The University of Northern Iowa offers degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduate major program requirements are listed within the Program Requirements section by department . At the undergraduate level, the University of Northern Iowa offers four traditional baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, the Bachelor of Music, and the Bachelor of Science. The external degree of Bachelor of Liberal Studies is also offered by UNI. Major goals in the programs leading to these degrees are the advancement of humane learning and the preparation of all students to cope intelligently, effectively, and reasonably with the complex and changing conditions of life in modern society. To attain these goals, while at the university, students are expected to make significant progress toward:
To achieve these ends, students are obliged to take a variety of courses drawn from among the arts, humanities, philosophy, mathematics, and language, and from among the biological, physical, and social sciences. Concentration in a major field enables students to engage in intensive study, to think for themselves, and to exercise discriminating judgment. It prepares the student for more advanced work if s(he) decides to go on to graduate school, or for immediate employment. This emphasis on the academic program is not to exclude the contributions made by other parts of the university life to the substantial development of a student's personality - social and athletic activities, public speaking and dramatic arts, music, art, public affairs, or other programs.
The desired result of these degree programs is not an individual who conforms to society as it is or sees her/his own vocation within the narrow confines of the day-to-day occupation, but rather a person enriched in mind and spirit and so stimulated that this person will seek with eagerness to contribute to the benefit of the world in which s(he) lives. Such a program is desirable for all students whatever their future professions may be.
All credit hours stated in this catalog, for a program, assume students have appropriate preparatory course work. If a student's preparation is inadequate, additional course work may be necessary and may extend the length of the program and the time required to complete graduation requirements.
For those who plan to become teachers, additional work is required in professional education. This work seeks to enhance the student's interest in and commitment to teaching, to instill loyalty toward the profession, and to encourage the desire for continuous professional growth. The student acquires the skills, techniques, and understanding necessary to good teaching by studying current knowledge concerning the physical, emotional, and mental growth of children and youth, the ways that they learn, and methods for guiding them to reach full potential. As part of her/his preparation, the student explores the mutual relationships and responsibilities of the teacher, the school, and the community.
The prospective teacher must also spend a significant part of her/his time in the area of learning chosen for concentration. The student's mastery of the subject matter of this area, its closely-related fields, and the skills and professional dispositions needed to present it effectively are essential aspects of successful teaching.
The teacher preparation program requires more hours to complete than many of the other programs in order to include the necessary professional work and to approximate, as far as possible in a four-year period, the other major goals previously listed. Students completing the teacher preparation program are strongly encouraged to continue their education beyond the bachelor's degree.
Declaration of Major
Degree Audit/Advisement Report
The declaration of a major is made through the department offering the major. The choice of major should be made as early as possible in the student's university career in order to complete the program and fulfill requirements for graduation. When the major is declared, the student is assigned an advisor in the major department and a Declaration of Curriculum with this information is filed by the student with the Office of the Registrar.
When students have declared a major, they are eligible for a Degree Audit/Advisement Report. This is prepared by the Office of the Registrar and made available to the student on their student portal. Degree audits are accessible via the web at www.uni.edu/pos/ or http://myuniverse.uni.edu.
UNI Plan of Study (POS)
The University of Northern Iowa's Plan of Study (POS) serves as a planning and advising support system for students and advisors. The Plan of Study (POS) was created to help undergraduate students better plan their overall educational experience and to help students graduate as efficiently as possible. The POS is an electronic planning tool to help students think ahead through their entire program and should help students make strategic decisions about the courses they take and when they take them.
This Plan of Study (POS) system brings the degree audit, the official advising document, to the web providing access to undergraduate students and advisors. Major and minor worksheets for both teaching and non teaching are also published online.
The University of Northern Iowa, in response to a student body that is diverse in experiences, talents, expectations, and goals, has developed a "pact" that is designed to assist students in completing an undergraduate degree within four calendar years of their initial freshman enrollment. Students may follow many paths to graduation, with dozens of majors and concentrations offered through five undergraduate colleges. In addition, special programs can be tailored to the needs and interests students bring to the campus or discover once they are here. Students who wish to participate in the four-year graduation plan must average from 16 to 18 credits per semester (one quarter of the applicable credits for their major each year) and will need to make academic and personal choices that will result in graduation within four years.
UNI's four-year graduation plan is called UNI Grad Pact. Students who enroll as freshmen with well-defined interests, in "pact-approved" majors, and who want to complete their undergraduate study as expeditiously as possible, are assured of being able to enroll in courses allowing graduation in four calendar years. UNI Grad Pact is an agreement between the university and those students who choose to participate in the plan.
Students accept responsibility for monitoring their own progress toward degrees and for making choices that will allow them to graduate within four calendar years. The university is responsible for maintaining systems of advising so that students can track their progress, and agrees to provide the needed courses or their equivalents.
The university continues to encourage breadth and exploration as essential parts of a university education. UNI Grad Pact is designed to assure that students are carefully guided in their course choices while still benefiting from the rich educational opportunities offered by the university. Those students who conclude that UNI Grad Pact does not meet their academic and/or personal goals are encouraged to develop, in consultation with their academic advisor, a plan and timetable for completing the courses in their major that will allow them to achieve their individual academic, career, professional, and personal aspirations. Those students who do not participate in the plan will still benefit from descriptions of recommended patterns of progress toward degrees and enhanced advising services that will be available to all students.
If the student meets all the conditions of the four-year plan but is unable to graduate due to the unavailability of a course, the university will offer one of the following:
These procedures will be the exclusive remedy for the four-year plan (UNI Grad Pact) agreement. The university is under no obligation to provide one of these adjustments unless the student submits a written request for an accommodation to the Provost prior to the beginning of classes in the last term of the student's four-year plan.
Two programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree are available.
Bachelor of Arts - Teaching Program - 120 semester hours
Note: Programs requiring more than 120 semester hours to graduate (see major requirements) are identified and may include up to 144 semester hours.
On this program students are prepared as:Bachelor of Arts - 120 semester hours
Note: Programs requiring more than 120 semester hours (see major requirements) are identified.
On this program students are prepared in the following areas:
Category 4. Natural Science and Technology
(a) Life Sciences - 3 hrs.
(b) Physical Sciences - 3 hrs.
Category 5. Social Science
(a) Group A (1 course) - 2-3 hrs.
(b) Group B (1 course) - 2-3 hrs.
One course from Group A, B, or C is required. The student will be held to courses required in the remaining Liberal Arts Core categories.
