Overview
Students gain hands-on experience using software tools, visualizing data, and adapting to emerging methods. Through courses in descriptive and inferential statistics, students learn how to communicate analytic results clearly and ethically.
While data analytics programs exist across campus, Iowa’s new certificate is the only one designed specifically for education settings. Unlike traditional analytics coursework, this program emphasizes the quality and measurement properties of assessment data, the context of real K–12 classrooms and schools, and the communication of results to audiences such as families, colleagues, and administrators.
Coursework
Eligibility
The 18-semester-hour certificate is open to any University of Iowa undergraduate student.
Learning Methodology
The coursework is organized into three integrated components, including working with data, statistics in education, and assessment and applications.
Students gain hands-on experience using software tools, visualizing data, and adapting to emerging methods. Through courses in descriptive and inferential statistics, students learn how to communicate analytic results clearly and ethically.
Course Requirements
The undergraduate Certificate in Education Data Analytics requires a minimum of 18 s.h. of courses distributed across the three core components: working with data, statistics in education, and assessment and applications.
Students must maintain a grade-point average of 2.0 or greater in work for the certificate. Up to 6 s.h. of transfer credit may be counted toward certificate requirements with the approval of the certificate coordinator.
The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.
Some of the certificate courses may have prerequisites not included in the certificate requirements. Students should select courses for which they meet the prerequisites.
News
College of Education launches new undergraduate certificate in education data analytics
Beginning Spring 2026, the University of Iowa College of Education will launch its first undergraduate certificate in Education Data Analytics (EDA), equipping future educators with essential skills for interpreting and using data in today’s digital classrooms. Developed by Educational Measurement and Statistics faculty, the 18-semester-hour program focuses on real K–12 contexts, data quality, and effective communication—filling a growing need for data-literate teachers. Open to all undergraduates, the certificate prepares graduates to make stronger instructional decisions and serve as valuable data resources in their future schools.
Contact Us
Stephen Dunbar
Hieronymus-Feldt Professor of Educational Measurement
319-335-5561
steve-dunbar@uiowa.edu
Mark McDermott
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Educator Preparation
319-335-5591
mark-a-mcdermott@uiowa.edu
Questions?
For general admissions questions, please email ask-education@uiowa.edu