Learning Outcomes
Specialized Content Knowledge
The MA will support students in acquiring and displaying a mastery of content knowledge suitable to their professional specialization (educational leadership; or higher education and student affairs). This content knowledge aligns with and extends the stated external professional society standards for earning a master’s degree in each field.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing
Students will acquire capacities for theoretical and evidentiary-based analysis to critique and synthesize disparate and interdisciplinary perspectives within their specialization.
Impact and Practical Application
Students will acquire professional experiences through supervised experiential learning and practice through internships, practica, capstone, or other applied coursework.
Empirical Skills
Students will develop skills for conducting assessment, evaluation, and research appropriate to the master’s level.
Leadership and Collaboration
Students will be able to analyze, articulate, and respond to complex problems using theory, evidence, and cooperation with individuals, communities, and organizations affected by the issues. Students will be able to analyze, articulate, and respond to complex problems using theory, evidence, and cooperation with those affected by the issues.
Ethical, Inclusive, and Equitable Practice
Students will gain skills in identifying and responding to educational inequities at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels. Specifically, students will apply their skills to advance student learning and development, inclusion, and facilitate organizational change and reform.
The Master of Arts program in educational policy and leadership studies with an educational leadership subprogram requires a minimum of 36 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must earn a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.00 in major coursework.
The program prepares individuals for appointments as school principals and for positions in area education agencies and state departments of education. Upon completion of this degree, students will have completed the requirements to earn a master's degree and to obtain pre-K–12 principal and pre-K–12 supervisor of special education endorsement (State of Iowa endorsement 189). In order to obtain the State of Iowa endorsement, an individual must have at least three years of teaching at the pre-K–12 level.
With the aid of an advisor, each MA student prepares a plan of study that includes the following core requirements.
Core Requirements
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
EPLS:6201 | Foundations of School Administration | 3 |
EPLS:6236 | Special Education Administration | 3 |
EPLS:6242 | Research for Effective School Leaders | 3 |
EPLS:6260 | Contemporary Management Strategies for the Pre-K-12 Principal | 3 |
EPLS:6285 | School and Community Relationships | 3 |
EPLS:6298 | Legal Aspects of School Personnel | 3 |
EPLS:6381 | Analysis and Appraisal of Curriculum | 3 |
EPLS:6383 | Supervision and Evaluation | 3 |
Clinical Courses
For Iowa licensure as a principal, students must hold an Iowa teacher license, have taught for three years, and meet the human relations requirement of the State of Iowa. Students complete the core requirements and the following required clinical courses.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
EPLS:6400 | Early Childhood Leadership Clinical | 3 |
EPLS:6401 | Elementary Leadership Clinical | 3 |
EPLS:6402 | Secondary Leadership Clinical | 3 |
EPLS:6403 | Special Education Leadership Clinical | 3 |
Electives
Students earning an MA without principal licensure are not required to complete the clinical courses. Instead, they complete the core requirements and a series of electives (12 s.h.) approved by their advisors. Students are permitted to select coursework numbered 3000 and above from counselor education (prefix CSED), teaching and learning (prefix EDTL), educational policy and leadership studies (prefix EPLS), and psychological and quantitative foundations (prefix PSQF). For more detailed information, see the Educational Leadership website.
Comprehensive Examination
Students in the MA program with licensure or the MA program without licensure are required to take comprehensive examinations at the end of their program of study. The comprehensive examination is in the format of a mock interview for a building principal or similar leadership position. The faculty provides candidates with a scenario for which they are expected to prepare a presentation to the educational leadership faculty who acts as the hiring team. The presentation is followed by questioning and feedback. Students must be registered in the Graduate College during their comprehensive examination semester if they plan to graduate at the end of the semester.
Admission
Applicants to the MA program in educational leadership must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Students must have K–12 classroom teaching experience. Admission decisions are made through a faculty review process on a rolling basis.
The Master of Arts program in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education and student affairs subprogram requires a minimum of 40 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must earn a UI cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.75 to be eligible for degree conferral.
The program prepares individuals for careers in higher education, including academic administration, policy analysis, first-year programs, student activities and leadership, enrollment management, program evaluation, multicultural affairs, academic and career advising, residence life, and international student services.
