Welcome to the School of Education graduate programs handbook. This chapter provides the foundations for our programs, from the mission statement of the school, to our principles of community, to information about graduate student rights and responsibilities.

1.1 – School of Education Mission

The School of Education at Iowa State University is committed to engaging in rigorous and socially meaningful research, preparing leaders and practitioners across the P-20 continuum that support rich and equitable learning opportunities for all students, and supporting public education as a cornerstone of a healthy, vibrant, and just society. We strive to be a national leader in educational theory, policy, and practice, and to honor the land-grant tradition and the broader mission of the university to create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.

1.2 – School of Education Community

The School of Education strives to be a welcoming community that values and respects all its members.

1.2.1 – Principles of Community

The School of Education has adopted the Iowa State University Principles of Community adopted in 2007.

  • Respect: We seek to foster an open-minded understanding among individuals, organizations and groups. We support this understanding through outreach, increasing opportunities for collaboration, formal education programs and strategies for resolving disagreement.
  • Purpose: We are encouraged to be engaged in the university community. Thus, we strive to build a genuine community that promotes the advancement of knowledge, cooperation and leadership.
  • Cooperation: We recognize that the mission of the university is enhanced when we work together to achieve the goals of the university. Therefore, we value each member of the Iowa State University community for their insights and efforts, collective and individual, to enhance the quality of campus life.
  • Richness of diversity: We recognize and cherish the richness of diversity in our university experience. Furthermore, we strive to increase the diversity of ideas, cultures and experiences throughout the university community.
  • Freedom from discrimination: We recognize that we must strive to overcome historical and divisive biases in our society. Therefore, we commit ourselves to create and maintain a community in which all students, staff, faculty and administrators can work together in an atmosphere free from discrimination, and to respond appropriately to all acts of discrimination.
  • Honest and respectful expression of ideas: We affirm the right to and the importance of a free exchange of ideas at Iowa State University within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect. We work together to promote awareness of various ideas through education and constructive strategies to consider and engage in honest disagreements.

1.2.2 – Diversity

The School of Education recognizes and respects the richness of diversity within and beyond our community. These views are consistent with the goals of the ISU Office of Diversity and Inclusion

  • Our aim is to promote critical thinking, the responsible management of people, professional skills development, innovation in research, teaching and learning, and the constructive expression of divergent viewpoints.

1.2.3 – International Students

The School of Education is home to many international students. We welcome and appreciate the opportunity to learn with and from you! We encourage you to work carefully with the Iowa State University International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) on matters involving your immigration and/or visa status. The mission of ISSO is to provide immigration and cross-cultural expertise to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all international students throughout their university experience. Because laws and regulations governing legal presence in the U.S. change frequently, it is important to consult the ISSO for the latest information and to understand how it applies to your individual situation. Stop by the office periodically, check the ISSO website frequently, and carefully read the ISSO Weekly Newsletter and all the ISSO e-mails you receive.

1.3 – Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities

At ISU, rights and responsibilities for graduate students are based upon the assumption that undertaking graduate study presupposes a greater measure of maturity and commitment to the academic community than that expected of undergraduate students. Graduate students are students, apprentices to the professions, and, when on assistantship, employees. Each of these roles has its own rights and responsibilities. Please refer to chapter 9 of the ISU Graduate College handbook for more details.

1.4 – Program of Study Faculty and Student Responsibilities

A graduate student’s program of study committee represents the group of faculty members who guide the student through the program, including selection of coursework and preparation for and development of the culminating project (creative component, thesis, dissertation). The ISU Graduate College handbook provides guidance for the responsibilities of this committee and the student in section 6.4.