Educational Psychology, Foundations & Leadership Studies
Here to help you learn. And lead.
Are you just beginning your journey toward teaching at the early childhood, elementary, middle school or high school levels? Or are you an experienced educator, looking to advance toward principalship or superintendency? Perhaps you want to fill the critical need for school psychologists or have a specific interest in leading and guiding in the world of student affairs.
As the Department of Educational Psychology, Foundations, and Leadership Studies (EPFLS), we’re here to help fulfill your goals. And so much more.
School Leaders
About 4 in 10 of current Iowa school administrators are UNI graduates.
Connections Across State
Special initiatives within the Institute for Educational Leadership will touch a majority of school board members and administrators across Iowa.
Supporting Teacher Ed
EPFLS faculty engage with all UNI teacher education students through their contributions to the professional core sequence.
Undergraduate Education
Social & Psychological Foundations
If your dream is to be a teacher, EPFLS faculty contribute to a framework of understanding and preparation for you through several classes within the professional core sequence of coursework. Learn about human development, learning and motivation, measurement and research and the history, sociology and philosophy of education.
Educational Studies Minor
Faculty from seven departments across campus help you explore how learning, education and society intersect. Led by EPFLS professor Anthony Gabriele, non-teacher education students gain from this broad introduction to educational policy and issues.
Graduate Education
A foundation for leadership
An estimated 30 percent of Iowa’s school administrators are graduates of one of our educational leadership programs. By enrolling in a UNI program, you get access to faculty who lead from experience and share a commitment to educational integrity, ethics and lifelong learning. All within a primarily online format that affords you the flexibility practicing professionals need.
Principalship MAE
Principalship ASC
Superintendency Certificate
For International Educators
Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership
Impacting higher ed
Helping others solve problems and accomplish goals is at the heart of careers in postsecondary student affairs. This growing program is an online master's program meant to advance in a career which promises truly meaningful work, along with an online intensive study area at the doctoral level.
Postsecondary Student Affairs MA
Doctoral Studies in Student Affairs
Meeting a critical need
A foundation for leadership
An estimated 30 percent of Iowa’s school administrators are graduates of one of our educational leadership programs. By enrolling in a UNI program, you get access to faculty who lead from experience and share a commitment to educational integrity, ethics and lifelong learning. All within a primarily online format that affords you the flexibility practicing professionals need.
Principalship MAE
Principalship ASC
Superintendency Certificate
For International Educators
Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership
Impacting higher ed
Helping others solve problems and accomplish goals is at the heart of careers in postsecondary student affairs. This growing program is an online master's program meant to advance in a career which promises truly meaningful work, along with an online intensive study area at the doctoral level.
Postsecondary Student Affairs MA
Doctoral Studies in Student Affairs
Meeting a critical need
Helping Grow the Profession
As a licensed school psychologist and associate professor, EPFLS' Nikki Skaar is laser-focused on the need for school psychologists in districts across the state -- before and, certainly, after a pandemic. While the School Psychology program is proud of the 100 percent placement of its graduates, the need goes beyond those numbers. But with a "grow your own" program with two Iowa area education agencies that she and colleagues helped secure grant funding for, progress is being made to increase the number of school psychologists in these areas by 20 percent over a five-year period.
Creating knowledge through research
From a career spanning math teacher to district administrator, Matt Townsley developed a strong appreciation for mentorship, something he carries into his role as part of the educational leadership faculty. In this role, in addition to supporting future school leaders, he leans into a scholarly focus on grading practices -- specifically, standards-based grading -- which adds author and speaker to his credentials.
Learning & Leading with Character
EPFLS professor Mary Sult guides the educational outreach of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL). This includes annual conferences in partnership with the Iowa Superintendents Finance and Leadership Consortium over the past 20 years. The Learning and Leading with Character program supports educational leaders across the state, particularly in rural districts. Focused on ethical, character-driven leadership, it’s a model being shared nationally and internationally.