student Services assists students, faculty, staff, and the general public in graduate and undergraduate admission, undergraduate advising, recruitment for the Teacher Education Program (TEP) and undergraduate programs, Graduate College examinations, student field experiences, and teacher licensure/certification. It also serves as a liaison with other university units, including the Graduate College, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Office of Admissions, and the Office of the Registrar, and with external agencies, including the Iowa Department of Education, out-of-state teacher licensure/certification departments, and school district personnel in Iowa and outside of the state. A variety of applications and information materials are available at the office and on its website.

Scanlan Center for School Mental Health

The purpose of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and psychological services to all of Iowa's schools, not only to aid in COVID-19 recovery, but to build state capacity for immediate and future delivery of mental health supports across the state. The center brings together educational partners, policymakers, and mental health professionals to serve as Iowa's hub for research-to-practice related to school mental health. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, the center specializes in professional development, research, training of future professionals, clinical services, and higher education programming.

Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development

Wildlife Instruction and Leadership Development (UI WILD) includes the Iowa Raptor Project, Iowa Wildlife Camps, and School of the Wild programs. Each program has a unique educational focus, but a shared commitment to awaken awareness, nurture appreciation, and inspire action for all things wild in program participants. The Iowa Raptor Project (founded in 1985) is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats through live raptor education programming and research. The Iowa Wildlife Camps (founded in 1991) provide weeklong conservation education programming for campers from preschool through high school during winter, spring, and summer breaks. The accredited and multidisciplinary School of the Wild (founded in 1998) offers weeklong experiences in the wild for participating schools introducing students from all backgrounds to the woodlands, wetlands, and prairies of Iowa. The UI WILD programs are centered at the university’s Macbride Nature Recreation Area, but are growing throughout Iowa, and provide many educational opportunities for College of Education students including volunteer roles, internships, camp instructor positions, practicum experiences, and student teaching opportunities.

College of Education students may be eligible for scholarships, awards, or graduate assistantships. Information about financial support for students is available; visit Scholarships on the college's website. The college posts a list of assistantships on its website; visit Graduate Student Life on the college's website.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test is currently not required for graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, or research assistantships in the College of Education.

Students interested in employment opportunities in the college's support units and special resources should contact the director of each facility and indicate their interests, their academic and experience records, and their career or degree goals at the University of Iowa.

Graduate Assistantships

Individual academic programs provide opportunities for teaching, research, or service assistantships as well as for fellowships and related employment opportunities. Inquiries should be addressed to the chair of the department or the director of the program in which students believe they can provide service or achieve an outstanding academic record. Assistantship appointments are usually, but not always, made by the program area.

Special Graduate Research Assistantships in Education

The Iowa Testing Programs provides funds to support a limited number of special graduate assistantships in education, in which students do research work under the direction of a faculty member of their choice. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 s.h. but not more than 12 s.h. per semester; assistantships are for the academic year and are renewable for a limited number of years. Students admitted to or pursuing any advanced degree program offered by the College of Education are eligible to apply, provided they are committed to a professional career in the United States.

Applicants must submit transcripts of all completed college work (undergraduate and graduate), recommendation forms specific to the assistantship, and scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test. For assistantship application forms, contact the Iowa Testing Programs directors. Application deadline is late February.

Scholarships and Awards

The College of Education presents many scholarships funded by our generous donors. Students apply through the College of Education scholarships website.

Albert and Martha Ruffalo First Generation Education Scholarship: presented to deserving students in the College of Education who are first-generation college students.

Albert Hieronymus and Family Scholarship: presented to a graduate student with experience and an interest in research or innovation to improve the field of education.

Albert Hood Promising Scholar Award: presented to a doctoral student in the Department of Counselor Education and a student in the higher education and student affairs program with an approved prospectus.

Alice and Kendall Atkinson Scholarship: presented to students who are majoring in music education with a passion for community outreach and engagement.

Ann Ramsey and Richard E. Posey Scholarship: presented to a student who is a junior pursuing a career in teaching or education.

Barry Bratton Memorial Award: presented to graduate students who have completed coursework that reflects a commitment to the systematic design and improvement of instructional processes and materials.

Betty Piercy Award: presented to a deserving student in the field of reading.

