The MA in Educational Leadership is a completely online, accredited Iowa school administrator licensure program and will prepare you for appointments as school principals and for positions in area education agencies and state departments of education.
Program Requirements
Non-licensure option
The MA in Educational Leadership also offers an option for those not seeking principal licensure and prepares you for work at organizations that do not require licensure or endorsements, such as governmental agencies or non-profit organizations. For more information about the non-licensure option, please email anne-sparks@uiowa.edu.
Clinical Experiences
As part of the Master’s Degree with Principal Licensure you will participate in field-based experiences that take place in a local school or educational agency setting. They are designed to bridge the gap, and provide balance, between theory and practice, and between academic courses and the practical application of material contained in the academic courses.
Admission and Application
Application Deadlines:
- Fall semester – July 1 (April 15 for international students)
- Spring semester – December 1 (October 1 for international students)
- Summer session – April 30 (March 1 for international students)
- A bachelor’s degree from a Regionally Accredited American College or University, or an equivalent degree from another country as determined by the Office of Admissions
- Undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better on a four-point scale
- English Proficiency Requirements (international applicants)
- Evidence of academic ability and professional promise
- *At least 3 years of classroom teaching in a K-12 school
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Official TOEFL scores may be required for some non-native speakers of English
- Answer each question in 500 words or less:
a. Please describe why you want to be a principal or district leader. Why is the leadership program at the University of Iowa a good match for you?
b. Graduate school will be a major time commitment. Please discuss specific strategies you plan to use to successfully balance your personal life, your professional life, and the demands of graduate school.
c. Schools are diversifying across the state and the UI program aims to create leaders who focus on social justice. Please explain why social justice is important to you.
d. The UI program will prepare you to be an instructional leader. What is the best way to prepare students to succeed and reach district and statewide expectations? What does this mean for students who may not be prepared academically? - *Submit three letters from individuals who can speak to your promise as a leader. One letter should be from your current district superintendent. One letter should be from your current principal, or equivalent. If you are not currently employed as an educator, you may request letters from previous administrators who know your promise as a leader, and please explain your situation in your answer to Question 1a (see above).
- Review the Iowa Board of Education’s Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics. Please reflect on your own ethics as you answer the following questions:
a. On which social media sites do you have an account (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn, other)?
b. Is there anything posted on any of those accounts that would cause you concern as a future administrator? If so, what?
c. Have you ever been placed on a remediation or intensive assistance plan? If so, please explain.
d. Is there anything else we should know about you?
Apply Now
Please review the required supplemental documents above before starting the general graduate application. To begin the application process, set up an account with an existing email address and password
News
UI College of Education’s online programs move up 14 spots in latest rankings
The University of Iowa College of Education’s online academic graduate programs have earned national recognition and are now ranked among the best in the country.
Contact Us
Application questions can be directed to: Anne Sparks, 319-335-2146, anne-sparks@uiowa.edu.
We look forward to receiving your application!
For more information about the non-licensure option, please email anne-sparks@uiowa.edu.