UNI’s College of Education
T
he University of Northern Iowa has more than a 130-year history in teacher education and is the leader in
pre-K through 12 education and education-related issues in Iowa. The college is comprised of five departments
and the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services. Programs lead to Bachelor of Arts, Master
of Arts, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Science in Athletic Training, Specialist in Education and Doctor of
Education degrees. Well known for preparing teachers, the College of Education also prepares school psychologists,
principals, superintendents, early childhood education providers, environmental health specialists, athletic trainers,
professionals for non-profit organizations and university faculty members. For more information about departments
and programs or to inquire about continuing education or professional development opportunities, visit
www.uni.edu/coe or contact the dean’s office at 319-273-2717.
Points of distinction:
n Serving Iowa in one year, College of Education (COE) faculty and
students contributed $24,494,784 to Iowa’s government and
non-profit organizations. This service impact includes student
teaching, student and faculty outreach, grants and contracts,
volunteer hours and professional training.
nU
NI’s Department of Special Education places nearly 100 percent
of its graduates in jobs in Iowa and other states.
n More than 12,000 alumni educators live in Iowa; nearly one
quarter of Iowa’s teachers and one third of Iowa’s superintendents
and principals are UNI graduates.
nU
NI places 100 percent of music education majors.
n COE graduate programs rank among the best in the nation,
according to the 2012 edition of “Best Graduate Schools,”
published by U.S. News & World Report.
n Of Iowa’s 32 teacher education programs, UNI’s program is the
largest, typically graduating 50 percent more teachers each year
than the next largest program.
n The College of Education has approximately 34,000 alumni around
the world.
n In a typical year, UNI places more than 1,800 students in field
experiences in preparation for teaching.
n UNI places approximately 500 student teachers in 40-60 Iowa
counties every year; that translates into 500 new teachers every
year.
College of
Education
www.uni.edu/coe
n The Iowa Math and Science Education Partnership (IMSEP) is a
state funded project that will improve math and science student
performance, attract and retain more math and science teachers
and promote statewide collaboration and cooperation. IMSEP is
now a part of the Iowa Governor’s new STEM Advisory Council,
charged with growing Iowa’s commitment to STEM through
education and economic and workforce initiatives.
nU
NI has certified more students in Nonprofit Management through
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics) than
any of the other 64 institutions across the country.
n Since 1991, at least 19 recipients of the Iowa School Administrator
of the Year award received their administrative preparation from
UNI’s College of Education.
n I n the past six years, UNI’s College of Education has secured more
than $45 million in federal, state and special contracts and grants.
n I n the past two years, the Center for Early Education in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CEESTEM) reached
almost 1,200 teachers and childcare providers in 32 Iowa counties
across the state.
Educate,
Serve and
Lead
Camp Adventure™ Child and Youth Services offers
UNI students the opportunity to work with children
and youth in diverse education and activity settings
at 150 sites around the world.
The Human Performance Center (HPC) provides
facilities for programs in athletic training—the
largest undergraduate program in Iowa. HPC also
offers enhanced medical services in the areas of
orthopedic rehabilitation and sports injuries in
partnership with area health providers.
The Institute for Educational Leadership directs
the Iowa Superintendents Finance and Leadership
Consortium (ISFLC), which is a professional
development program for Iowa superintendents,
aspiring superintendents, board secretaries and
business managers. Since 1997, the ISFLC has
served more than 1,100 Iowa educational leaders
representing every school district and every county
in Iowa.
Instructional Technology Center offers an
Instructional Technology Facilitator Certificate
to pre-K through 12 teachers and administrators.
Many districts are now eliminating technology
coordinators due to lack of funding, yet teachers
are still expected to integrate technology. This
certificate is targeted at those who want the
expertise but do not wish or need a master’s degree.
The Statewide Research & Development School is
a collaboration between the University of Northern
Iowa, University of Iowa, Iowa State University
and the Iowa Department of Education. The school
aims to raise and sustain the level of all Iowa pre-K
through 12 students’ educational attainment and
personal development, enhance the preparation
and professional competence of Iowa educators
and focus on research to meet Iowa’s changing
educational needs.
The Board of Regents approved the Iowa Teacher
Intern License (ITIL) program, a collaborative
effort of Iowa’s public universities. ITIL will provide
a nontraditional teacher preparation program for
professionals wishing to enter the field from other
careers.
