About the SOE

The mission of the SOE is to be a diverse community of learners who work collaboratively to create an equitable culture of excellence, inquiry and renewal. All undergraduate and graduate programs and services are based upon three guiding principles:

• Belief in Academic Reflection
• Collaborative Learning
• Social Justice

Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate degrees are available for both elementary and secondary education in a wide variety of content areas. The SOE offers a strong professional program with a solid foundation in the arts and sciences, providing knowledge and perspective for disciplines taught in schools. Within their educational program, students master a variety of methods of classroom instruction and assessment in courses that can lead to teacher certification in any state. Drake students are also empowered to apply their learning through classroom experiences in some of Iowa's top schools in all four years of the program. Drake students document their achievement of state and national standards by creating and disseminating electronic portfolios.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate level degrees include masters, specialist, and doctoral work in the areas of effective teaching, educational leadership, adult training and development, higher education and counseling. All classes are offered in an evening or weekend delivery format during the academic year and summer term. Programs at extended campus locations are the same programs as those offered on campus in Des Moines. In most instances, students can complete a degree in two years as a member of a cohort group. Students who have earned a Bachelor's Degree in a field other than education, can earn a Master's Degree and an Iowa Teaching Certificate in two specialized methods programs: Master of Arts in Teaching (secondary) or Master of Science in Teaching (elementary).

In response to the re-certification/license renewal requirements for teachers, counselors and school administrators, an extensive Continuing Education department is operated by the School of Education. Each year, a wide variety of workshops, seminars and non-degree courses are offered to students in live and electronic formats.

Projects and Grants

Special Projects and Grants are offered through the School of Education in the following areas:

• Urban Education: a five part program that includes a multi-million dollar federally funded partnership between Drake, the Des Moines Public Schools and Des Moines Area Community College. By providing scholarships, advisement, mentoring and educational support, over 40 individuals from underrepresented populations will become licensed teachers employed by DMPS immediately after graduation. In addition, there is a full time professor who directs Urban Education within the SOE and with his guidance, undergraduate and graduate courses and themes have been added to the curriculum. In addition the SOE has forced a partnership with the Middleton Children's Rights Center at the Legal Clinic for research and fields experiences in the juvenile justice system.
• Head Start/Early Head Start: comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age five, pregnant women and their families. Working with the Des Moines Public schools and agencies in surrounding communities, over 1,000 children are enrolled in programs to improve health and school readiness.
• National Rehabilitation Institute: a thirty-year-old program funded through grants from the Federal Department of Education and Rehabilitation Services. Scholarships and stipends are offered to students interested in pursuing degrees in Rehabilitation Administration and Rehabilitation Counseling.
• Resource Center for Issues in Education: a project serving over 120 Iowa schools also known as the Iowa Behavioral Alliance. Through teacher training and school-community development, stronger learning communities are developed and maintained for improved attendance, behavior and educational achievement.
• Online learning initiative: with special funding from Drake University, the SOE has developed a robust form of online learning for teachers who are seeking an endorsement in the area of Gifted and Talented Education or Middle School Teaching. The model includes an online professor, power-point presentation, audio and web links along with video samples of best practice.