Educator Preparation
If you’re made to teach or preparing for related school roles, the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at the University of Northern Iowa provides the framework for success.
In addition to the undergraduate programs within UNI Teacher Education, the EPP ensures administrative oversight of all graduate education programs which require licensure by the Iowa Department of Education. In total, it encompasses:
- Academic offerings across all four colleges and in collaboration with the Graduate College and Online and Distance Education.
- 20+ undergraduate teaching majors and minors
- Seven graduate endorsement, certificate or master's programs in superintendency, principalship, school psychology, school library studies; school counseling, school social work (NEW Fall 2022), and speech pathology.
- More than 200 faculty
This expansive program:
- meets or exceeds state requirements for licensure;
- gets students in the field, early and often; and,
- offers an unmatched scope of undergraduate and graduate majors and minors leading to licensure.
Leading Pipeline
For Iowa schools, preparing 50% of teacher librarians and up to 100% of school psychologists.
97%
Placement for undergraduates, who are teaching or continuing their education six months post-graduation.
Top Ranked
In 2021, "U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools for Speech-Language Pathology"
School Counseling
In this master’s program for both non-teachers and teachers, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to implement a comprehensive developmental program in K-12 settings that meets National Standards for School Counseling criteria.
School Library Studies
As a major resource for Iowa’s school districts, our online teacher librarian program gives you options to become a K-12 teacher librarian and/or qualify for one or more of the Iowa teacher librarian endorsements (K-8, 5-12 or K-12).
Principalship
Learn from award-winning faculty and take the next step in your administrative career with options for either certification or completion of a master’s degree in this primarily online program.
Vision, Mission, Beliefs
Vision
The UNI Educator Preparation Program seeks to be an influential source of excellence in knowledge and practice in education. We strive to inspire educators to effectively 1) apply content and pedagogy in practical settings, 2) navigate changing social and political contexts to promote social justice, and 3) demonstrate competence in leadership, advocacy and collaboration.
Mission
The UNI Educator Preparation Program provides an authentic and challenging education that empowers candidates to serve as reflective, professional educators who advocate for students, schools, communities and the profession in a dynamic and changing world.
-
Candidates must develop strong skills in order to effectively collaborate with all stakeholders for student learning.
Beliefs
- UNI Educator Preparation Program professionals believe the following are key components of a strong educator preparation program:
- Candidates must deeply understand and reflect on their content and pedagogy.
- Candidates must engage in rich, purposeful and authentic field-based experiences to develop appropriate dispositions and practices.
- Candidates have a responsibility to understand historical, social, cultural and political contexts and how they impact education.
- Candidates must understand the importance of diversity and equity and engage in opportunities to promote social justice.
- Candidates must develop competence in the skills and dispositions that allow them to engage in effective leadership and advocacy.
- Candidates must develop strong skills in order to effectively collaborate with all stakeholders for student learning.