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

Learn more about Literacy MAE

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).

Learn more about Reading Endorsement

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

Learn more about School Library Studies MA

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

Learn more about Teacher Librarian Endorsements

Now offering an online transfer pathway

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.

Learn more about Early Childhood Education BA program

Work-Based Learning Micro-Credential Webinars

The University of Northern Iowa, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Education, is now offering a webinar series that provides up-to-date training and information on how to use Work-Based Learning (WBL) in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and non-CTE classrooms.

See below for webinar details.

Available Workshops

Summer 2025 Workshop

Grades K-12 OpenSciEd Course

Join us this summer for an engaging, face-to-face OpenSciEd course on the UNI campus. Led by national and State OpenSciEd certified trainers, you’ll learn about OpenSciEd’s curriculum while networking with the trainers, UNI Science Education faculty, and fellow teachers. Workshops are held from 9am-3pm on the UNI campus.

Tuesday, June 10: Elementary (Grades K-5) Introduction to OpenSciEd
Wednesday, June 11: Secondary (Grades 6-12) Introduction to OpenSciEd
Thursday, June 12: Secondary (Grades 6-12) Next Steps to OpenSciEd

More Details

Current Work-Based Learning Micro-Credential Webinars

Webinar #1: Essentials of Work-Based Learning

Learn the types of work-based learning, basic steps needed to start a successful program in your school and how to gain buy-in from stakeholders. Enroll anytime and complete the course in four weeks.

Webinar #2: Finding and Maintaining Business Partners

Explore the ways to overcome challenges in developing a business network, learn how to evaluate quality work-based learning projects and discover new avenues to create industry partners. Enroll anytime and complete the course in four weeks.

Register for a Webinar

Create a Blackboard account
On the login screen, choose "Non-UNI User Login" and enter your newly created username and password.
Navigate to the course listing, click the seminar title and select "Enroll Now" to access the seminar.