Ann Gansemer-Topf, Director of the School of Education
School of Education
School of Education Vision
The School of Education at Iowa State University will advance the land-grant ideals through excellence in teaching and learning, innovative research, and meaningful partnerships that ensure all communities thrive.
School of Education Mission
The School of Education at Iowa State University empowers educators, leaders, and researchers to serve all communities by applying evidence-based practice. We address key challenges and engage collaborators in support of our steadfast commitment to educational opportunity and success in Iowa, the nation, and the world.
Undergraduate Study
The School of Education provides the professional education coursework to support the completion of the Educator Preparation Program. Program completers can then be recommended for licensure to the Iowa Board of Education Examiners. In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework. Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
Teacher Education
For information about educator preparation programs that lead to teaching licensure, please see Teacher Education/Educator Preparation.
Education Studies, B.S.
The undergraduate curriculum in education studies leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. This degree program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for professions within the field of education outside of K-12 classroom teaching. This non-licensure degree seeks to equip educators across the education landscape with the ability to design, implement, and assess educational programming that advances teaching and learning for all.
As part of this degree program, students take classes that meet ISU general education and college-level requirements along with the SOE professional core and foundations courses for the first two years along with SOE licensure students to provide a grounding in education. In the final two years, students in this degree program pursue a parallel track that would include coursework focused on one of three emphasis areas (Teaching, Learning & Leadership, Innovation, Technology, & Society, or STEM) before participating in a semester-long internship related to their career goals.
LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES MINOR
The School of Education offers a Learning Technologies minor available to all teacher education candidates. In order to earn this minor, candidates must register for the minor and complete the following sequences of courses:
| EDUC 2010 | Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom | 3 |
| or EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom | |
| EDUC 2800B | Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Educational Technologies | 1 |
| EDUC 3020 | Principles and Practices of Learning with Technology | 3 |
| EDUC 4070 | Online Education in Pre-K-12 Classrooms: Hybrid, Virtual, and Blended Approaches | 3 |
| EDUC 4540 | Emerging Topics in Educational Technologies (take for a total of 3 credits) | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| COMS 1270 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| EDUC 3700 | Toying with Technology | 3 |
| Other approved COMS course | 3 | |
Candidates must receive a "C" or above in all courses
Additional information can be found at: https://www.education.iastate.edu/find-majors/learning-technologies-minor/
Graduate Study
The School of Education offers coursework and experiences for the degrees Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Master of Science, and Master of Education with a major in education. Students can pursue graduate programs, including a major in education, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, leading to completion of a teacher preparation program, including endorsements in secondary science, mathematics, English, social sciences, and business. In addition, endorsements in reading and special education can also be pursued by graduate students. Several graduate certificate programs are offered through the School of Education. Graduate programs are offered in school administration.
Doctoral Degree Programs
Students pursuing a Ph.D. may earn an education degree with a focus area. Specific information about the requirements of and options available within the Ph.D. degree in education are available from the School office or on the School of Education Graduate Programs website.
Graduates of the Ph.D. program in education are prepared to pursue careers as scholars, leaders, and administrators in various educational settings, including public and private colleges and universities, community colleges, public and private K-12 schools and districts, non-profits, and corporate training settings.
Students in the School of Education may complete an Education Doctorate (Ed.D.) with a major in education. Students may earn an education degree with an emphasis in Community College Leadership. Specific information about the requirements of the Ed.D. degree in education are available on the School of Education Graduate Programs website. Graduates of the Ed.D. program in education are prepared to pursue careers as scholar-practitioners in leadership roles in community colleges, public and private education agencies, and state departments of education.
Master’s Degree Programs
The School of Education offers two master's degrees: the Master of Science and the Master of Education. Students may earn an M.Ed. in education in either student affairs or higher education, or an M.S. or an M.Ed. in education in one of the following areas: language, literacy, and culture; mathematics education; or science education. An M.Ed. generalist education degree is also available.
Specific information about the requirements of and options available within M.S. or M.Ed. degrees in education are available from the School office or on the website School of Education Graduate Programs website https://www.education.iastate.edu/graduate-programs/
Graduates of the master’s degree programs are prepared to pursue careers as educational leaders, higher education professionals, researchers, and advanced practitioners in colleges and universities, community colleges, public and private schools, education agencies, and informal (free-choice) education settings.
Other graduate programs related to education (including Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies) may be planned for students on the basis of previous education and experiences as well as future plans and needs. For more information, students should refer to Agricultural Education and Studies, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Kinesiology, and Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies or to graduate level course offerings within other departments.
