School of Education Programs

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.

Program Length: 30-40 months
Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Individuals interested in becoming a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor, or Professional School Counselor.

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.

Program Length: 18-24 months
Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Individuals with an undergraduate degree in any field who would like to 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.

Program Length: 30-42 months
Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Individuals with an undergraduate degree in any field who would like to transition into the field of education as a kindergarten or elementary school teacher.

BLUE—Building leaders in Urban Education. The MSE: Instructional Leadership & Teaching Practices or 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.

Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Partnership with Des Moines Public Schools only. Non-BLUE contract DMPS teachers and instructional coaches looking for ways to integrate and learn more about effective teaching models, methods and strategies with an equity and urban lens.

For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the Master of Science in Educational Leadership (MSE: EDL) program is an excellent choice.

There are three pathways to complete the MSE: EDL program: 

• Traditional Licensure
• Non-Licensure
• Accelerated Licensure

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.

Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Licensed teachers interested in pursuing principle or superintendent licensure or expanding their knowledge on school-wide systems. 

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.

Program Length: 15-24 months
Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Practicing teachers, instructional coaches and leaders who desire a deeper understanding of current literacy research and effective literacy practices. Also, for teachers who are interested in a K-12 Reading Specialist endorsement.

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. 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.

Program Length: 12-24 months
Location: On Campus
Target Audience: Elementary or secondary teachers looking to improve problem- and inquiry-based STEM learning.

The Master of Science in Education: Effective Teaching program is 100% online, while still providing the integral Drake experience. Drake’s School of Education faculty provide an online learning experience that mimics the high-quality in-person classes at the university, with discussion boards to connect you with your fellow students.

The program is a practitioner’s degree focused on improving instructional practices that engage learners and promote academic success. Take classes anywhere, at any time, with six start dates each year. If you’re looking to bring your teaching skills to the next level and increase your earning potential, the MSE in Effective Teaching is for you.

Program Length: 12-24 months
Location: Online
Target Audience: Practicing teachers and instructional coaches looking to strengthen their practice with innovative strategies, current research and application of effective teaching and learning models.

Developed for working professionals, the Ed.D: Educational Leadership 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.

Program Length: 7 semesters
Location: Hybrid – both synchronous online and on-campus courses
Target Audience: EdD degree is intended for those whose interest is in the application of theory and research to affect educational practice.

Courses in the Ph.D: Philosophy in Education 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.

Program Length: 9 semesters
Location: Hybrid - both synchronous online and on-campus courses
Target Audience: PhD in Education is intended for those who are interested in becoming a research scholar in their professional fields.

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepares you for initial teacher certification at the elementary level.

Location: On-Campus
Credits: 120 total credits

Pair the Three and Teach Track with this program to allow you to complete your required coursework a semester early and start teaching sooner.

The Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education prepares you as a middle school or high school teacher.

Location: On-Campus

Pair the Three and Teach Track with this program to allow you to complete your required coursework a semester early and start teaching sooner.

The Bachelor of Science in Disability and Rehabilitation Services is a hands-on, interdisciplinary program preparing students to lead inclusive change in human services, health care, education, and community advocacy.

Location: On-Campus

The Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration (SJUE) seeks to educate culturally responsive teachers and educators to work effectively with all students in urban settings—particularly students of color, working-class students, immigrant students, and students from historically marginalized populations and dispossessed communities.

Drake University offers an undergraduate, interdisciplinary minor in Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) open to all students from any academic major.

LEAD graduates will make significant contributions to Drake and their current and future communities of involvement by exemplifying ethical leadership

The Educational Studies minor is designed for any Drake student who has an interest in education but does not plan to be a teacher. You will learn about the history of teacher education and the educational system of the United States. Supplementing this knowledge, you will have the opportunity to fill out the minor with electives by choosing courses that match your interest in education.

The International Education Minor is designed for any Drake student who does not plan to be a teacher but is interested in education in international contexts. Rooted in the core courses of the teacher education program that leads to teaching licensure, this minor provides recognition of the learning experiences and skill development of students who enrich their education internationally and interculturally, particularly through study abroad or travel seminar programs.

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.

Location: On Campus or Online
Target Audience: Pre-service or current licensed teachers who want to expand their content knowledge.