Teaching Licensure

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 Provisional 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 can usually 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 the issuing 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 work 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.

The State of Iowa requires an approved course in human relations.

For additional information, contact:

Office of the Registrar,
227 Gilchrist Hall,
University of Northern Iowa,
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006.