Community College Partnerships. The A.A. Degree from all Iowa community colleges fulfills the majority of the Liberal Arts requirements at UNI. In addition, other partnerships, also known as articulation agreements, have been developed between UNI and all Iowa community colleges for some UNI baccalaureate degree programs. These agreements show specific courses that need to be taken at each school to complete a program. If available, an articulation agreement typically results in the quickest route to graduation for a transfer student.
These partnerships are often known as 2+2 programs, although the time to complete a degree may take more than four years depending on individual circumstances. Contact the UNI Office of Admissions to find out if an agreement is available in a specific area of interest.
In certain instances, the UNI portion of a 2+2 program is offered at the community college. For example, several B.A. degree programs are offered on the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Carroll, Iowa for students who are place bound or career changing. These include B.A. degrees in elementary education teaching, early childhood education endorsement, and technology management/general business.
When offered on-site, the second two years are taught by UNI faculty through a mix of delivery systems including on-site classes, classes over the Iowa Communication Network, or Web-based course work. All 2+2 programs offer the same classes as programs offered on the UNI campus.
For more information contact the UNI Office of Admissions, Cedar Falls, IA; phone 319-273-2281.
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
The Four-Year Program. The Army ROTC Four-Year Program consists of two parts: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.
v
The Basic Course is usually taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Students taking a Basic Course class do not incur a military service obligation (except for scholarship students). The Basic Course teaches the student leadership, oral and written communication skills, survival skills, and basic soldier skills. There is no prerequisite that the basic courses be taken in sequence; however, a student must complete the basic course or the equivalent (see paragraph b. below), before progressing into the advanced course.
The Advanced Course is usually taken during the junior and senior years. Students enrolled and contracted in the Advanced Course will incur a military obligation (either active or reserve). The Advanced Course teaches the student about small unit tactics, leadership, ethics, management of military organizations and resources, as well as military law. The Department of the Army will pay all contracted cadets up to $4,000 a year during the last two years of the program.
Accelerated Program. The accelerated program is designed specifically to fill the needs of the students who did not take Army ROTC during the first two years. Placement credit for the basic course may be obtained in several ways. The most common methods are prior military service, enlisted basic training, or successful completion of a six-week summer ROTC basic camp.
The Simultaneous Membership Program. The Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) allows contracted cadets to be members of the Iowa Army National Guard or the Army Reserve and Army ROTC simultaneously.
ROTC SMP cadets are paid at the rate of a Sergeant (E-5) for their one weekend a month training assemblies, plus up to $4,000 a year subsistence allowance from the ROTC Advanced Course, and New G.I. Bill educational assistance benefits. Many ROTC SMP cadets also qualify for the Student Loan Repayment Program.
ROTC Scholarships. U.S. Army ROTC three- and four-year scholarships are available. They cover up to $20,000 per year toward tuition and required educational fees at UNI, and provide $600 per semester for textbooks, supplies, and equipment.
Army ROTC scholarships also provide a subsistence allowance of up to $4,000 for each school year that the scholarships are in effect. Winning and accepting an ROTC scholarship does not preclude accepting other scholarships.
Military Science Minor. The Military Science Department offers a minor in Military Science. Requirements for the minor are 33-39 hours and include Military Science courses as well as elective courses.
Additional Information. Additional information regarding the U.S. Army ROTC program is contained under the section titled Military Science. For additional information, write to the University of Northern Iowa, Department of Military Science, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0142; come in person to West Gym (Room 203), UNI campus; or call the student advisor at 319-273-6178 or 319-273-6337. Please visit our Web site http://www.uni.edu/rotc.
A minimum of 120 semester hours is required to complete the B.A. Liberal Arts degree. All candidates on this program will complete the following pattern:
Semester Hours |
|
Liberal Arts Core |
Minimum 45 |
Major, minor, foreign language, electives |
75 |
Minimum |
120 |
Not later than the beginning of the sophomore year, each student enrolled in this program will choose one major from the list below. A knowledge of a foreign language is required or recommended for several majors. Specific information regarding the foreign language requirements will be found with the departmental listings. It is recommended that the student include in her/his electives a course in the literature of some language or languages other than English (in translation if not in the original).
*Programs requiring more than 120 hours are identified (see specific major requirements).
Majors and Minors
Specific requirements for the various majors and minors will be found with the departmental listings.
Majors
Accounting
American Studies
Anthropology
Art
Asian StudiesAthletic Training
Biochemistry
Biology
Biology: Ecology and Systematics Emphasis
Biology: Biomedical Emphasis
Biology: Microbiology Emphasis
Biology: Plant Bioscience Emphasis
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Chemistry-Marketing
Communication
Communication/Electronic Media
Communication/Public Relations
Communicative Disorders
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Criminology
Earth Science
Earth Science: Interpretive Naturalist Emphasis
Economics
English
European Studies
Family Services
Finance
French Studies
General Studies
General Studies for Registered Nurses
Geography
Geography: Environmental Emphasis
Geology
Geology: Environmental Science Emphasis
Gerontology
German
Graphic Communications
Health Promotion
History
Humanities
Individual Studies
Interior Design
Leisure, Youth and Human Services
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Mathematics
Mathematics-Computer Science Emphasis
Mathematics-Statistics and Actuarial Science
Modern Languages Dual Major
Movement and Exercise Science
Music
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Philosophy
Physics
Political Communication
Political Science
Psychology
Public Administration
Real Estate
Russian
Social Work
Sociology
Spanish
Study of Religion
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Technology Education and Training
Technology Management
Textile and Apparel
Theatre
Minors
Accounting
Accounting-Business
American Ethnic Studies
Anthropology
Art
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Bioinformatics
Biology
Business Communication
Chemistry
Communication
Communication/Journalism
Communication/Public Relations
Comparative Literature
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Criminology
Dance
Earth ScienceEconomics
Educational Technology
Electrical and Electronics Technology (EET)
English
Environmental Studies
Ethics
Family Studies
Finance (for Business and Non-Business Majors)
French Studies
General Business Concepts
Geography
Geology
German
Gerontology
Graphic Communications
Health Promotion
History
Humanities
International Affairs
International Business
International Business (non-business majors)
Jazz Studies
Leadership Studies
Leisure Services
Marketing
Mathematics
Media
Meteorology
Military Science
Music
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Natural History Interpretation
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Politics and Law
Portuguese
Psychology
Real Estate
Real Estate-Business
Religion
Russian
Russian and East European Studies
Sociology
SpanishSpeech-Language-Hearing Sciences
Statistics and Actuarial Science
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Technology Management
Textile and Apparel
Theatre
Women's and Gender Studies
Writing
Youth Services Administration
The minimum total hours to graduate with a B.A. Teaching degree is 120 hours. Majors requiring more than 120 semester hours to graduate are identified (see specific major requirements). All candidates on this program will choose one of the following patterns not later than the beginning of the sophomore year.