College of
Education
www.uni.edu/coe
Funded by an endowment from the Richard O.
Jacobson Foundation, the Richard O. Jacobson
Center for Comprehensive Literacy works with
schools to improve literacy achievement for all
students. To accomplish this goal, the Jacobson
Center provides preparation for literacy coaches and
support for administrators through the Partnerships
in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL) model. Literacy
interventions provided in this model address a
broad range of literacy competencies, including
early intervention with Reading Recovery.
The Jacobson Center also incorporates the
Professional Development School (PDS) courses for
undergraduate literacy education majors with the
PCL model. The students in the PDS literacy courses
work in schools to implement the PCL model,
and engage in professional development and
instructional practices in these schools.
The National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)
is the premier national clearinghouse concerning
the creation, renovation and maintenance of safe
play areas for children. NPPS provides technical
assistance through its website and an 800 hotline
for individuals, groups and organizations nationwide
as they strive to upgrade and improve outdoor play
spaces for children. NPPS also offers online training
programs as well as workshops and safety schools to
groups and organizations throughout the U.S.
The Professional Development School partners
UNI teacher education students with local schools
in activities far beyond the student teacher/
cooperating teacher concept. Benefits of the PDS
model include better prepared teachers, increased
student achievement and professional development
opportunities, and increased retention of PDS
graduates in the teaching profession.
University Training Center for the Reading
Recovery Program of Iowa is a nationwide program
in which teachers provide daily intensive one-onone reading instruction to first-grade students
reading below average. Approximately 75 percent of
students who have completed the full 12 to 20 weeks
of instruction can meet grade-level expectations in
reading and writing.
Center for Early Education in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (CEESTEM) is a
federally funded program supporting early childhood
educators in creating hands-on, interactive
classroom activities that encourage young children
to develop and use scientific inquiry processes to
explore and better understand their environments.
In addition to contributing to increasing the number
of students who choose to pursue careers in STEM
fields, CEESTEM also will contribute to raising the
scientific literacy of all students, including those
who don’t choose careers in STEM fields.
Minorities in the Leadership of Education (MILE),
for aspiring minority educational leaders in Iowa,
focuses on the preparation of future pre-K through
12 principals, superintendents and doctorate
degrees in educational leadership. It builds upon
the belief that while the demographics of Iowa’s
student population are drastically changing, the
demographics of Iowa’s school leaders are not
following that trend. MILE strives to increase the
percentage of Iowa’s minority school leaders, and
help bring a level of cultural competency to all
school districts.
Iowa Teacher Quality Partnership (ITQP) is a
partnership with the Iowa Department of Education,
Stanford University and UCLA, and awarded by the
U.S. Department of Education. ITQP’s goals are to
raise student achievement and improve the quality
of teaching. ITQP’s focus is to reform traditional
university teacher preparation and improve learning
and achievement in high-need schools. Particular
attention is given to innovation and technology in
Iowa’s classrooms to help teachers and pre-service
teachers use technology to improve effective
teaching practices.
The Center for Disability Studies in Literacy,
Language and Learning collaborates with families
of children with significant disabilities, educators,
community and regional stakeholders and national
experts. Center personnel, which includes faculty
from Special Education and Communication Science
and Disorders, explore, promote and support the
literacy and communication development of children
with significant disabilities. The center emphasizes
ongoing professional development, innovative
research, advocacy and systems change to create,
support and sustain inclusive learning communities.
The Iowa Center on Health Disparities is the
state’s leading academic organization devoted
to promoting health equity among immigrant,
refugee, minority, rural, and other diverse and
underserved populations in the state. This awardwinning organization conducts research, consulting,
education, and training with hospitals, schools, law
enforcement, social service agencies, non-profits,
city governments, private businesses and other
organizations striving to promote the wellbeing
of newcomer, ethnic minority and rural farm
populations in Iowa.
The UNI Child Development Center (CDC) provides
full-day, inclusive childcare for children birth to
five years and also offers an after school program
for Malcolm Price Laboratory School students
in grades K through six. It provides outreach to
educators locally, statewide and nationally as well
as mentoring and leadership opportunities for
postsecondary students. The CDC is a level 5 for
Iowa’s Quality Rating System and accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young
Children.