The Specialist in Education program in educational policy and leadership studies with an educational leadership subprogram requires 36 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered for educators who already have their master's degree and Iowa administrator license. Students must earn a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in major coursework.
The program prepares candidates to be superintendents in Iowa or to hold other district-level leadership positions in K-12 school districts. It also prepares them for appointments as area education agency chief administrators and for jobs in state or federal departments of education.
Students complete 26 s.h. of coursework, 10 s.h. of clinical work, and present an entry plan. Many educational leadership courses are offered by distance education; see MyUI for information about courses offered during current semesters. At the conclusion of the program, students are required to present their first-year entry plan. For detailed information, refer to Ed.S. programs on the Educational Leadership website.
Students seeking superintendent endorsement must have an Iowa administrator license. They obtain the superintendent endorsement (State of Iowa endorsement 171) upon completing the required Ed.S. coursework and at least three years of principal experience.
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College and of the educational leadership program. Required application materials include transcripts, official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (however, the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2021-22 admissions cycle), three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of career goals. Admission is based on grade-point average and GRE scores, promise for scholarly and professional growth, and recommendations. Application deadline for fall semester is July 1; for spring semester, December 1; and for summer session, April 30. Complete applications are reviewed as they are received.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For specific score requirements, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
The Specialist in Education program in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education and student affairs subprogram requires 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must earn a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in major coursework.
The program provides advanced graduate study in administration, policy studies, and specializations developed in consultation with an advisor. The Ed.S. also may be awarded upon completion of a combined program of graduate work in higher education and another academic field, or upon completion of a higher education sequence following a master's degree program in a different field.
Required Courses
The Ed.S. program of study must include the following.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Education and Related Field Courses | 18 | |
| Electives (approved by advisor) | 10 | |
| Specialization Area Courses | 28 | |
| EPLS:7395 | Educational Specialist Research | 4 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Depending on the student's career goals, the program may include an appropriate structured and supervised internship, determined in consultation with the advisor.
Comprehensive Examination
A culminating experience is required of all students, the nature of which is contracted with the advisor. An oral examination of the culminating experience may be required.
Related Field
Students majoring in another field who want to complete a related field in higher education and student affairs should consult with a higher education and student affairs faculty member early in their study. Plans of study are developed individually.
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Admission is based on grade-point average, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test scores (however, the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2021-22 admissions cycle), and promise for professional growth. Transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of educational goals are required.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For specific score requirements, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
The Specialist in Education program in educational policy and leadership studies with a school curriculum and assessment policy subprogram requires a minimum of 36 s.h. of graduate credit beyond the master's degree (required credit may vary depending on a student's academic background, experiences, needs, and interests). Students must earn a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 in major coursework.
The interdisciplinary program trains graduate students to become school leaders who know how to use assessment information for accountability purposes and curriculum evaluation. The program offers concentrations in policy, measurement and statistics, and curriculum and draws on coursework from across the College of Education. Graduates are qualified to serve as educational leaders in the areas of school policy, assessment, and curriculum at federal, state, and district levels.
For more information on the school curriculum and assessment policy programs, see the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies.
The Ed.S. in educational policy and leadership studies with a school curriculum and assessment policy subprogram requires the following work.
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| EPLS:6265 | Standards-Based Education and Accountability | 3 |
| EPLS:6270 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| EPLS:6381 | Analysis and Appraisal of Curriculum | 3 |
| EPLS:6383 | Supervision and Evaluation | 3 |
Assessment Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| EPLS:5165 | Introduction to Program and Project Evaluation | 3 |
| PSQF:6257 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
Research Methodology
Students select one quantitative research methods course and one qualitative research methods course.
Quantitative Research Methods
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| EPLS:6206 | Research Process and Design | 3 |
| PSQF:6246 | Design of Experiments | 4 |
Qualitative Research Methods
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| EPLS:7373 | Qualitative Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| EDTL:7070 | Qualitative Research Methods in Teaching and Learning | 3 |
Concentration Area
Students choose one concentration area and complete three courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Policy: Educational Policy and Leadership Studies | ||
| EPLS:6225 | Higher Education Policy | 3 |
| EPLS:6228 | K-12 Education Finance and Policy | 3 |
| EPLS:6242 | Research for Effective School Leaders | 3 |
| Measurement and Statistics: Psychological and Quantitative Foundations | ||
| PSQF:6243 | Intermediate Statistical Methods | 3 |
| PSQF:6255 | Construction and Use of Evaluation Instruments | 3 |
| PSQF:7350 | Seminar in Evaluation | 3 |
| Curriculum: Teaching and Learning | ||
| EDTL:6840 | Theories and Perspectives in Global Education | 3 |
| EDTL:6841 | Attaining a Global Perspective | 3 |
| EDTL:7004 | Schooling in the United States | 3 |
| EDTL:7033 | Seminar on Teacher Education | 3 |
Capstone Project
All students complete the capstone project.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| EPLS:7395 | Educational Specialist Research | 3 |
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College and of the school curriculum and assessment policy program. Factors considered include recommendations, grade-point average, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores (however, the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2021-22 admissions cycle), one to two page statement of goals, and other evidence of academic ability and professional promise. Application deadline for fall semester is July 1; for spring semester, December 1; and for summer session, April 30.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For specific score requirements, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, Ed.S.