A. Preparation for teaching in the secondary school or in special subjects.
Semester Hours |
|
Liberal Arts Core |
Minimum 45 |
Professional Education Requirement |
32 |
| Major, minor, electives | 43-67 |
120-144 |
|
B. Preparation for teaching in the elementary school (kindergarten and grades 1-6).
Semester Hours |
|
Liberal Arts Core |
Minimum 45 |
Professional Education Requirement |
32 |
| Major equirements | 43-67 |
| Endorsement minor/Concentration area | 13-30 |
125-144 |
|
C. Preparation for teaching in early childhood education (pre-K through grade 3).
Semester Hours |
|
Liberal Arts Core |
Minimum 45 |
Professional Education Requirement |
33 |
| Major equirements | 40 |
| Electives | 2 |
120 |
|
*Number of hours determined by declared program area. See appropriate major within Program Requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements.
All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts-Teaching program are required to take the courses in professional education and a minimum of one departmental methods course. In addition, all candidates must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Admission procedures are initiated at a required orientation session during Level I of the Professional Education sequence. PK-12 schools may require proof of a background check prior to entering their buildings to work with students. Therefore, all candidates are strongly encouraged to complete a background check with the Department of Criminal Investigation prior to the first field experience. Teacher candidates will be expected to provide proof of a DCI check at Price Laboratory School.
Semester Hours |
|
220:150 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms |
2 |
240:020 Secondary Educational Technology and Design or |
|
| 240:031 Educational Technology and Design | 2-3 |
280:170g Human Relations: Awareness and Applications (Before enrolling in 280:170g, the student must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.) |
3 |
Minimum |
125-144 |
Semester Hours
220:150 Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Classrooms 2 240:020 Secondary Educational Technology and Design or 240:031 Educational Technology and Design 2-3 280:170g Human Relations: Awareness and Applications 3 (Before enrolling in 280:170g, the student must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.)
Level I |
|
200:017 Field Experience: Exploring Teaching |
1 |
200:030 Dynamics of Human Development |
3 |
Level II |
|
(Before enrolling in Level II, the student must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.) |
|
200:128 Field Experience: Teacher as Change Agent |
1 |
| 200:148 Learning and Instruction in Classroom Contexts | 3 |
250:150 Classroom Assessment |
2 |
Level III |
|
(Before enrolling in Level III, the student must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.) |
|
260:119 Schools and American Society |
3 |
(Student Teaching) |
|
(Before enrolling in Student Teaching, the student must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program.) |
|
280:1XX Student Teaching (course number denotes area in which experience is gained: 280:132, 134, 135, 137, 138, 139, 140, 250) |
12 |
Program completion may include evaluations/assessments prescribed by the major, the Council on Teacher Education, or the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
Industrial Technology majors will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from Industrial Technology would be required to complete 240:020.
Physical Education majors may substitute 420:174 for 250:150. A Physical Education major changing to a different education major from Physical Education would be required to complete 250:150.
Physical Education majors will be waived from 220:150. A student changing to a different education major from Physical Education would be required to complete 220:150.
Music Education majors will be waived from 250:150. A student changing to a different education major from Music Education would be required to complete 250:150.
Music Education majors will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from Music Education would be required to complete 240:020.
Art Education majors will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from Art Education would be required to complete 240:020.
Secondary science teaching majors (Science Education, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics) will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from Science Education, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics would be required to complete 240:020.
Secondary business education teaching majors will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from business education would be required to complete 240:020 or 240:031, depending on level of major.
Modern Language education majors will be waived from 240:020. A student changing to a different education major from modern language would be required to complete 240:020 or 240:031, depending on level of major.
To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, a student must fulfill the following requirements prior to registration for Level II courses:
declare a teaching major;
earn at least 24 semester hours of credit;
earn at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA;
file an acceptable Application for Admission to Teacher Education (available: SEC 159A or online at www.uni.edu/teached, Information for Students, Forms);
complete College Writing and Research (620:005) or the equivalent with a grade of C- (1.67) or better (effective January 1, 2009);
complete Oral Communication (48C:001) or the equivalent with a grade of C- (1.67) or better (effective January 1, 2009);
Complete the Liberal Arts Core Category 1: Core Competency C (Quantitative Techniques and Understanding) math course (or equivalent) with a grade of C- (1.67) or better (effective January 1, 2009);
pass the basic skills test: PPST;
demonstrate Acceptable Dispositions (absence of Notification of Concern)
fulfill any additional requirements as prescribed by the Council on Teacher Education or the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
In approving admission to the Teacher Education Program, consideration is given to the scholarship, health, character, personality, and leadership potential of the applicant. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is a privilege rather than a right. Thus, admission to the Program is not guaranteed to all who apply. Students may appeal the decision to deny admittance to the Teacher Education Program or the decision to place them on academic probation in the Teacher Education Program when the decision is based on extreme circumstances over which the student has no control. In such cases, the student should contact the Associate Director of Teacher Education to set up an appointment to begin the appeal process.
UNI Teacher Education majors are expected to keep an active e-mail account, using the ____@uni.edu address and to check this address at least twice weekly.
Information concerning fee payments for tests, registration procedures, and test dates are available by contacting Examination and Evaluation Services, 007 Integrated Teaching and Technology Center, UNI, 319-273-6023 or the Director of Teacher Education, 159A Schindler Education Center, UNI, 319-273-2265.
At the University of Northern Iowa experiences in teaching and the observation of teaching are an integral part of the teacher education curriculum. The emphasis on experimentation and creative approaches gives the student insight into turning theory into practice. The professional laboratory experiences include field experiences and participation, with supervised observations, that culminate in the actual period of student teaching.
Supervised observations give the student an opportunity to see the teaching-learning operation without becoming involved in the on-going activity itself. In the field experience and participation experiences, the student takes an active part under direction and guidance in the teaching-learning situation or other community activities.
Student involvement in all of the field and clinical experiences in teacher education is vital to the preparation of the prospective teacher. Observation and participation experiences are provided through specific courses in the Professional Education Program and through individual departments offering teaching majors. These experiences give the student the background needed to make professional course work and student teaching more meaningful.
All teacher candidates are strongly encouraged to complete a background check with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation prior to the first field experience and to carry proof of this check with them to all school sites. (See www.uni.edu/teached, Information for Students, for procedures.)
