Teaching and Learning

Undergraduate majors: art education (BA); elementary education (BA); English education (BA); mathematics education (BA); music education (BA); science education (BA); social studies education (BA); world language education (BA); science studies (BS, granted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)

Graduate degrees: MA in teaching and learning; MAT in teaching and learning; MS in teaching and learning; PhD in teaching and learning

Faculty: https://education.uiowa.edu/directory

Website: https://education.uiowa.edu/about/administration/department-teaching-and-learning

Department of Teaching and Learning programs prepare graduates for positions in public schools, local and state education agencies, clinical settings, and institutions of higher education. All licensure programs are approved by the Iowa Department of Education.

Undergraduate students pursuing a BA with a major in art education, elementary education, English education, mathematics education, music education, science education, social studies education, or world language education, must satisfy the GE CLAS Core requirements.

Undergraduate students pursuing a BS with a major in science studies must meet the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree, including the GE CLAS Core; see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Policies Handbook.

The Department of Teaching and Learning offers, or jointly administers with departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, advanced degree programs in the following fields of professional interest: art education; English education; world/foreign language, multilingual, and English as a Second Language education; literacy, culture, and language education; mathematics education; music education; science education; social studies education; special education; STEM education; and teaching, leadership, and cultural competency.

Graduate Degree Programs

The department offers graduate degree programs in three major areas: elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Elementary Education Programs

  • art education (offered in the MA and MAT in teaching and learning); and
  • teaching, leadership, and cultural competency (offered in the MA in teaching and learning).

Secondary Education Programs

  • art education (offered in the MA and MAT in teaching and learning);
  • English education (offered in the MA and MAT in teaching and learning);
  • world language and English as a Second Language (ESL) education (offered in the MA and MAT in teaching and learning);
  • literacy, culture, and language education (offered in the PhD in teaching and learning);
  • mathematics education (offered in the MA, MAT, and PhD in teaching and learning);
  • science education (offered in the MS, MAT, and PhD in teaching and learning);
  • social studies education (offered in the MA and MAT in teaching and learning);
  • special education (offered in the MA and PhD in teaching and learning);
  • STEM education (offered in the MS in teaching and learning); and
  • teaching, leadership, and cultural competency (offered in the MA in teaching and learning).
Student graduates wearing their cap and gowns standing by a Hawkeye Teachers banner.

The secondary education area also collaborates with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to offer an education option for graduate students earning an MS in mathematics; an MA and PhD in music with a concentration in music education; and a combined BA/MAT in teaching and learning with a science education subprogram for undergraduates majoring in biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, or physics. In addition, the area offers an ESL endorsement for individuals who are enrolled in a Department of Teaching and Learning graduate degree program or who are licensed in-service teachers.

In addition, the MA in music is administered by the School of Music (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in cooperation with the College of Education. The concentration in music education provides students with deeper insights into music, the theory and practice of music education, and the role of music in the school curriculum.

The PhD in music with concentration in music education prepares students for teaching, research, and administrative posts. Graduates find employment as college teachers of music education classes and activities; as band, chorus, and orchestra directors; and as administrators of music departments and schools of music. Some apply their skills in public schools as music supervisors, research and curriculum consultants, and directors of city or district school music programs. Doctor of Philosophy students whose concentration is music therapy enroll in the PhD program with concentration in music education. Modifications in the curricular requirements are made to reflect the professional knowledge and skills required for positions such as college teaching or advanced clinical or research positions in music therapy. Both programs are administered by the School of Music (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in cooperation with the College of Education.

Special Education Program

  • special education (offered in the MA and PhD in teaching and learning).

Applicants for admission to University of Iowa graduate degree programs must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Graduate Certificates

The graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis is offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning. To learn more, see the Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis in the catalog.

The graduate Certificate in Talent Development is offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning. To learn more, see the Certificate in Talent Development in the catalog.