Decision Points for UNI Teacher Education

Four Decision Points mark students’ progress toward earning a teaching license in the state of Iowa:

1. Admission to the University

Prior to all field experiences: secure clearance on a Department of Criminal Investigation background check
(see below)

2. Admission to Teacher Education

Declare a major
Have earned at least 24 semester hours of credit
GPA: cumulative 2.50 or above
PPST: (170+ in reading, math, and writing; total to equal or exceed 522)
Acceptable professional dispositions (absence of Notifications of Concern)
Satisfactory completion of College Reading and Writing and Oral Communication (or equivalents)
Acceptable “Admission to Teacher Education” application

3. ADMISSION TO STUDENT TEACHING

All GPA requirements met—2.50 or above: UNI, cum, professional education sequence (licensure) courses, major(s) (see department for requirements), methods (see department requirements)
High Risk Behavior/Substance Abuse certificate
Successful completion of required methods courses (see department requirements)
Acceptable professional dispositions (absence of Notifications of Concern)
Successful completion of Level II field experience

4. RECOMMENDATION FOR LICENSURE

GPA—2.50 or above: UNI cum, total cum, and for all areas for which an endorsement is sought (majors/minors)
Successful completion of student teaching, including acceptable performance on a Teacher Work Sample
Acceptable professional dispositions (absence of Notification of Concern)

Department of Criminal Investigation:
go to
Iowa Criminal History Records web site

On the main DCI page, scroll down to:

“Billing form” to use if you are mailing your request and payment of $13.00.
“Request form” (provides DCI with search information)
“Billing form” to use if you wish to FAX your request and credit card payment of $15.00

State Rules

Required OSHA Universal Precautions Standards Training—before working with any children, on or off campus
High Risk Behaviors—during 200:128 semester, spring and fall. Must have certificate to student teach.
PPST—attain all three minimum scores set by UNI
Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Seminar—required of all teachers. Do semester before student teaching to have this done.
Full Background Check—do the semester before student teaching (includes fingerprinting)
PRAXIS II—attain State cut-off score (for K-3 and K-6 endorsements)

www.uni.edu/teached

Office of Teacher Education
University of Northern Iowa
SEC 159A
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0602
319-273-2265