Director of Special Education

Endorsement

Advance your skills in educational policy, facility planning, human resources, theories and philosophies as they relate to special education. 

  • Start in any term*
  • Fulfills requirements for Iowa Endorsement #239
  • Complete our interest form to learn more!
Amy Thoms Starr

Features

  • Designed for those with a master's degree who are seeking endorsement in the state of Iowa to serve as an AEA Director or Assistant AEA Director
  • Flexible courses delivered primarily online, developed specifically for practicing special education teachers, school principals and administrators, and AEA professionals.
  • Allows you to maintain professional and personally obligations while completing the endorsement.
  • Courses taught by experienced, campus-based faculty with administrative, special education, supervision, and evaluation experience.

UNI is a family, everyone jumps in to support one another. There were always people to lift you up and inspire you to greatness. [The professors] were true servant leaders, always stepping up to tackle questions and help students apply the learning in meaningful ways.

Amy Thoms-Starr
Director of Special Education Endorsement graduate

Here to Help

As a UNI Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Program Coordinator and Enrollment Contact to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, and much more.

Ken Hayes professional headshot

Kenneth Hayes, EdD
Program Coordinator
Instructor, Educational Psychology, Foundations, and Leadership Studies
kenneth.hayes@uni.edu
319-273-6264

Janelle Finke professional headshot

Janelle Finke
Enrollment Contact
janelle.finke@uni.edu
319-273-7740

Courses delivered primarily online

Courses are offered primarily online, either synchronously via Zoom and asynchronously using Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and sense of community with fellow classmates. Some courses may require in-person meetings. 

*Students can start in any term, except for the term requiring a practicum.

Professor teaching students on zoom in the classroom

Our graduates are prepared to:

  • Direct, implement, supervise, and evaluate special education services and programs.
  • Improve Special Education policies and practices within your organization.
  • Coordinate student placements in programs.
  • Promote and ensure inclusionary policies and practices for students with disabilities.
Smiling graduate hugging someone at graduation ceremony
Individualized Support Services

Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:

  • Personalized academic advising
  • Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
  • Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the UNI Learning Center
  • Access to student accessibility services and staff
  • Technical support assistance
Student smiling receiving help from staff member
Courses delivered primarily online

Courses are offered primarily online, either synchronously via Zoom and asynchronously using Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience and sense of community with fellow classmates. Some courses may require in-person meetings. 

*Students can start in any term, except for the term requiring a practicum.

Professor teaching students on zoom in the classroom

Our graduates are prepared to:

  • Direct, implement, supervise, and evaluate special education services and programs.
  • Improve Special Education policies and practices within your organization.
  • Coordinate student placements in programs.
  • Promote and ensure inclusionary policies and practices for students with disabilities.
Smiling graduate hugging someone at graduation ceremony
Individualized Support Services

Throughout every step of your program, you'll have a dedicated team of support staff ready to assist you. You'll also have access to UNI services such as:

  • Personalized academic advising
  • Support from Financial Aid, Career Services and Rod Library staff
  • Academic support and tutoring opportunities from the UNI Learning Center
  • Access to student accessibility services and staff
  • Technical support assistance
Student smiling receiving help from staff member

Enrollment Requirements

To begin courses, students must have: 

  • Master's degree
  • Hold or meet requirements for one of the following Iowa endorsements #189, #233, #258
  • Three years experience as a principal or other administrative experience and three years experience in one of the following areas: 
    • teaching experience in special education with a special education teaching endorsement
    • experience as a school audiologist, school psychologist, school social worker, or speech-language pathologist

Next Steps


Express Interest

Complete our online information form and the program coordinator will reach out to create an individual plan of study.


Review requirements

To begin courses, students must have: 

  • Master's degree
  • Three years experience

Contact Us

Our team of support staff is available to help you throughout your UNI journey.

Contact us at 319-273-7206 or online@uni.edu for assistance!

 

Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.