When does this program begin and end?

The program will start in Fall or Spring, depending on which cohort you are in. Student teaching will be done in the Spring or Fall 3 years later with graduation in that same semester. If you want to add any additional endorsements (ECE, reading, special education), we offer these as post-BA options on-campus or through Distance Leanring Delivery.

How many credits will each semester be?

The UNI 2 + 2 program is considered a part time program. Each semester will consist of 5-9 credit hours. The exception is the student teaching semester which is full time (12 hours). We will also offer one to three courses in the summer months (May, June & July).

When do I need to apply to UNI?

You can go on-line and register at any time, but the sooner you do so, the better prepared you will be. You should start the admission process the semester BEFORE orientation. https://access.uni.edu/cgi-bin/admissions/ugrad_app.cgi You DO NOT need to include the $40 fee at this time. UNI will bill you later.

What degree will I earn?

You will earn a Bachelor of Arts in education from UNI and be eligible for an Iowa teaching license with an endorsement in elementary education.  Some cohorts of students will have an opportunity to also earn another major or endorsements in other areas. These opportunities will be discussed during the Orientation sessions.

What days and times will the program classes meet?

We offer classes after 4:30 P.M. two nights a week (Monday-Friday) and also some sessions on Saturdays. The specific nights are determined sperarately for each cohort, but we select the same days of the week on which classes will be held. You will always be informed months in advance via the schedule. You will need to travel to UNI for an all day Saturday session once or twice per semester.

Yes, T.E.A.C.H. scholarships are available for UNI students.  Please contact Pam Ellis at T.E.A.C.H. Iowa office 515-331-8000 or 1-800-469-2392

What additional applicable classes can I take at the community college?

At the informational meetings UNI staff will share this information with you and you may look at the 2+2 course schedule for prerequisite courses which need to be completed at your Community College and admission requirements for Teacher Education at UNI. However your Community College adviser should also be able to assist you with this.

When should I take the PPST test?

We strongly encourage you to take and pass the exam as soon as possible. The PPST test needs to be taken and PASSED before you can enroll in UNI Teacher Education courses. These courses are usually offered the second semester of the program. See http://www.uni.edu/teached/students/praxis.shtml for further information on the PPST test. Be sure to prepare before taking the test. Ask your community college advising center where to get assistance.

Can I earn subject matter endorsements?

It is possible to do this, for example: Students could obtain the Art K-8 endorsement that would allow individuals to teach art in kindergarten through grade 8. To do this, candidates could either obtain the endorsement by completing UNI's Art K-8 teaching minor:

Art Minor (K-8)-Teaching Required:
Foundations Program (600:018; 600:019; 600:026; 600:027; 600:040; 600:041) and 600:091; 600:092 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 hours
Elective in art: may include 600:002 or 600:004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 hours
29 hours

OR by completing the Board of Educational Examiners' (BOEE) minimum requirements:

113/114 *Art*. K-8 or 5-12. Completion of 24 semester hours in art to include course work in art history, studio art, and two and three dimensional art.

Since UNI will not offer the art minor courses or any other subject matter courses by distance education, the best option for students is to complete the endorsement based on the BOEE minimum requirements. This option allows people to complete coursework from Iowa community colleges or through GIS from UNI. However, an endorsement completed by BOEE minimum requirements is valid in the State of Iowa, but may not be valid out-of-state. If you decide to enroll in UNI's 2+2 program, the Office of the Registrar can evaluate your coursework for the Art K-8 endorsement based on the BOEE minimum requirements. The same is true for other endorsement areas like music, physical education, reading, math, social studies, etc.

Elementary education majors are required to take two math courses, 800:031 Mathematical Reasoning for Teaching I (which should be taken at the community college) and 800:131 Mathematical Reasoning for Teaching II (which must be taken at UNI). If your community college requires a course other than the equivalent of our 800:031 to earn an Associate of Arts Degree, then that course should also be taken. In addition you will need to also take the Math Methods Course 800:134 teaching Math in Elementary School from UNI. The 800:131 and 800:134 will be offered as part of the cohort courses.

What can you tell me about the Early Childhood Education endorsement program?

The post-BA in ECE is on hold. Cohort 2 will be the last one until the program is revised and we have enough faculty to teach the courses.