Iowa State was the only credit-granting educational administration program in the state to receive full approval by the State Board of Education last month.

The educational administration program prepares students for administrative roles in K-12 school districts and education agencies, such as principals or superintendents.

Dr. Thomas Alsbury, assistant professor in educational leadership and policy studies, said the board made specific mention of some of the classes offered in Iowa State’s program that are not offered in other institution’s programs.

One class, titled School Systems as Learning Cultures, is unique because of its emphasis on building a culture in the school rather than strictly focusing on administration and business.

Alsbury said the Preparation for Educational Leadership Program takes students beyond balancing budgets and teaches the tools necessary for a well-rounded principle.

Alsbury said he believes another reason the board applauded the program was its outlined syllabi, which is set in advance to keep the entire program running in sequence. A syllabus is created and set in place for each class, rather than by each professor, in order to assure all students meet the Iowa Standards for School Leaders.

Students in the educational administration program have already earned bachelor’s degrees and must apply to the program. Student applications are judged primarily on undergraduate grades and recommendations from principals of the school or schools the applicant has worked in. Once a student is accepted, he or she is assigned to a cohort group in the area. A cohort group is a group of students who go through the program together.

The program is taught on the ISU campus, as well as in Des Moines, Oskaloosa and Mason City. All classes are in the evenings or on Saturdays and many participants work full-time as teachers while attending.

“We’re out serving the state of Iowa where there’s need,” said Don Hackmann, associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies.

Faculty in the program are based out of Iowa State and drive to the location of the classes they teach if they are not in Ames.

Hackmann said students stay with the cohort group throughout the program, which enables them to build on their previous learning. It also allows the students to get to know the people within their cohort and have a network of administrators to call on when they finish the program and begin work.

In addition to classroom activities, students must complete a portfolio and 400 hours of field time with an acting principal as a sort of internship.