Student teaching is a period of guided teaching which is a full semester in length. During this time, the student assumes increasing responsibility for the teaching-learning activities in the classroom. The student receives twelve (12) semester hours of credit for student teaching, evaluated on a credit/no-credit/withdrawal system. Interinstitutional student teachers who enroll at UNI, including those on the Regents' Universities Student Exchange Program, may be evaluated on a graded basis (e.g., A, B, C, D, F) upon written request at the time of application from the Registrar of the home institution.
To be admitted to student teaching, a student must demonstrate:
FULL admission to the teacher education program;
a certificate in High Risk Behaviors/Substance Abuse;
a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher on work at all colleges and universities;
a UNI GPA of 2.50 or higher;
a 2.50 GPA in the academic major or departmental approval when the GPA is deficient because of circumstances beyond the student=s control;
a GPA of 2.50 or higher and a grade of C- (1.67) or higher in each Professional Education Sequence course, effective January 1, 2009;
completion of all methods courses listed as prerequisites for student teaching with a grade of C (2.00) or higher as well as other departmental requirements.
Mathematics majors are required to have a major GPA of 2.25 or higher AND departmental approval; and
Health Education and Physical Education majors and minors are required to have current First Aid and CPR certification prior to student teaching.
The final student teacher assignment is based upon fulfillment of all established requirements stated above, successful completion of Level II, acceptable professional dispositions, and availability of placement.
To be recommended for teaching licensure in Iowa, a student who graduates from the UNI Teacher Education Program must satisfactorily complete the major and/or minor and the teacher education requirements, have an overall GPA of 2.50 and a cumulative UNI GPA of 2.50, submit fingerprint and waiver cards for mandated background checks, and pass additional exit requirements as may be prescribed by the major, the Council on Teacher Education, or the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners including, but not limited to, demonstration of acceptable professional dispositions. A student not meeting these requirements may graduate but will not receive recommendation for licensure.
Many states, including Iowa, now require successful completion of designated examinations to receive a teaching license. Information concerning fee payments for tests, registration procedures, and test dates are available by contacting Examination and Evaluation Services, 007 Integrated Teaching and Technology Center, UNI 319-273-6023.
This section provides an overview of practices that may delay a student from progressing through the Teacher Education Program in a timely fashion. Specific guidelines for addressing these delays are found in the Council on Teacher Education Handbook, Teacher Candidate Performance Review Committee: Policies and Procedures.
Four Decision Points are established to mark progression through the Teacher Education Program: 1) admission to the university, 2) admission to the Teacher Education Program, 3) admission to student teaching, and 4) recommendation for licensure. Professional Education Faculty members, staff, and/or administrators may delay a student in moving through the Decision Points if a student demonstrates deficiencies in meeting course or Program Standards. To correct the deficiencies, faculty, staff, and/or administrators may file a Notification of Concern, indicating how the student can remedy the deficiency. Only after the deficiencies are resolved may the student expect to move forward in the Program and be recommended for a teaching license.
Any student who has multiple unresolved Notifications of Concern indicating significant deficiencies in meeting Standards for the Teacher Education Program may be considered for suspension from the Program. Suspension from the Program is determined by the Teacher Candidate Professional Review Committee and is for a minimum of one calendar year. Only the most extreme circumstances would warrant consideration for re-admission before one calendar year has elapsed. At the time of suspension, students are informed of the conditions and procedures for re-admission to the Program. Students may appeal the process by which such decision was made by making a written request to the Office of the Provost.
Emergency Suspension: Any student may be suspended immediately by the Director of Teacher Education for extreme, unforeseen circumstances such as endangerment of students, disruption of schools/classes, felonious behaviors, or ethical violations. Such suspensions will be referred to university officials and may become permanent.
Students wishing to be re-admitted to the Teacher Education Program should seek probationary re-admission according to the following schedule: apply by February 1 for Summer and Fall probationary re-admission; apply by October 1 for Spring probationary re-admission. Applications are found at www.uni.edu/teached, Information for Students, University of Northern Iowa Application for Probationary Re-admission to the Teacher Education Program.
The decision to re-admit students on a probationary status will be made by the Teacher Candidate Professional Review Committee. Conditions for probationary re-admission are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Committee and in accordance with conditions determined at the time of suspension. Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the Teacher Candidate Professional Review Committee determines conditions for full re-admission and may recommend such to the Council on Teacher Education, which makes the final decision.
Suspension for a second time is considered permanent. Only the most extreme circumstances would warrant consideration for re-admission a second time. Reconsideration is determined by the Council on Teacher Education.
Elementary majors may choose either a university-approved endorsement minor or a 24-hour area of concentration.
Each student preparing to teach in the secondary school or in a special subject will choose a major not later than the beginning of the sophomore year. The student will also select at least one minor if a minor requirement is indicated under the description of the chosen major. Even if not required, a student may select a second major or one or more minors.
Approved majors and minors will be chosen from the fields listed below.
Majors
All ScienceAnthropology
Art Education
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Communication-Theatre
Early Childhood Education
Earth Science
Elementary Education
English
French Studies
Geography
German
Health Education
History
Mathematics
Middle Level Education Dual Major
Middle/Junior High School Science
Modern Languages Dual Major
Physical Education
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Social Science
Spanish
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Technology Education and Training
TESOL/Modern Language
Minors
Anthropology
Art
Art (K-8)
Basic Science (K-8)
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Coaching
Communication-Theatre
Early Childhood Special Education
Earth Science
Economics
Elementary School Teacher Librarian (K-8)
English
French Studies
Geography
German
Health Education
History
History (K-8)
Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate K-8
Instructional Strategist II: Mild/Moderate 5-12
Literacy Education
Mathematics
Mathematics (K-8)
Modern Languages (K-8)
Physical Education-Elementary Teaching
Physics
Political Science
Portuguese
Psychology
Russian
School Teacher Librarian
Severe Disabilities
Social Studies (K-8)
Spanish
Teacher of Students With Visual Impairments (TVIS)
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Technology Education and Training
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is generally recognized as the professional undergraduate degree in the visual arts. Students are required to pass a portfolio review for admission to the B.F.A. program in the Department of Art. Once admitted, students opt for an emphasis in one of the nine studio areas in the Department of Art: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry/metals, painting, performance art, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. During their senior year, candidates for this degree are required to present an exhibition of their creative works demonstrating competency in the studio arts.