The higher education and student affairs program curriculum consists of coursework in postsecondary administration, college students and their environments, college student development, and current and emerging issues in higher education, as well as in research and assessment. The curriculum integrates theory and practice and is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.
The curriculum includes the higher education and student affairs core, supervised practice, and integrative experiences. Elective coursework is subject to advisor approval. An internship at an approved site is required for full admission to the program.
The MA in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education and student affairs subprogram requires the following work.
Requirements
Common Core
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
EPLS:5100 | Issues and Policies in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:5247 | Multiculturalism in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:5250 | Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs | 3 |
EPLS:5251 | College Students and Their Environments | 3 |
EPLS:5252 | Administration of Higher Education and Student Affairs | 3 |
EPLS:5253 | Research, Assessment, and Evaluation in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:6332 | Conceptual Foundations of College Student Development | 3 |
EPLS:6334 | Theoretical Foundations of College Student Development | 3 |
Integrative Experiences
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
EPLS:6301 | Professional Seminar I | 1 |
EPLS:6305 | Higher Education and Student Affairs Capstone | 3 |
EPLS:6333 | Practicum in Higher Education and Student Affairs (required once; students may enroll a maximum of three times. ) | 3 |
Electives
Students choose elective coursework in consultation with their advisor. Courses from other departments may be taken with advisor approval.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
EPLS:5278 | Helping Skills in Student Affairs Work | 3 |
EPLS:6206 | Research Process and Design | 3 |
EPLS:6216 | Finance in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:6218 | The Law and Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:6220 | History of Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:6224 | Organizational Theory and Administrative Behavior | 3 |
EPLS:6225 | Higher Education Policy | 3 |
EPLS:6275 | Diversity and Equity in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:6293 | Individualized Instruction (may be taken once up to 3 s.h.) | 3 |
EPLS:6336 | Impact of College on Students | 3 |
EPLS:7380 | Practicum in College Teaching (may be taken once up to 3 s.h.) | 3 |
EPLS:7385 | Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | 3 |
EPLS:7432 | Multicultural Initiatives | 3 |
Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College.
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, MA
Educational Leadership Subprogram
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career |
Any Semester |
a |
|
| Hours | 0 |
First Year |
Any Semester |
|
|
EPLS:6201 |
Foundations of School Administration |
3 |
EPLS:6236 |
Special Education Administration |
3 |
EPLS:6242 |
Research for Effective School Leaders |
3 |
EPLS:6260 |
Contemporary Management Strategies for the Pre-K-12 Principal |
3 |
EPLS:6285 |
School and Community Relationships |
3 |
EPLS:6298 |
Legal Aspects of School Personnel |
3 |
EPLS:6381 |
Analysis and Appraisal of Curriculum |
3 |
EPLS:6383 |
Supervision and Evaluation |
3 |
| Hours | 24 |
Second Year |
Any Semester |
b |
3 |
b |
3 |
b |
3 |
b |
3 |
|
|
| Hours | 12 |
| Total Hours | 36 |
Higher Education and Student Affairs Subprogram
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career |
Any Semester |
a |
|
| Hours | 0 |
First Year |
Fall |
EPLS:5250 |
Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs |
3 |
EPLS:5251 |
College Students and Their Environments |
3 |
EPLS:6301 |
Professional Seminar I |
1 |
EPLS:6332 |
Conceptual Foundations of College Student Development |
3 |
| Hours | 10 |
Spring |
EPLS:5247 |
Multiculturalism in Higher Education |
3 |
EPLS:6333 |
Practicum in Higher Education and Student Affairs b |
3 |
EPLS:6334 |
Theoretical Foundations of College Student Development |
3 |
c |
3 |
| Hours | 12 |
Second Year |
Fall |
EPLS:5100 |
Issues and Policies in Higher Education |
3 |
EPLS:5253 |
Research, Assessment, and Evaluation in Higher Education |
3 |
c |
3 |
| Hours | 9 |
Spring |
EPLS:5252 |
Administration of Higher Education and Student Affairs |
3 |
EPLS:6305 |
Higher Education and Student Affairs Capstone |
3 |
c |
3 |
| Hours | 9 |
| Total Hours | 40 |