K–12 Equity and Inclusion, Graduate Certificate
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in K–12 Equity and Inclusion requires 12 s.h. of credit and is offered with both synchronous online and in-person classes. Students must maintain a Graduate College major program grade-point average of at least 2.50. They must earn at least a grade of C in each course required for the certificate. All courses must be taken on a graded basis.
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.
This certificate program encourages the development of the knowledge and skills necessary to meet standard 3 (equity and cultural responsiveness) of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, adopted by the School Administrators of Iowa. Course offerings contribute to the development of competencies in the areas of research, policy, practice, and student advocacy. These competencies are essential for effectively dismantling educational disparities for pre-kindergarten to grade 12 students from historically marginalized backgrounds (including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, immigration status, language spoken at home, and disability status).
The Certificate in K–12 Equity and Inclusion requires 12 s.h. of coursework from two categories: practice and policy. Participating students must choose at least one course from each category. The remainder of the courses may be from either category.
The certificate program recommends that students focus course-specific content on a problem of practice related to equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and/or anti-oppression. Students work with the certificate advisor to devise a specific program of study and develop appropriate course-related projects.
The Certificate in K–12 Equity and Inclusion requires the following coursework.
Practice
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of these: | ||
| EPLS:6242 | Research for Effective School Leaders | 3 |
| EPLS:6266 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| EPLS:6321 | Social Advocacy Summit | 1 |
| EPLS:6329 | Legislative Summit | 1 |
| EPLS:7432 | Strategies for Inclusive Leadership | 3 |
Policy
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| At least one of these: | ||
| EPLS:5123 | History of Ethnic/Minority Education | 3 |
| EPLS:5126 | Twentieth-Century Educational Movements | 3 |
| EPLS:6222 | Introduction to Educational Policy | 3 |
| EPLS:6238 | Gender and Education in Historical Perspective | 3 |
| EPLS:6239 | LGBTQ History in Education | 3 |
| EPLS:6270 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| EDTL:7040 | Advanced Topics in Teaching and Learning (when topic is disability studies perspectives in education) | 3 |
For more information, contact the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.