A minimum of 130 semester hours is required to complete the B.F.A. degree. This degree does not provide for licensure to teach; additional hours are necessary to meet licensure requirements.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will complete the following pattern of work:
Art Major |
Semester Hours |
Liberal Arts Core |
45 |
Major Requirements |
77 |
| General Electives | 8 |
| B.F.A. Senior Exhibition | 0 |
|
130 |
Major
Art: Studio B.F.A.
Majors in this degree program have the choice of an educational major or two professional majors. The Music Education major carries licensure to teach music in grades K-8 and 5-12. The Performance major with emphases in voice, piano, organ, and band-orchestral instruments, and the Composition-Theory major are professional programs designed to prepare students for careers as artists-performers or composers, or for entrance to graduate schools where further excellence in a performance area might be pursued. Students earning the Bachelor of Music degree are prepared as performers, college teachers, and in all areas where a high degree of music or performing skill is required.
All candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree will complete a pattern similar to the following. A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Music degree. However, total hours to graduate may range from 121-149 depending on the major chosen.
Semester Hours |
|
Liberal Arts Core |
42 |
Music requirements (applied, theory, history and literature, conducting, ensembles, recital, composition, electives) |
66-80 |
| General electives/professional sequence | 0-36 |
| B.F.A. Senior Exhibition | 0 |
|
130 |
The following majors are offered on this degree program:
Semester Hours |
|
Composition-Theory |
42 |
Music Education (teaching) |
66, 67, or 77 |
| Performance (voice, piano, organ, band-orchestral instruments) | 80 |
*Music Education majors must also complete the Professional Education Requirements. The minimum semester-hour requirements vary with the specialization chosen. The Music Education major carries licensure to teach in grades K-8 and 5-12.
The approval of the faculty, and the Associate Director of the School of Music must be secured before a student is admitted formally to this degree program. All students who have been admitted to the school and wish to pursue a music major curriculum must undertake a common core of required courses during the freshman year. During the second semester of the freshman year, an extensive evaluation of each music major will be conducted. In addition to the entrance audition required of all students who intend to major in music, transfer students are required to take a placement exam in music theory or start with level l in Theory, Aural Training, and Sight Singing. The music faculty will evaluate the performance in these areas to determine School of Music admissibility for each transfer student.
Participation in a performance organization such as band, chorus, orchestra, and other ensembles, is required of all degree students every semester in residence.
Majors
Composition-Theory
Music Education
Performance
The Bachelor of Science degree should be elected by those students who are preparing for careers in areas where effective application of knowledge and training requires a higher degree of concentration in subject matter and cognate areas, particularly in advanced-level course work. This degree is especially appropriate for students planning post-baccalaureate study in graduate or professional schools.
Since this degree assumes a higher degree of concentration in subject matter, a major leading to this degree will ordinarily require at least eight 100-level semester hours of credit more than an identically-named major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minimum of 126 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Requirements include:
a minimum of 56 hours in the subject and cognate areas with: a. at least 36 hours in the subject area; b. at least one 100-level course in cognate areas;
the completion of undergraduate research or internship carrying 1-2 semester hours of credit applicable to either the subject or cognate area(s). This project should result in the completion of a written report. The major department must certify to the Registrar that the research requirement has been met before the degree is granted;
the completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements selected from courses included in the six Liberal Arts Core categories.
Majors
Air Quality
Applied Physics
Biochemistry
Bioinfomatics
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Construction Management
Electrical and Information Engineering Technology (EIET)
Geology
Manufacturing Technology
Networking and System Administration
Physics
The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) program is offered by the three Iowa Regents= Universities: University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa. The purpose of the B.L.S. is to offer educational opportunities to those students who are unable to attend college as full-time, on-campus students. Students may complete the degree at their own pace without attending on-campus courses. Students often use guided independent study and other distance learning opportunities to earn credit.
Admission to the Program. Each student entering the program must have earned:
an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited, two-year college, or at least 60 semester hours of college credit acceptable toward graduation at UNI;
a minimum 2.00 grade point average.
Total Credit Requirements. A total of at least 120 semester hours of credit, including transferable credit earned, is required for graduation. The total must fulfill the following specifications:
45 semester hours of credit earned at four-year colleges in courses defined as upper-level at the colleges in which courses are taken. At the University of Northern Iowa, upper-level courses are those numbered 100 and above;
at least 30 hours of credit earned in the junior and/or senior years in courses at UNI. This total may include nonresidence credit.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements. Students must meet the basic undergraduate core requirements as specified and determined by the policies of the degree-granting institution.
Program Distribution Requirements. To insure sufficient breadth of study, each student's program must include, in addition to the credit used to fulfill the Liberal Arts Core requirements previously stated, a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit in each of the three (3) areas selected from the following list. Of the total 36 semester hours of credit applied to fulfill this requirement, 24 semester hours must be in upper-level credits as defined by the institution in which the courses are taken, with at least 6 semester hours of upper-level credits in each of the three areas chosen.
Humanities
Communications and Arts
Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Social Sciences
Professional fields (such as business, design, textiles, gerontology & family studies, social work, and education)
Information and details regarding admission to the B.L.S. program, evaluation of prior academic work, program advising, and declaration of major may be obtained from Continuing Education Credit Programs, 2637 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223. Students may also call the B.L.S. advisor at 1-800-772-1746 or 319-273-2504. Students are also encouraged to visit the B.L.S. Web site www.uni.edu/continuinged/bls.
Students who change from one degree program to another will be held for all specific requirements of the program on which they expect to graduate. There will be little difficulty in making such a change if it is made not later than the beginning of the junior year. However, if the change is made later than that, there is no assurance that the student will be able to complete the work required for graduation within a four-year period.
As stated in the University of Northern Iowa mission statement, the university=s undergraduate programs are founded on a strong liberal arts curriculum. The liberal arts experience in the Liberal Arts Core exposes students to the broad areas of knowledge embodied in the whole of the environment and liberates students to further develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to live thoughtful, creative, and productive lives. The American Association of Colleges and Universities' "Statement on Liberal Learning" reflects the purposes of UNI's Liberal Arts Core:
A truly liberal education is one that prepares us to live responsible, productive, and creative lives in a dramatically changing world. It is an education that fosters a well-grounded intellectual resilience, a disposition toward lifelong learning, and an acceptance of responsibility for the ethical consequences of our ideas and actions. Liberal education requires that we understand the foundations of knowledge and inquiry about nature, culture and society; that we master core skills of perception, analysis, and expression; that we cultivate a respect for truth; that we recognize the importance of historical and cultural context; and that we explore connections among formal learning, citizenship, and service to our communities.
