Professional Development for Educators
Build new skills, earn an endorsement or explore our graduate programs for educators. With a long-standing reputation, award-winning faculty and dedicated support staff, the University of Northern Iowa is the right choice for professional development for educators.
Expand your teaching skills and career opportunities in reading, literacy, or school library studies, with our entirely online programs - designed specifically for current, licensed teachers.
Literacy MAE
Develop and extend your literacy education expertise in both leadership and the classroom.
- Begin in Fall 2026
Reading Endorsement
Learn how to help students become skilled and successful readers, while adding an Iowa endorsement to your teaching credentials.
- Begin in Summer 2026 (Fall/Spring start options may be available based on previously completed coursework).
School Library Studies MA
Prepare to serve as a leader in technology and literacy, teachers of digital citizenship, media specialists and advocates for lifelong readers.
- Begin in Spring 2026
Teacher Librarian Endorsements
Earn one or more Iowa teacher librarian endorsements: K-8 Elementary School Teacher Librarian (#108), 5-12 Secondary School Teacher Librarian (109), or K-12 School Teacher Librarian (#174)
- Begin in Spring 2026
Early Childhood Education BA program
UNI is now accepting applications for the new Early Childhood Education Online Transfer Program. This flexible online program allows students with an AA or AS degree to earn their teaching degrees online, preparing for a meaningful and fulfilling career working with young children.
Available Workshops
EARTHSCI 6233 Iowa's Environmental Resources for Teachers Course
Join us this spring and summer for an engaging, hands-on Environmental Resources course on the UNI campus. Participate in several exciting, hands-on activities in the field, and meet other Earth Science teachers from across the state. Discuss what’s working and what’s not in your classrooms and share your tried-and-true methods for teaching about the geology of Iowa.
- The online component of this workshop is offered via synchronous or asynchronous video conferencing (Panopto and/or Zoom)Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m., March 31 and April 7 & 21.
- The on-campus component begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, with a reception and check-in on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The workshop ends at approximately 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 25.
MUS ED 4133/5133 Strategies for Innovative Teaching in Music Education Course
This course is the credit option for attendees of the Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA) Fall Conference. Sessions presented at the conference cover a variety of strategies for innovative teaching that include musical literacy, emerging ensembles, dance, inclusive music, SEL and many others. There are over 70 sessions for attendees to choose from. The meeting pattern for this course requires 15 hours of direct instructional time and 30 hours of outside work for assignments and research.
- Complete workshop assignments by December 14, 2025
- Attend at least 8 sessions of the IMEA Fall Conference: November 20-22, 2025