Beulah A. and Robert L. Darrow Scholarship: presented to deserving students in the College of Education.

Blommers-Hieronymus-Feldt Fellowship: presented to doctoral students in educational measurement and statistics.

C. Esco Obermann Memorial Scholarship: presented to a deserving student pursuing a degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Carol M. and Ed Stenson Scholarship in Education: presented to undergraduate students pursuing a special education certification or degree in general teacher education who exhibit both financial need and academic merit.

Charlotte and Ruby Junge Scholarship: presented to undergraduate or graduate students in elementary or secondary education who will be student teaching for a full semester.

Daniel G. Loetscher Memorial Science Education Scholarship: presented to students pursuing secondary education with an emphasis in the sciences, with preference given to those pursuing an emphasis in chemistry.

David and Connie Belin Honors Award: presented to graduating seniors who have completed all requirements for the Honors Opportunity Program.

David and Sheila Bennett English Education Scholarship: presented to students majoring in English with the intention of pursuing a degree in the English education program within the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Debra Clausen Memorial Scholarship: presented to a graduate student in the College of Education who will work at the Hospital School (now the Center for Disabilities and Development) to evaluate and develop learning programs for students with mental disabilities, including Down Syndrome, or to students pursuing careers in special education.

Dieckmann, Renken, Rockway Scholarship: presented to a student pursuing a PhD in science education with secondary preference to a graduate student in science education.

Dr. Bettye M. Caldwell and Dr. Fred T. Caldwell Scholarship: presented to undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers in early childhood development, including the fields of education, sociology, psychology, and other related academic programs.

Dr. James Blanche Graduate Student Fellowship Fund: to be used to support graduate student fellowships within the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies.

Dr. Mary Agnella Gunn Memorial Scholarship: presented to worthy undergraduate or graduate students in education.

Drs. Andrew and Jeanne Stevenson Scholarship: presented to students in the College of Education with preference to students studying science education who plan to one day teach science education.

Duane D. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: awarded to a transfer student from an Iowa community college who is currently enrolled in a program in the College of Education.

Edgar M. and Evelyn Benzler Tanruther Scholarship: presented to undergraduate and/or graduate students in elementary education.

Emily C. Wagner Scholarship: presented to an undergraduate student in secondary education with an English education teaching major who will be student teaching in the academic year following the award. The student must be an Iowa resident, have a grade-point average of at least 3.00, and demonstrate financial need.

Emma E. Holmes Education Scholarship: presented to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student in any program in the College of Education; based on merit and need, the recipient must be a U.S. citizen with first preference for a student in the top 20% of their class; second preference for a student with demonstrated financial need.

Ernest L. and Janet M. Yeakey Education Scholarship: presented to a deserving student in the College of Education with preference given to a student who is from the state of Iowa and pursuing math education.

Ernest T. Pascarella Military Veteran Promise Award: presented to a graduate student veteran in the College of Education who demonstrates exceptional career promise.

Erwin and Louise Wasta International Scholarship: presented to an international student in the College of Education.

Franklin D. and Louise P. Stone International Scholarship: presented to an outstanding international student pursuing a PhD in the College of Education.

Gladys and Margaret Harvey Education Scholarship: presented to students who show financial need and are enrolled in the College of Education.

Grace Phelps Stucker Scholarship: presented to an undergraduate or graduate teacher education student.

Guy and Gladys Peterson Scholarship: presented to students admitted to the Teacher Education Program who have completed at least 12 s.h. of education coursework.

Harvey H. Davis Memorial Scholarship: presented to outstanding graduate students in educational leadership with preference given to students interested in the financing of education.

H.D. Hoover Excellence Scholarship: presented to a graduate student working on mathematics achievement testing in the elementary grades.

Helen Mackin Nichol Memorial Scholarship: presented to students from Iowa who are in secondary education and plan to teach and work with mentally and emotionally disturbed children.

Hemphill/Jones Higher Education Masters Student Award: presented to deserving students in the College of Education with preference given to historically underrepresented students of color working toward an MA degree in higher education and student affairs.

Henry Kepner Math Education Scholarship: presented to deserving students who are pursuing a degree in math education.

Hubbard Family Legacy Award: presented to students majoring in mathematics, physics, or chemistry who are pursuing a secondary education teaching certificate with the intention to teach at the secondary level.