We experience the benefits of liberal learning by pursuing intellectual work that is honest, challenging, and significant, and by preparing ourselves to use knowledge and power in responsible ways. Liberal learning is not confined to particular fields of study. What matters in liberal education is substantial content, rigorous methodology and an active engagement with the societal, ethical, and practical implications of our learning. The spirit and value of liberal learning are equally relevant to all forms of higher education and to all students.
Because liberal learning aims to free us from the constraints of ignorance, sectarianism, and short-sightedness, it prizes curiosity and seeks to expand the boundaries of human knowledge. By its nature, therefore, liberal learning is global and pluralistic. It embraces the diversity of ideas and experiences that characterize the social, natural, and intellectual world. To acknowledge such diversity in all its forms is both an intellectual commitment and a social responsibility, for nothing less will equip us to understand our world and to pursue fruitful lives.
The ability to think, to learn, and to express oneself both rigorously and creatively, the capacity to understand ideas and issues in context, the commitment to live in society, and the yearning for truth are fundamental features of our humanity. In centering education upon these qualities, liberal learning is society's best investment in our shared future.
(The Association of American Colleges and Universities' "Statement on Liberal Learning," 1999)
Semester Hours |
|
Category 1: Core Competencies |
12 |
Category 2: Civilizations and Cultures |
9 |
| Category 3: Fine Arts, Literature, Philosophy and Religio | 6 |
| Category 4: Natural Science and Technology | 7 |
| Category 5: Social Science | 9 |
| Category 6: Capstone Experience | 2 |
Total Program Minimum |
45 |
*For students admitted to UNI prior to Fall 1994, the Speaking and Listening course included in the Core Competencies category is not required.
Courses numbered 000-099 are open primarily to freshmen and sophomores. Courses numbered 100-199 are open primarily to juniors and seniors.
Courses:
Category 1: Core Competencies............ 12 hours*
Courses in written and oral communication enhance students= abilities to read and listen critically and to write and speak effectively by attention to how the gathering, analyzing, and presenting of evidence and conclusions can be designed for specific purposes and audiences. Courses in quantitative techniques enhance students= abilities to use quantitative data effectively and to apply relevant mathematical and statistical concepts and methods to diverse problems and situations. Personal wellness promotes the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills and attitudes necessary for implementing positive health-related decisions.
Reading and Writing (3 hours required)*
620:005 College Writing and Research (3 hrs.)
620:015 Craft of Academic Writing (3 hrs.)
620:034 Critical Writing About Literature (3 hrs.)
*620:005 recommended for students with ACT English and Reading scores of 18-26;
620:015 has prerequisite of combined ACT English and Reading scores of 54 or higher;
620:034 recommended for English majors and minors with prerequisite of ACT English and Reading scores of 54 or higher.
Speaking and Listening (3 hours required)**
48C:001 Oral Communication (3 hrs.)
**For students admitted to UNI prior to Fall 1994, the Speech and Listening course included in the Communication Essentials category is not required.
Quantitative Techniques and Understanding (3 hours
required)***
800:023 Mathematics in Decision Making (3 hrs.)
800:060 Calculus I (4 hrs.)
800:064 Introductory Statistics for Life Sciences (3 hrs.)
800:072 Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 hrs.)
800:092 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (3 hrs.)
810:025 Computational Modeling and Simulation, (3 hrs.)
Elementary Education students may meet the Category 1C requirement by completing 800:031 (3 hrs.).
***Students with Math ACT scores that are 26 or higher will be placed in 800:060 or 800:072 or 800:092 as follows:
Those with four years of college prep math with a grade of B or higher in the senior-level course will be placed in either 800:060 or 800:092. Those not satisfying these criteria will be placed in 800:072.
Personal Wellness (3 hours required) 440:010 Personal Wellness (3 hrs.)
Category 2: Civilizations and Cultures.............. 9 hours
Courses in this category promote an understanding of Western and non-Western cultures and civilizations from ancient times to the present through historical accounts, literatures, philosophies, religions, and fine arts. Using methods of critical inquiry, students explore aspects of human nature, the shaping of thoughts and values, and their interrelations.
Humanities (6 hours required)
680:021 Humanities I: The Ancient, Classical, and Medieval Worlds (3 hrs.)
680:022 Humanities II: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment (3 hrs.)
680:023 Humanities III: The Age of Revolution to the Present (3 hrs.)
Non-Western Cultures (3 hours required)
680:121 Russia/Soviet Union (3 hrs.)
680:122 Japan (3 hrs.)
680:123 Latin America (3 hrs.)
680:124 China (3 hrs.)
680:125 India (3 hrs.)
680:127 Middle East (3 hrs.)
680:128 Africa (3 hrs.)
680:132/990:132 Native North America (3 hrs.)
680:137/990:137 Native Central and South America (3 hrs.)
780:120 may substitute for the Non-Western Cultures requirement ( 3 hrs.).
Category 3: Fine Arts, Literature, Philosophy and Religion..................... 6 hours
Courses in this category explore diverse forms of human expression and enhance understanding of how religious, philosophical, literary, and aesthetic ideas and experiences shape and reflect cultures and common patterns of human life. Students will develop knowledge of the complex interplay of culture, history, and human experience through critical examination of ideas and beliefs, ritual and symbol, moral codes and social values, story and poetry, visual art, music, theater, and dance.
Fine Arts (3 hours required)*
420:034 Survey of Dance History (3 hrs.)
490:002 The Theatrical Arts and Society (3 hrs.)
520:020 Our Musical Heritage (3 hrs.)
520:030 Music of Our Time (3 hrs.)
600:002 Visual Inventions (3 hrs.)
600:004 Visual Perceptions (3 hrs.)
*590:011 may substitute for the Fine Arts requirement for all music majors (3 hrs.).
Literature, Philosophy, or Religion (3 hours required)
620:031 Introduction to Literature (3 hrs.)
640:024 Religions of the World (3 hrs.)
650:021 Philosophy: The Art of Thinking (3 hrs.)
720:031 Introduction to Francophone Literature in Translation (3 hrs.)
740:031 Introduction to German Literature in Translation (3 hrs.)
770:031 Introduction to Russian Literature in Translation (3 hrs.)
790:031 Introduction to Portuguese and Hispanic Literatures in Translation (3 hrs.)
Category 4: Natural Science and Technology................... 7 hours
Courses in natural science promote an understanding of science as a human process that investigates matter and energy acting within complex organic and inorganic systems. Fundamental principles of both physical and life sciences are included.
Students are required to take a course with a scheduled laboratory from either Life Sciences or Physical Sciences or another laboratory course offered by the College of Natural Sciences. Only 6 hours are required for students who meet the Liberal Arts Core laboratory requirement with a course other than one listed in Life or Physical Sciences.