Graduate minor in education
A minor in Education is available at both the master’s and doctoral level. Graduate students in other majors may pursue a graduate minor in Education. A minor for doctoral students requires 15 credits in education courses, while a minor for master’s students requires 9 credits. Students should identify a faculty member who will serve as the minor representative on their Academic Plan Committee and work with this person to identify an appropriate set of courses to fit the student’s interests. The minor is not an appropriate option for students whose primary interests are in research methodology; the graduate certification Applied Research in the Human Sciences should be used instead. Doctoral students are reminded that a minor must be declared before the preliminary oral examination.
Graduate Teacher and Educational Leadership Preparation Programs
The School of Education offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching - Science Education and a Masters of Arts in Teaching - Mathematics Education for candidates who currently have a bachelor's degree in a science area (or a closely related field) or in mathematics (or a closely related field), respectively. In addition, the School of Education offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education that is currently available for individuals with degrees in English, business, or history/social sciences interested in becoming a teacher. In these teacher preparation programs, program completers who apply for licensure are recommended for teacher licensure to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Teacher preparation programs at the graduate level are also offered in Agricultural Education (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) and Physical Education (College of Human Sciences). The School of Education provides the professional core education coursework for these programs. Students in a graduate teacher preparation program must complete specific courses. Specific information about these programs can be found by contacting these departments.
Graduate level programs leading to recommendation for teaching endorsements, including Reading endorsements and Instructional Strategist II: Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities, are offered through the School of Education.
In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
- Decision Point 1 - Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- Decision Point 1 - Early Admission to the Educator Preparation Program for Transfer Students
In order to be eligible to student teaching, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and content specific coursework.
- Decision Point 2 - Requirements Students Must Meet Prior to Student Teaching
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an educator preparation program completer.
- Decision Point 3 - Recommendation for Licensure
Graduate students who seek a teaching endorsement in reading or special education, but do not wish to pursue a master’s degree can incorporate those courses in a professional certificate program. Endorsement programs include Instructional Strategist II: Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities, Reading K-8 and Reading 5-12. Information about these endorsements can be found at: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/m4tr3ogr9ouwmiubz5dhv9catryr2jqf
Graduate Certificate Programs
The School of Education offers Graduate Certificate programs to allow students to enhance their skills outside of full degree programs. The Certificate programs currently offered include Applied Research Methods in the Human Sciences, Instructional Design, Education for Social Justice, and Postsecondary Teaching. Certificate programs require a minimum of 12 graduate credits (several require more than this) and can be earned in conjunction with a degree program. More information about graduate certificate programs can be found on the School of Education website.
Courses:
Education (EDUC)
Educational Administration (EDADM)
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS)
Higher Education (HGED)
Health and Human Sciences (HHSCI)
Research and Evaluation (RESEV)
Special Education (SPED)
Educator Preparation Program at Iowa State University
Educator Preparation http://www.education.iastate.edu/educator-prep- program/
The Educator Preparation Program at Iowa State University is a shared responsibility that spans multiple colleges. All candidates who are recommended by Iowa State University for licensure must be considered a program completer by meeting the requirements of the Educator Preparation Program and be recommended by their department, college, and the ISU recommending official. Students who successfully complete the requirements for any of the endorsement areas offered at ISU must demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and dispositions / professional practices required of educators.
All Educator Preparation Program candidates must complete the professional core coursework (information found under each program) and required pedagogy and field experience coursework for their program. In addition, all prospective teachers are required to meet general education requirements as a part of their preparation. General education courses may be found in many departments. Credits listed are minimum requirements. Specific departments and/or colleges may require specific coursework to meet these requirements or additional credits. Credits used to satisfy these general education requirements typically satisfy department and college general education requirements.
For Educator Preparation general education requirements, please visit the School of Education website.
Undergraduate Educator Preparation
Currently, there are fifteen undergraduate Educator Preparation areas offered at Iowa State University.
