Elementary Education (MAE)
Elevate your teaching career with an online program designed specifically for K-6 classroom teachers.
- Next cohort begins: August 2023
- Apply by July 15!
- Scholarships available!

Features
Entirely Online | 30 Credits | 5 semesters
- Designed for current K-6 classroom teachers with licensure in the field of elementary education and aligned with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
- Supports faculty-guided teacher research, allowing you to focus on relevant issues within your classroom
- Elevate your teaching skills with courses addressing curriculum issues, literacy, mathematics, science, social students and action research
- Ranked in the top 15% of online master's in education programs in 2023 by U.S. News and World Report
Here to Help
As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have a dedicated Enrollment Contact and Program Coordinator to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.
![]() | Mason Kuhn Program Coordinator Associate Professor, Curriculum & Instruction |
![]() | Linda Loy Enrollment Contact linda.loy@uni.edu |
Delivered Entirely Online
Courses are taught asynchronously over five semesters via Blackboard, a dynamic platform that will enhance your learning experience. Most courses offer flexible Zoom class sessions to connect with the professor, engage with the content, and build community with colleagues. The program is delivered in a cohort model, allowing you to study with the same group of teachers throughout the program.

Our graduates are prepared to:
- Advocate for change for their students and school community
- Become a Teacher Leader in curriculum and innovative instructional methods
- Apply action research to topics of interest or areas of concern in classrooms and schools
- Understand and communicate how to promote equity and inclusion in the elementary classroom
- Model best practices and offer leadership, in areas of literacy, science, STEM and social studies

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 Learning Center
- Access to student accessibility services and staff
- Technical support assistance

To be admitted, students must have:
- a bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- CV/Resume
- minimum GPA of 3.0 (GPAs of 2.75+ may be considered for provisional admission)
- Along with the application, students should have their official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
$2,000 Panther Alumni Continuing Education (PACE) Scholarship for Teachers
- UNI Online & Distance Education offers scholarships to assist UNI teaching alumni who enroll in a degree-seeking graduate program at a distance. Qualified applicants will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship ($500 each fall and spring term).
- Submit your PACE scholarship application online.
Dean’s Graduate Scholarship & Elementary Education Scholarships
- The Dean of the College of Education and generous donors fund scholarships for graduate students. Part-time, online students are eligible.
- Apply here!
Next Steps
Express Interest
Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information, and application deadlines directly to your inbox!
Apply Now
To be admitted, students must have:
- a bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- CV/Resume
minimum GPA of 3.0 (GPAs of 2.75+ may be considered for provisional admission)
Along with the application, students should have their official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Admissions
Scholarships Available
Check out the scholarships (listed above) being offered by the College of Education and Online & Distance Education to qualified students.
Call 319-273-7206 or email online@uni.edu with any questions or if you need assistance!
Delivery of this program is contingent on a sufficient number of students being accepted into the program.

in 2022
Recognized in the U.S. News & World Report's "Best Online Master's in Education Programs"
Top Online Master's
in Elementary Education by TheBestColleges.org national list
of graduates
would recommend the Elementary Education MAE program to others