A. Life Sciences (3 or 4 hours required)
For all courses listed under Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, with the exception of 990:010, a student must have satisfied university entrance requirements in English and Mathematics. (College of Natural Science majors and Health Promotion Major/Science Intensive: Environmental Health Option students may meet the Life Sciences requirement by completing 840:051 or 840:052.)
820:032* Inquiry into Life Science (4 hrs.)
840:012 Life: The Natural World (3 hrs.)
840:013* Life: The Natural World - Lab (1 hr.)
840:014 Life: Continuity and Change (3 hrs.)
840:015* Life: Continuity and Change - Lab (1 hr.)
990:010 Human Origins (3 hrs.)
* Lab Course
B. Physical Sciences (3 or 4 hours required)
For all courses listed under Life Sciences and Physical Sciences, with the exception of 990:010, a student must have satisfied university entrance requirements in English and Mathematics. (College of Natural Sciences majors may meet the Physical Sciences requirement by completing 860:044, 860:070, 880:054, or 880:130. Health Promotion Major/Science Intensive: Environmental Health Option students may meet the Physical Sciences requirement by completing 860:044, 860:048, or 860:070.)
820:031* Inquiry into Physical Science (4 hrs.)
820:033* Inquiry into Earth Science (4 hrs.)
860:010** Principles of Chemistry (3-4 hrs.)
860:011 Molecules and Life (3 hrs.)
870:010** Astronomy (3-4 hrs.)
870:021 Elements of Weather (3 hrs.)
870:031* Introduction to Geology (4 hrs.)
880:011* Conceptual Physics (4 hrs.)
880:012 Physics in Everyday Life (3 hrs.)
970:026** Physical Geography (3-4 hrs.)
* Lab Course
** Lab Course if 4-hour option elected
Category 5: Social Science.......................... 9 hours
Courses in this category introduce students to the description and analysis of human behavior from different perspectives, ranging from the societal and cultural to the institutional, individual, and topical viewpoints. Students are exposed to the diversity of sociocultural systems created by human beings during their evolutionary development, and examine the manner in which behavior is influenced by environmental, sociocultural, psychological, and historical processes.
Required: one course from group A, one course from group B, and one course from group A, B, or C. (Students cannot count both 970:010 and 970:040 toward the Liberal Arts Core.)
A. Group A Sociocultural and Historical Perspectives
900:023 American Civilization (3 hrs.)
970:010 Human Geography (3 hrs.)
970:040 World Geography (3 hrs.)
980:001 Introduction to Sociology (3 hrs.)
990:011 Culture, Nature, and Society (3 hrs.)
B. Group B Individual and Institutional Perspectives
31F:010 Human Identity and Relationships (3 hrs.)
400:001 Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs.)
920:024* Introduction to Economics (3 hrs.)
942:014 Introduction to American Politics (3 hrs.)
943:024 International Relations (3 hrs.)
*Satisfactory completion of both 920:053 and 920:054 by all non-business majors and Business Teaching majors, through UNI or transfer, may substitute for 920:024.
C. Group C Topical Perspectives
450:041/900:041 Social Welfare: A World View (3 hrs.)
450:045/900:045/980:045 American Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3 hrs.)
900:020 Women, Men, and Society (3 hrs.)
900:080 Conflict and Social Reconstruction (3 hrs.)
900:090 Children and Youth: Issues and Controversies (3 hrs.)
940:020 Contemporary Political Problems (3 hrs.)
980:060 Social Problems (3 hrs.)
Category 6: Capstone Experience................... 2 hours
Capstone courses provide opportunities for students to synthesize the diverse realms of thought they have studied and to apply the intellectual proficiencies they have acquired. The emphasis is on cultivating life-long learning through linking theory and academic preparation to practical problem-solving activities in multidisciplinary seminars or community-based learning courses.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
Capstone courses are designated in each Schedule of Classes and also on the Web site www.uni.edu/lac. __
Liberal Arts Core courses included in major or minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Administrative Policies:
The University of Northern Iowa makes available, in addition to traditional programs, the opportunity for students to earn program certificates. Program certificates provide an alternative to programs leading to a degree, a major, or a minor; they certify that an individual has completed a program approved by the university. For further information concerning requirements for these certificates see specific departmental listings , or consult with the department listed or the Office of the Registrar, which serves as the centralized registry. Some of the certificates are interdisciplinary and involve several departments; however, only one department has been listed as the contact.
Program certificates now available include:
Department of Communication Studies
Certificate in Public Speaking
Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communication
Department of Computer Science
Certificate in Software Testing
Computer Applications Certificate
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Instructional Technology Facilitator Certificate
Department of Economics
Certificate in Community Economic Development
Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Postsecondary Education
Advanced Studies Certificate in Educational Leadership
Emphasis: Principalship
Emphasis: Superintendency Preparation Program
Department of English Language and Literature
Certificate in Post-Colonial and Multicultural Literary Studies
Department of Geography
Certificate in Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services
Aquatics Specialization Certificate
Certificate in Global Health and Health Disparities
Environmental Health Certificate
Nonprofit Management and American Humanics Certificate
Outdoor Recreation Certificate
School-Age Care Leadership Certificate
Tourism Certificate
Department of History
Certificate in Public History
Department of Industrial Technology
Advanced Technology Certificate
Technology Management Certificate
Department of Management
Training and Development in Business Certificate
Department of Marketing
Certificate in Entrepreneurship
Certificate in Marketing Research and Consulting
Department of Mathematics
Certificate in Continuous Quality Improvement
Department of Modern Languages
Certificate in French Language Studies
Certificate in German Language Studies
Certificate in Hispanic and Portuguese Studies
Certificate in Hispanic Cultures
Certificate in Portuguese Studies
Certificate in Russian Language Studies
Certificate in Spanish Language Studies
Certificate in Spanish For Special Purposes
International Commerce Certificate
Certificate in Translation (in French, German, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish)
School of Music
Artist Diploma (I)
Artist Diploma (II)
Department of Philosophy and World Religions
Department of Political Science
Department of Psychology
Department of Social Work
Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology
College of Business Administration
College of Humanities and Fine Arts
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
In addition to the completion of one of the baccalaureate degree programs, there are other specific requirements for graduation which apply to all undergraduate students seeking any bachelor's degree, other than the Bachelor of Liberal Studies. These are listed below.
Residence
1. Not more than 32 semester hours earned in correspondence (specified as Guided Independent Study at UNI), extension, or television courses may be used toward graduation.
