Welcome
This is Part I of an orientation for
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Middle Level Education
Note: The following information is an organizational tool. It does NOT replace
official documents such as the UNI catalog, Schedule of Classes, advisement
report, UNITED system or Student Information System. Students are responsible
for learning and understanding their program requirements based on official
documents.
Professional Advisors
Jane Bentley-Gadow
Barbara Gager
Location: Schindler, Room #189
Telephone: (319) 273-2751
Advisors meet with students on an appointment basis to
assist with plans of study and scheduling questions.
Please call ahead to schedule an appointment 
Plans (Majors)

Early Childhood Education: Leads to licensure to teach pre-school
through grade 3

Elementary Education: Leads to licensure to teach grades K-6

Middle Level Education Dual Plan: Must be combined with an
elementary or secondary teaching plan; leads to State of Iowa
Middle School Endorsement (grades 5-8)
 For course information, see www.uni.edu/catalog/: 1.) Select
Undergraduate Program Requirements, 2.) select Curriculum
and Instruction, and, 3.) select Plan (Major) of choice.
Endorsements (Minors):
In addition to earning a license valid for a specific teaching level (teaching
major), additional Endorsements may be earned.

Endorsements are issued by the Iowa Dept. of Education on the
recommendation of an institution. To secure the recommendation of UNI, a
student must meet the requirements for teaching in the subject.
Endorsements areas follow:
 Basic Science (K-8), Coaching, Health Ed. (K-8), Literacy (K-8; requires
a 3.0 UNI/Cum GPA), Math (K-8), Modern Languages (K-8), Social
Studies (K-8), Instructional Strategist I (K-8 or 5-12), Instructional
Strategist II (chronological ages 5-21), and Educational Technology (this
subject area does not lead to a state endorsement).
 For course information, see www.uni.edu/catalog/: 1.) Select
Undergraduate Program Requirements, 2.) select Curriculum and
Instruction, and, 3.) select Endorsement/Minor of choice.
Admission to Teacher Education

Requirements to be fully admitted to the Teacher Education
Program (see www.uni.edu/teachered):
 Declare a plan of study
 Have at least 24 hours of credit earned
 File an acceptable application to Office of Teacher Education
 Have a total cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
 Satisfactorily complete Liberal Arts Core (LAC) 1A or equivalent
 Satisfactorily complete LAC 1B or equivalent
 Satisfactorily complete LAC 1C or equivalent
 Pass Praxis Core entrance exam
 Acceptable professional dispositions
Notes: 1.) Criminal history background check required for all
field experiences (see next slide), and, 2.) Use UNITED system
to monitor progress
Criminal History Background
Check for All Field Experiences
 Directions to complete a background check are
found online:
 www.uni.edu/teachered
 Find the heading, “Information for Students”
 Background (SING) checks are a subheading
 After the check is completed, students can print
copies of the document from MyUNIverse (My
Page Tab—Certificate Viewer)
 For questions, go to Schindler 159A, Office of
Teacher Education
Key Resources to Know

Student ID number
 Advisement Report
 MyUNIverse
 UNITED System (students can monitor their individual
progress in Teacher Education)
 Schedule of Classes (online)
 UNI Catalog (online)
 Teacher Education Website
 www.uni.edu/teachered (note links to Information for
Students)
 Plan of Study Check Sheets
 Hard copies available in Schindler #189
Key Meetings to Attend

Advising Meetings—Students are notified through UNI email or
USPS mail
 Freshmen: New Major, Pre-registration & Academic Planning
 Transfer Students: Small Group Transfer Student Meetings

Teacher Education Professional Training Sessions—Visit
www.uni.edu/teachered (also on Facebook) for upcoming dates
 Teacher Education Orientation (Level I)
 Teacher as Change Agent Orientation (Level II Field Experience)
 OSHA
 High Risk Behaviors & Substance Abuse
 Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse
Note: Certificates of completion will post on MyUNIverse under
My Page Tab—Certificate Viewer
Student Responsibility
 Maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA
 Develop a plan to become fully admitted to Teacher Education
within the first two terms at UNI. Tips for success follow:
 1.) File acceptable application to Teacher Education the first
term on campus (Transfer Students may file it prior to
transferring to UNI)
 2.) Successfully pass Praxis during the first year on campus
(Transfer Students—first term or prior to transferring to UNI)
 Utilize Key Resources and attend Key Meetings (see previous
slides) relative to program management and Teacher Education
 Schedule an advising appointment; plan ahead
 Be actively engaged in program and professional development
 Demonstrate professional dispositions
Academic Success

Boost your academic success. Contact:




The Academic Learning Center
ITTC Innovative Teaching & Technology Center
Room: #007/008
Telephone: (319) 273-2361
Email: unialc@uni.edu
Facebook—Reading and Learning Center, UNI
Tutoring services are available for math, reading, and
writing including personal consultations—tutoring
tailored to individual course needs.
Examination Services—Praxis Core
Study and work sessions for Praxis preparation are
available
Quick Guide to Campus Referrals


Learn to navigate the UNI campus system to find answers to
questions. No single office or individual has all the answers; faculty
and staff refer in an effort to put students in touch with specially
trained personnel in a given area.
Note: The online Directory (see UNI home page) is an essential
tool. A list of key contacts/offices follow:
 Admissions Office (Gilchrist): 319-273-2281 or walk-in
 Registrar’s Office (Gilchrist): 319-273-2241 or walk-in
 Financial Aid Office, Teach Grant, and Scholarship Information
(Gilchrist): 319-273-2700
 Career Services (Gilchrist): 319-273-2083
 Office of Teacher Education (Schindler): 319-273-2265
 Special Education Office (Schindler): 319-273-6061
 Office of Student Field Experiences (Schindler): 319-273-2806
 Record Analyst for Elementary, Early Childhood & Middle Level
(Gilchrist): 319-273-2245 or email cathy.humke@uni.edu
Important Licensure Requirements:
Students must meet State of Iowa licensure
requirements through specific course work. The
Co-Directors of Teacher Education have done a
careful review of requirements. The following
Liberal Arts Core (LAC) courses are advised:
 LAC Group 5A Human Geography
 LAC Group 5B Introduction to American Politics
 LAC Group 4A Inquiry into Life Science
 LAC Group 4B Inquiry into Physical Science
 LAC Group 4B Earth Science + Lab
Conclusion

This concludes Part I. Thank you and please revisit
this powerpoint for occasional review.

Part II involves important registration information for
Elementary, Early Childhood and Middle Level
Education Plans. Like Part I, this powerpoint is located
on the COE Advising website:
 www.uni.edu/coe/current-students/collegeeducation-professional-advisors