Expand your skills and take your career to the next level.
Select a category below to filter through SOE graduate programs based on your career goals.
The Endorsement-Only Programs are designed for certified teachers in pursuit of additional Sate of Iowa Teaching Endorsements.
Endorsements are offered in both K-8 (elementary) and 5-12 (secondary) teaching levels.
The Master of Science in Counseling is a CACREP accredited degree with specializations in clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and school counseling. This competitive and flexible program prepares students to enter the high demand counseling profession. Graduates obtain licenses to practice within weeks of completing internships and nearly all students are offered employment as counselors before graduation. Students also have the choice to complete multiple specializations and obtain a license in two areas.
The Drake University’s Masters of Science in Leadership (MSL) program is designed to serve emerging and aspiring leaders in business, industry, and non-profit organizations who are interested in developing their leadership ability or developing the leadership capacity in others.
Join other working professionals, from different industries and disciplines, in an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
It is never too late to become a teacher. No matter your background, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree will help you transition into the field of education as a middle school or high school teacher.
It is never too late to become a teacher. No matter your background, the Master of Science in Teaching (MST) degree will help you transition into the field of education as a kindergarten or elementary school teacher.
Drake's program is one of a small number of programs that allows you to get an elementary teaching certificate at the master's degree level.
BLUE—Building leaders in Urban Education. The BLUE program is a partnership between the Drake University School of Education and Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS). This program is designed to develop teachers to meet the needs of a diverse student population, focusing on building a strong foundation in equity and cultural proficiency.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the Master of Science in Educational Leadership program is an excellent choice.
The program prepares teachers for a variety of leadership positions, including principals, associate/assistant principals, activities/athletic director, deans of students, curriculum coordinators or Area Education Agency consultants. Drake's reputation for quality extends across the state of Iowa, where nearly 70 percent of school districts have at least one administrator who holds a Drake degree.
Drake’s 100% online Master of Science in Education in Effective Teaching is designed to prepare busy, working educators to implement the innovative teaching methods needed to engage learners for academic success. Drake’s Effective Teaching mater’s program will develop abilities both inside and outside of the classroom. Graduates of this program are prepared to rise to the level of teacher leader or master teacher, as well as take on roles as literacy coaches, reading specialists, or curriculum developers.
MSE graduates are prepared to rise to the level of teacher leader or master teacher, as well as take on roles as literacy coaches, reading specialists, or curriculum developers.
Drake University offers a Master’s degree in Literacy Education with optional endorsements in K-8 Reading, 5-12 Reading, or K-12 Reading Specialist that can be included as part of the coursework.
The program is designed for teachers and other educators who desire to lead literacy initiatives, become literacy coaches, develop curriculum, serve as master teachers and learn new strategies and techniques to assist students struggling in the classroom.
Drake’s Master of Science in Special Education (MSE) is specifically designed for those who are currently teaching and seeking a graduate degree. Our interactive, collaborative classes are designed for those currently teaching and are looking for additional strategies to help meet the needs of their students.
This authentic, hands-on approach enables teacher practitioners to immediately apply what they learn in their classrooms. Completion of the MSE will not only help you become a well-informed teacher, it will also provide you with the skills necessary to advance your career and to take on additional leadership roles.
The only master’s degree of its kind in the state of Iowa, Drake’s Master's degree in STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) allows teachers to gain proficiency in both knowledge of fundamental STEM content and STEM teaching strategies that get results.
The program blends research-based concepts with the realities of K-12 teaching, offering a strong focus on applying knowledge back in the classroom.
The result? Proven success. Recent data show that teachers who complete courses in the program are measurably better able to engage their students in effective science and math instruction.
This authentic, hands-on approach enables teacher practitioners to immediately apply what they learn in their classrooms. Completion of the MSE will not only help you become a well-informed teacher, it will also provide you with the skills necessary to advance your career and to take on additional leadership roles.
The Specialist in Education program is ideal for individuals who have completed a master’s degree and are interested in additional expertise in literacy, English Language Learner, or STEM research and instruction.
Courses in the EdD general program emphasize the practical study of leadership, theory, ethics, technology, program evaluation, and research methodologies. Drake’s program is adaptable to a number of leadership-level careers. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in weekend formats, so you can continue to work full time. The cohort program can be completed in as little as three years (two years of coursework listed below, with one year or more to complete a dissertation or capstone project).
Unique to the EdD degree is the option of pursuing and completing a capstone project in place of a dissertation. The capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community.
For educators with a master’s degree planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers an Ed.D in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. EdD students have the option of completing a dissertation or a capstone project. Unique to the EdD degree, the capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers an Ed.D in Superintendent Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. EdD students have the option of completing a dissertation or a capstone project. Unique to the EdD degree, the capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
Courses in the PhD general program emphasize the study of education, theory, ethics, technology, evaluation and assessment, as well as research methodologies. In the final year of the program, PhD students work closely with their faculty mentor in an apprenticeship. While focused on enhancing and expanding the PhD student’s research skills and knowledge, faculty mentors work with their mentees to identify and design apprenticeship activities based on the PhD student’s professional goals and discipline.
For educators with a master’s degree planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers a PhD in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. PhD students are required to complete a dissertation. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers a PhD in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. PhD students are required to complete a dissertation. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.