2. At least 36 weeks spent in residence at this university while earning in such residence at least 32 hours of credit, of which 20 hours must be earned in the junior and senior years.
3. At least 32 hours of credit earned in the junior and senior years in courses at this university. This total may include nonresidence credit.
4. The last semester or full summer session before graduation spent in residence at this university.
Scholarship
A student seeking the bachelor's degree with licensure to teach must successfully complete student teaching and achieve a cumulative grade index in all course work attempted, at this university and elsewhere, of at least 2.50 to be recommended for graduation. The student must also achieve a cumulative grade index of 2.50 on all work attempted at the University of Northern Iowa.
A student seeking the bachelor's degree (without licensure) must achieve a cumulative grade index in all work attempted, at this university and elsewhere, of at least 2.00 to be recommended for graduation; the student must also achieve a cumulative grade index of 2.00 on all work attempted at the University of Northern Iowa.
Note: A student may be held by her/his academic department to specific grade point requirements, for the major work and/or graduation, which are higher than the grade point requirements for all university students. Students are advised to refer to the requirements for their specific major.
Communication
Competence in reading, speaking, and writing is required of all candidates seeking degrees or university recommendations for licensure. All students who enter UNI with or after the Fall 1988 semester who are candidates for baccalaureate degrees are required to demonstrate competence in writing by passing the Liberal Arts Core writing course and meeting the writing requirements for their academic major.
Foreign Language Competency Requirement
Students entering UNI who graduated from high school in 1989 or thereafter are required to demonstrate a level of competence in a foreign language (classical or modern) equivalent to that achieved after the second semester at the college level. One year of foreign language in high school is considered to be equivalent to one semester of foreign language at the university.
The foreign language competency requirement can be satisfied in the following ways:
satisfactory* completion of two years of high school study in one foreign language;
satisfactory* completion of a combination of high school and college study in one language equivalent to the competence achieved after the second semester at the college level;
satisfactory performance in an achievement examination measuring proficiency equivalent to that attained after the second semester of college study in one foreign language.
satisfactory* completion of either two years of high school study or one year of college study or the combined equivalent in American Sign Language (ASL). Study in any other language and culture for the hearing impaired will not automatically satisfy this graduation requirement.
*Satisfactory completion means a minimum grade of C- in the last course taken to meet this requirement.
Advanced Courses
At least 10 hours of work in a major in courses numbered 100-199 and taken at this university.
Maximum Credit by Examination
A maximum of 32 semester hours of credit earned by examination or by open credit is applicable toward degree requirements. This includes credit earned by CLEP, by departmental examination, by Advanced Placement, and credit established by examination of other colleges and universities.
Listing of Candidates for Graduation
A student may be listed as a candidate for graduation at the end of a semester if the completion of work for which s(he) is registered would meet all the requirements for graduation exclusive of grade points, and if the grade points to be earned do not exceed the number which could be earned for the hours for which the student is registered.
Application for Graduation
A student who expects to be graduated at the end of a semester must make written application at the opening of the semester. This application can be accessed through MyUNIverse http://access.uni.edu/forms/index.shtml and is filed with the Office of the Registrar.
Second Baccalaureate Degree (After First Baccalaureate Conferred)
A student may pursue a second baccalaureate degree after a first baccalaureate degree has been conferred. To receive a second baccalaureate degree after first baccalaureate degree has been conferred, a student must meet all the requirements for the second degree, including at least 36 weeks in residence and earning not less than 32 hours of credit.
For example: Student has 20 specified hours of coursework to meet the requirements for the second baccalaureate degree. Student will need to earn an additional 12 hours to meet the minimum 32 hours of credit required for a second baccalaureate degree.
Two Concurrent Degrees
A student may pursue two different baccalaureate degrees concurrently. To receive two different degrees concurrently (i.e., B.A/B.S., B.A./B.Music), a student must meet all the requirements for both degrees, including at least 36 weeks in residence and earning not less than 32 hours of credit beyond the hours required for the degree the student chooses to declare as the first degree.
For example:
The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree requires minimum of 120 hours and the Bachelor of Science degree requires minimum 126 hours to graduate.
If declared first degree Bachelor of Liberal Arts/second degree Bachelor of Science, requires minimum 152 hours to graduate with these concurrent degrees (120 hours + 32 hours).
If declared first degree Bachelor of Science/second degree Bachelor of Liberal Arts, requires minimum 158 hours to graduate with these concurrent degrees (126 hours + 32 hours).
The university does not grant two of the same degrees concurrently, including the Bachelor of Arts degree-Liberal Arts and the Bachelor of Arts degree-Teaching program.
A student may have a double major, one in Teaching and one in Liberal Arts, but the Teaching major must be declared as the first major and the B.A. Teaching degree will be the degree conferred, since the teaching degree has the higher grade index requirement.
Teaching licenses are issued by state departments of education and are valid only in the state of issue. A college or university recommendation is required for issuance of a license.
Students in the teaching program must meet requirements for an Iowa teaching license if they are to be recommended for licensure from the University of Northern Iowa. At graduation they are eligible for the Initial License, valid for a period of two years for the kind of service indicated by the endorsement on the license; e.g., elementary and early childhood teaching, secondary teaching in content areas, or teaching in a special area such as art or music. The student usually can secure appropriate licensure in other states by making proper application and fulfilling any additional requirements.
In addition to holding a license valid for a specific teaching level, the secondary teacher must also have ENDORSEMENT in each subject to be taught. Endorsements are issued by the Iowa Department of Education on the recommendation of an institution. To secure the recommendation of the University of Northern Iowa, the student must meet the requirements for a teaching major or a teaching minor (or equivalent) in the subject. Exceptions are made only with the authorization of the university department offering the major or minor.
This university may recommend for licensure those graduates of other colleges or universities who have completed their professional education sequence courses here. However, this is a discretionary matter and the university will expect such students to demonstrate excellence of scholarship and meet standards required of its own graduates. Such students must have earned at least 20 hours of residence credit and at least 12 semester hours must be in the area for which endorsement is requested.
Program completion may include evaluations/assessments prescribed by the major, the Council on Teacher Education, or the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.
For additional information, contact the Office of the Registrar, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006.
Renewal and reinstatement requirements are established by the Iowa State Board of Educational Examiners and are subject to change by that body at any time. The Bureau of Practitioner Preparation and Development of the Department of Education distributes information concerning all changes in licensure requirements to city superintendents and to the teacher-education institutions. Information concerning the renewal or reinstatement requirements may be obtained from the:
Board of Educational Examiners
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0147
(See www.state.ia.us/boee, Renew a License)