- Agricultural Education (grades 5-12)
- Biology (grades 5-12)
- Chemistry (grades 5-12)
- Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3)
- Earth Science (grades 5-12)
- Elementary Education (grades K-6)
- English (grades 5-12)
- Family and Consumer Sciences (grades 5-12)
- Health Education (grades 5-12)
- History-Social Sciences (grades 5-12)
- Mathematics (grades 5-12)
- Music (grades K-12)
- Physical Education (grades K-12)
- Physics (grades 5-12)
- World Languages and Cultures (French, German, and Spanish) (grades 5-12)
Teaching Endorsements
The following teaching endorsements are offered:
- Elementary and Early Childhood
- Birth-Grade 3 Inclusive Settings
- K-6 Elementary Classroom
- K-8 Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate
- 5-12 Agriculture
- English Language Arts and Reading
- K-8 Language Arts
- 5-12 English/Language Arts
- K-8 Reading
- 5-12 Reading
- 5-12 Speech Communications and Theater
- K-12 English Language Learners
- 5-12 Family and Consumer Sciences
- Mathematics
- K-8 Mathematics
- 5-12 Mathematics
- 5-12 Mathematics - Basic
- 5-8 Algebra for HS Credit
- K-12 Music
- Physical Education and Health
- K-12 Physical Education
- K-12 Heath
- Science
- K-8 Science
- 5-12 Basic Science
- 5-12 Biology
- 5-12 Chemistry
- 5-12 Physics
- 5-12 Earth Science
- Social Sciences
- K-8 Social Studies
- 5-12 American Government
- 5-12 American History
- 5-12 Anthropology
- 5-12 Economics
- 5-12 Psychology
- 5-12 Social Sciences - Basic
- 5-12 Sociology
- 5-12 World History
- World Languages and Cultures
- 5-12 Spanish
- 5-12 French
- 5-12 German
- 5-12 Russian
- Other
- 5-12 Multi-Occupations
- K-12 Athletic Coaching
Information about endorsements can be found at: https://education.iastate.edu/
Specific program requirements can be found within each department that houses the endorsement. Information on K-12 Coaching, K-12 English as a Second Language, and 5-12 Reading can be found at: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/m4tr3ogr9ouwmiubz5dhv9catryr2jqf
Elementary Education
Elementary majors in education must complete all of the required degree curriculum. This can be found at: https://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofhumansciences/elementaryeducation/
K-12 and Secondary Education
Students wanting to pursue K-12 or Secondary Teacher Education major in the content area in which they want to focus. They then pursue one of two options depending upon their program: 1) complete the secondary major in Education or 2) complete additional coursework required to complete the Educator Preparation Program. Program completers who apply for licensure are recommended to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Secondary majors in education must complete all of the required degree curriculum. This can be found at: http://www.catalog.iastate.edu/ collegeofhumansciences/educationsecondary/
Other Educator Preparation Programs
Iowa State offers the following undergraduate Educator Preparation Programs not associated with the School of Education elementary or secondary major:
- Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3 Unified
- 5-12 Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
- 5-12 Family and Consumer Sciences Education
- K-12 Music Education
- K-12 Physical Education
Please check departmental information regarding specific requirements for each program.
Admission and Continuance Requirements
In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
- Decision Point 1 - Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- Decision Point 1 - Early Admission to the Educator Preparation Program for Transfer Students
In order to be eligible to student teaching (EDUC 4170), candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and content specific coursework.
- Decision Point 2 - Requirements Students Must Meet Prior to Student Teaching
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an educator preparation program completer.
- Decision Point 3 - Recommendation for Licensure
The Professional Core Requirement for Educator Preparation
Educator Preparation Program candidates must complete certain studies related directly to the profession of teaching. Candidates must meet the minimum grades for content and pedagogy coursework as outlined in the admission and continuance decision point policies. All degree requirements must also be met. These can be found here: http://www.catalog.iastate.edu/
- As outlined in Decision Point policies, candidates must have a minimum grade requirement of C for all Education (EDUC), Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS), Special Education (SPED) courses, and all other program-specific pedagogy coursework required for licensure.
- Candidate must earn a minimum grade of C- for courses in the department of the major specifically required for teacher licensure (content coursework).
- History/Social Sciences Educator Preparation candidates must earn a minimum grade requirement of a B- for courses in the department of the major specifically required for teacher licensure (content coursework).
- See program coordinator or advisors for more information.
NOTE: Specific majors will provide approved options to meet these requirements.
For Educator Preparation general education requirements, please visit the School of Education website: https://education.iastate.edu/current-students/educator-preparation-program/resources/curriculum-requirements/
Candidates would be required to complete the Professional Core requirements of the program. In general, the sequence includes:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
*Must receive C or better.
Coursework in content-specific pedagogy and field experience coursework also need to be successfully completed. Please check department information regarding to specific requirements for each program.
Post-Bachelor's Educator Preparation Programs
Post-Bachelor’s Students
Students holding an appropriate bachelor’s degree who wish to complete a teacher preparation program in order to pursue teacher licensure must have at least one course in each of the following five general education groups identified for undergraduate students in the preceding section: Natural Sciences, Mathematics or Statistics, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Communication Skills. Individual departments preparing teachers may require additional credits in general education. (See program coordinator for more information). Students holding an appropriate bachelor’s degree may complete the K-12 or secondary educator preparation program in order to be recommended for teacher licensure.
In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
- Decision Point 1 - Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- Decision Point 1 - Early Admission to the Educator Preparation Program for Transfer Students
In order to be eligible to student teaching, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and content specific coursework.
- Decision Point 2 - Requirements Students Must Meet Prior to Student Teaching
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an educator preparation program completer.
- Decision Point 3 - Recommendation for Licensure
Candidates would be required to complete the Professional Core requirements of the program. In general, the sequence includes:
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| PSYCH 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
*Must receive C or better.
Coursework in content-specific pedagogy and field experience coursework also need to be successfully completed. Please check department information regarding to specific requirements for each program.
