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. 

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School Leaders

About 1 in 3 current Iowa school administrators are UNI graduates. 

75%

Connections Across State

Special initiatives within the Institute for Educational Leadership will touch a majority of school board members and administrators across Iowa. 

100%

Supporting Teacher Ed

EPFLS faculty engage with all UNI teacher education students through their contributions to the professional core sequence.

Principalship MAE or ASC

Principalship student on computer
An online path to principalship

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.

‌Building a Foundation


‌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.

 

‌Educational Studies Minor

 

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

Principalship candidates doing presentations

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

PSE internships with orientation

Meeting a critical need

With an ongoing 100 percent placement of our graduates, the School Psychology program leading to an EdS is a longtime leader in preparing future professionals to fill a critical need. Led by licensed school psychologists, this program emphasizes practical experience within a curriculum focused on evidence-based interventions and assessment.
School psychology class

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

Principalship candidates doing presentations

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

PSE internships with orientation

Meeting a critical need

With an ongoing 100 percent placement of our graduates, the School Psychology program leading to an EdS is a longtime leader in preparing future professionals to fill a critical need. Led by licensed school psychologists, this program emphasizes practical experience within a curriculum focused on evidence-based interventions and assessment.
School psychology class
Denise Schares
Special Initiatives

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.