This is the first version of the 2023-24 General Catalog. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

Learning Outcomes

Specialized Content Knowledge

The M.A. will support students in acquiring and displaying a mastery of content knowledge suitable to their professional specialization (schools, culture, and society; 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 level. 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 cumulative 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 M.A. student prepares a plan of study that includes the following core requirements.

Core Requirements

All of these:
EPLS:6201Foundations of School Administration3
EPLS:6236Special Education Administration3
EPLS:6242Research for Effective School Leaders3
EPLS:6260Contemporary Management Strategies for the Pre-K-12 Principal3
EPLS:6285School and Community Relationships3
EPLS:6298Legal Aspects of School Personnel3
EPLS:6381Analysis and Appraisal of Curriculum3
EPLS:6383Supervision and Evaluation3

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 listed above and the following required clinical courses.

EPLS:6400Early Childhood Leadership Clinical3
EPLS:6401Elementary Leadership Clinical3
EPLS:6402Secondary Leadership Clinical3
EPLS:6403Special Education Leadership Clinical3

Electives

Students earning an M.A. without principal licensure are not required to complete the clinical courses. Instead, they complete the core requirements listed above and a series of electives (12 s.h.) approved by their advisors. For more detailed information, see the Educational Leadership website.

Comprehensive Examination

Students in the M.A. program with licensure or the M.A. 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 on 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 M.A. program in educational leadership must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Admission decisions are made through a faculty review process. Factors considered include recommendations, grade-point average, and a statement of purpose from candidates focused on leadership, time management, social justice, and meeting the needs of all students. The review team also considers additional evidence of academic ability and professional promise.

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 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 M.A. in educational policy and leadership studies with a higher education and student affairs subprogram requires the following work.

Requirements

Common Core

All of these:
EPLS:5100Issues and Policies in Higher Education3
EPLS:5247Multiculturalism in Higher Education3
EPLS:5250Introduction to Higher Education and Student Affairs3
EPLS:5251College Students and Their Environments3
EPLS:5252Administration of Higher Education and Student Affairs3
EPLS:5253Research, Assessment, and Evaluation in Higher Education3
EPLS:6332Conceptual Foundations of College Student Development3
EPLS:6334Theoretical Foundations of College Student Development3

Integrative Experiences

All of these:
EPLS:6301Professional Seminar I1
EPLS:6305Higher Education and Student Affairs Capstone3
EPLS:6333Practicum in Higher Education and Student Affairs (required once; students may enroll a maximum of 3 times; those with appropriate professional experiences may, with faculty approval, waive this requirement)3

Electives

Students choose elective coursework in consultation with their advisor. (EPLS, EDTL, CSED, and PSQF courses numbered 3000 and above can be taken with advisor approval)  .

At least 9 s.h. from these:
EPLS:5278Helping Skills in Student Affairs Work3
EPLS:6206Research Process and Design3
EPLS:6216Finance in Higher Education3
EPLS:6218The Law and Higher Education3
EPLS:6220History of Higher Education3
EPLS:6224Organizational Theory and Administrative Behavior3
EPLS:6225Higher Education Policy3
EPLS:6275Diversity and Equity in Higher Education3
EPLS:6293Individualized Instruction (may be taken once up to 3 s.h.)3
EPLS:6336Impact of College on Students3
EPLS:7380Practicum in College Teaching (may be taken once up to 3 s.h.)3
EPLS:7385Teaching and Learning in Higher Education3
EPLS:7432Multicultural Initiatives3

Courses from other departments also may be approved; students should consult their advisor.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. Admission is based on grade-point average and promise for professional growth. Transcripts, a résumé or curriculum vita, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement are required. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is optional. The statement of purpose (one to three pages) should include professional goals, whether the applicant plans to enroll full time or part time, and how the applicant's goals and experiences are consistent with the higher education and student affairs program's mission and values.

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.

Application deadline is Dec. 15 for admission the following fall. Applicants who are recommended for admission are invited to come to campus for spring Campus Visit Days, during which they interview for internships. Full-time students must be employed at an approved site (usually in an approved internship).

The department is not admitting students to the schools, culture, and society subprogram at this time.

The Master of Arts program in educational policy and leadership studies with a schools, culture, and society subprogram requires a minimum of 32 s.h. of graduate credit and is offered without thesis, although a thesis option is available. Students must earn a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 in major coursework.

The program develops students' ability to analyze the influence of social and historical factors that frame contemporary issues in education. Students complete at least 21 s.h. in schools, culture, and society courses in two disciplinary areas: sociology and history. They earn 12 s.h. in one of the disciplinary areas and 9 s.h. in the other area. The remaining 11 s.h. of coursework must be in a concentration area outside the schools, culture, and society disciplinary areas appropriate to the student's career and academic goals.

Students must satisfactorily complete a six-hour comprehensive examination covering their disciplinary concentration area and other two areas of study. Alternately, students may choose to write a thesis. The examining committee may elect to hold an oral examination after the exam.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College. A personal interview with one or more members of the program's faculty is recommended. Undergraduate and/or graduate emphases in education, sociology, and the humanities (philosophy, history, and so forth) provide good background for graduate study of schools, culture, and society, although other emphases also may be useful.

Applicants must submit a personal statement explaining their professional goals, experiences, and research plans; undergraduate and graduate grade-point averages; undergraduate and graduate transcripts; three letters of recommendation; a résumé; and scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test (however, the GRE requirement has been suspended for the 2023-24 admissions cycle). Application deadline is Feb. 15 for admission the following fall.

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, M.A.

Educational Leadership Subprogram

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
36 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
First Year
Any Semester
Work with academic advisor to determine sequence
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
 Hours24
Second Year
Any Semester
Elective course b 3
Elective course b 3
Elective course b 3
Elective course b 3
Final Exam c
 Hours12
 Total Hours36
a
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.
b
Up to 12 s.h. required by the end of year two; work with academic advisor to select electives.
c
Two-part written comprehensive exam taken in the final semester.

Higher Education and Student Affairs Subprogram

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
40 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
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
 Hours10
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
Elective course c 3
 Hours12
Second Year
Fall
EPLS:5100 Issues and Policies in Higher Education 3
EPLS:5253 Research, Assessment, and Evaluation in Higher Education 3
Elective course c 3
 Hours9
Spring
EPLS:5252 Administration of Higher Education and Student Affairs 3
EPLS:6305 Higher Education and Student Affairs Capstone 3
Elective course c 3
 Hours9
 Total Hours40
a
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.
b
Required once; students enroll in this course a maximum of 3 times. Students with appropriate experience, with faculty approval, may waive this requirement.
c
See catalog for list of approved electives; courses outside the program require faculty advisor approval.