Educator Preparation Programs for which post-bachelor candidates take undergraduate Educator Preparation courses include;
English (grades 5-12)
Health Education (grades 5-12)
History-Social Sciences (grades 5-12)
World Languages and Cultures (French, German, and Spanish) (grades 5-12)
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS WITH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM COMPLETION
These programs are designed for students who do not currently hold a teaching license. The programs are listed below:
- Agricultural Education (M.S.)
- General Education Mathematics Education (M.A.T.)
- Physical Education (M.S.)
- Secondary Science Education (M.A.T.)
- Secondary Education - English, Social Studies, Business (M.A.T.)
In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.
Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.
- Decision Point 1 - Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- Decision Point 1 - Early Admission to the Educator Preparation Program for Transfer Students
In order to be eligible to student teaching, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and content specific coursework.
- Decision Point 2 - Requirements Students Must Meet Prior to Student Teaching
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an educator preparation program completer.
- Decision Point 3 - Recommendation for Licensure
Graduate level programs leading to recommendation for additional teaching endorsements are offered through the School of Education. Graduate students who seek a teaching endorsement in reading or special education, but do not wish to pursue a master’s degree can incorporate the coursework in a professional certificate program. Endorsement programs include Instructional Strategist II: Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities, Reading K-8 and Reading 5-12.
Graduate programs are also available for those who wish to pursue educational leadership as a profession as PK-12 school principals or PK-12 superintendents. (See Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Courses and Programs section of this catalog.)
Master’s Students
Prospective teachers must complete certain studies related directly to the profession of teaching. All students enrolled in Master’s programs that lead to completion of an educator preparation program must take the following courses prior to student teaching, unless the student’s program area has an approved content area course deemed to be equivalent. (See Master’s Programs section below for details.)
| EDUC 5050 | Using Technology in Learning and Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 5060 | Social Justice Education and Teaching: Advanced | 3 |
| EDUC 5260 | Principles of Secondary Education Not all programs require this course. Check with program coordinator | 3 |
| EDUC 5290 | Educational Psychology and the Secondary Classroom | 3 |
| or EDUC 5210 | Introduction to the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics and Science | |
| EDUC 5800 | Studies in the Foundations of Education in the United States | 3 |
| SPED 5010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education | 3 |
In addition, candidates must complete all degree program discipline-specific pedagogy coursework, field experience coursework, and content-specific coursework. These requirements can be found in the home department of the major.
CLINICAL EXPERIENCES
The Standards for Practitioner and Administrator Preparation Programs 281—79.14(256) Teacher preparation clinical practice standard states, "The unit and its school partners shall provide field experiences and student teaching opportunities that assist candidates in becoming successful teachers in accordance with the following provisions."
This includes:
- 79.14(4) Teacher candidates admitted to a teacher preparation program must complete a minimum of 80 hours of pre-student teaching field experiences, with at least 10 hours occurring prior to acceptance into the program.
- 79.14(6) The unit is responsible for ensuring that the student teaching experience for initial licensure:
- a. Includes a full-time experience for a minimum of 14 consecutive weeks in duration during the teacher candidate’s final year of the teacher preparation program. (Iowa State University policy requires a full semester experience.)
For most programs, there are four levels for clinical experiences used to meet these requirements. Level 1 involves observation in local schools and is typically completed prior to admission to the educator preparation program. Level 2 involves actively teaching in the classroom with one-two lessons, at minimum. Level 3 involves actively teaching in the classroom with two lessons, at minimum and being observed by a supervisor during teaching. Level 4 is student teaching and involves actively teaching for a semester-long experience where the student teacher bears primary responsibility for planning and instruction within the classroom for a minimum of four weeks during the semester. Level 2, 3 and 4 field experiences involve a course fee, which ranges from $75.00 to $450.00 and are assessed to cover the costs of supervision and placement with a cooperating teacher. Course fees are increased when students teach nationally or internationally. For current course fees, consult the Schedule of Classes. For level 2, 3 and 4 field experiences, the student needs access to transportation because the placement may be within 60 miles of the university. The time commitment for clinical experiences ranges from 1/2 day for level 2 and 3 to the full day for level 4. Students complete a background check before initial placement in schools and other appropriate locations.
Specific field experience course requirements can be found in program/degree requirements.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHER EDUCATION STANDARDS (INTASC STANDARDS)
The Learner and Learning
Standard #1: Learner Development. The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard #2: Learning Differences. The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard #3: Learning Environments. The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Content
Standard #4: Content Knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard #5: Application of Content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Instructional Practices
Standard #6: Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard #7: Planning for Instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard #8: Instructional Strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard #8A: Technology. The teacher integrates current and emerging technology in instruction to encourage student creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy. Teachers practice and advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology (this standard is unique to the Iowa State University Teacher Preparation Program).
Professional Responsibility
Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.