Educational Leadership Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 60 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; maximum of 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits can be applied upon approval to fulfill the degree requirements. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b, c | ||
| Cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 required in major coursework. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Work with academic advisor to determine sequence of coursework. | ||
| EPLS:6270 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| EPLS:6315 | Orientation to the Superintendency | 3 |
| EPLS:6415 | Orientation to the Superintendency: Clinical d | 2 |
| EPLS:6321 | Social Advocacy Summit | 1 |
| EPLS:6323 | School Finance | 2 |
| EPLS:6329 | Legislative Summit | 1 |
| EPLS:6405 | Superintendent Entry Plan and Portfolio Development d, e | 1 |
| EPLS:6265 | Standards-Based Education and Accountability | 3 |
| Elective | 2 - 3 | |
| Hours | 18-19 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Work with academic advisor to determine sequence of coursework. | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| EPLS:6317 | Operational Leadership and Management | 1 |
| EPLS:6417 | Operational Leadership Clinical d | 1 |
| EPLS:6319 | Human Resources Leadership | 2 |
| EPLS:6419 | Human Resources Leadership Clinical d | 2 |
| EPLS:6325 | Organizational and Educational Leadership | 2 |
| EPLS:6404 | Central Administration Clinical d | 3 |
| EPLS:6425 | Organizational and Educational Leadership Clinical d | 1 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Final Exam f | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Total Hours | 36-37 | |
| a | 36 s.h. of graduate level coursework is the minimum required for students entering the program with a master's degree. Note: must hold Iowa Administrator License and have 3 years of experience as a principal prior to completion of the program. |
| b | Complete most course requirements prior to taking clinical requirements; work with academic advisor to select electives. |
| c | Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information. |
| d | Students are required to spend 40 clock hours of effort for each semester hour of clinical courses; see department website for specifics. |
| e | Satisfies the Comprehensive Exam requirement. |
| f | Present First Year Entry Plan. |
School Curriculum and Assessment Policy Subprogram
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 60 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; maximum of 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits can be applied upon approval to fulfill the degree requirements. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 required in major coursework. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Work with academic advisor to determine sequence of coursework. | ||
| EPLS:6265 | Standards-Based Education and Accountability | 3 |
| EPLS:6270 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| EPLS:6381 | Analysis and Appraisal of Curriculum | 3 |
| EPLS:6383 | Supervision and Evaluation | 3 |
| EPLS:5165 | Introduction to Program and Project Evaluation | 3 |
| PSQF:6257 | Educational Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Work with academic advisor to determine sequence of coursework. | ||
| EPLS:6206 or PSQF:6246 |
Research Process and Design c or Design of Experiments |
3 - 4 |
| EPLS:7373 or EDTL:7070 |
Qualitative Research Design and Methods c or Qualitative Research Methods in Teaching and Learning |
3 |
| Hours | 6-7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Work with academic advisor to determine sequence of coursework. | ||
| Concentration Area course d | 3 - 4 | |
| Concentration Area course d | 3 - 4 | |
| Concentration Area course d | 3 - 4 | |
| Hours | 9-12 | |
| Spring | ||
| EPLS:7395 | Educational Specialist Research e | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 36-40 | |
| a | 36 s.h. of graduate level coursework is the minimum required for students entering the program with a master's degree. |
| b | Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information. |
| c | Research Methodology requirement; students select one Quantitative Research Methods course and one Qualitative Research Methods course. |
| d | Students choose one Concentration Area (Policy, Measurement and Statistics, or Curriculum) and complete three courses; see General Catalog for list of approved courses. |
| e | Capstone Project: students will write a substantive research paper and present it to an interdisciplinary faculty committee during their final semester in the Ed.S. program. |