Jack Bagford Elementary Education Scholarship: presented to an undergraduate or graduate student in elementary education who will be student teaching during the academic year following the award; recipient must be a resident of Iowa.

James and Coretta Stroud Fellowship: presented to an outstanding graduate student in educational psychology.

Jananne F. Nelson Elementary Education Scholarship: presented to a student pursuing a degree in elementary education specializing in literacy.

Jeanette Kinsey Elementary Education Scholarship: presented to an elementary education student.

John H. Haefner Memorial Scholarship: presented to a student who will be student teaching in the area of social studies.

John Leonard Davies Scholarship: presented to a student who is a first- or second-semester senior in the Department of Teaching and Learning who is viewed as being creative and having outstanding potential for success in the field of K–12 education.

Judith Young Saunders Scholarship: presented to an undergraduate or graduate student who is pursuing a degree in teacher education, with preference given to students with severe visual impairments.

Judy Skalsky Memorial Scholarship: presented to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in art education.

Kathleen M. Ramsay and Family Scholarship: presented to deserving students in the College of Education with preference given to third-year or higher-level students, or to students who have a focus in elementary or secondary education and demonstrate financial need.

Kyle C. and Eula B. Jones Scholarship: presented to undergraduate and graduate students planning careers in elementary and secondary education and administration.

Laurie Jane Croft Scholarship: presented to undergraduate or graduate students in the College of Education who are pursuing an endorsement in gifted education.

Leonard A. Miller Memorial Scholarship: presented to an outstanding first-year MA student in rehabilitation counseling.

Lowell Brandt Rehabilitation Counseling Award: presented to graduate students pursuing a master's degree in the rehabilitation counseling program.

Margaret A. Sloan Scholarship: presented to undergraduate or graduate students in the College of Education.

Margaret P. Park Scholarship: presented to deserving students in the College of Education with preference given to students from St. Louis County, Minnesota; Rock Island County, Illinois; or Iowa.

Mary Ann DePrenger Scholarship for Elementary Education: presented to students pursuing elementary education certification.

Mary Bywater Cross and Robert P. Newman Research Award: awarded to graduate students to provide support for travel and related expenses for attendance at conferences and events at which research is presented and shared, or to conduct research within the field of education.

Mary Maxine Redmond Scholarship: presented to undergraduate students from Iowa enrolled in the College of Education.

Maureen Medberry Snell Education Award: presented to outstanding students in the College of Education.

Melvin R. Novick Award in Educational Measurement and Statistics: presented to a third- or fourth-year doctoral student in educational measurement and statistics who has at least a year of study remaining.

Paul Larson Military/Veteran Student Scholarship: presented to College of Education student veterans and military students to help them achieve success in their studies in the College of Education.

Paul Opstad Scholarship: presented to a full- or part-time graduate student in the College of Education whose career or scholarly interests focus on the concerns and needs of international students.

Perry Eugene McClenahan Memorial Scholarship: presented to an outstanding graduate student in educational administration.

Richard L. Sanner Scholarship: presented to deserving graduate students in the College of Education.

Robert L. Brennan Graduate Student Award: presented to a graduate student in the educational measurement and statistics program based on their research.

Rolland Ray Award: presented to doctoral students completing a dissertation concerned with measurement in mathematics education, science education, social studies education, or English education.

Sheila E. McFarland Memorial Scholarship: presented to a student who will be student teaching for a full semester in the area of elementary education; preference for this award will be given to an Iowa resident.

Student Teaching Abroad Scholarship: presented to students who are doing their student teaching in another country.

T. Anne Cleary Psychological Research Scholarship: presented to students in the Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations.

University High School Innovative Developments in Education Award (IDEA): presented to students during their secondary student teaching experience.

Waronka Family Scholarship: presented to one or more deserving students in elementary education who demonstrate merit and are in good academic standing.

Women in Secondary Science/Math Education Scholarship: presented to a female student from a rural area studying secondary science or math education.

• Education Interdepartmental Courses
• Education Honors Opportunity Program Courses

Most College of Education courses are offered by the college's departments and programs. They are listed and described in the corresponding General Catalog sections. The college also offers the following interdepartmental courses.

Education Interdepartmental Courses

Education Honors Opportunity Program Courses