Special Education (Instructional Strategist) Endorsements

Advance your teaching practice by enrolling in our online Special Education endorsements. Designed for current, licensed teachers, our programs allow you to earn your Iowa teaching endorsement and graduate certificate at the same time.

Begin any term
Scholarships available

Strategist I: Mild and Moderate Disabilities Endorsement (K-8)

Graduate Certificate & Iowa Endorsement #260

Learn more about endorsement #260

Strategist I: Mild and Moderate Disabilities Endorsement (5-12)

Graduate Certificate & Iowa Endorsement #261

Learn more about endorsement #261

Strategist II: Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

Graduate Certificate & Iowa Endorsement #263

Learn more about endorsement #263

Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

Graduate Certificate & Iowa Endorsement #264

Learn more about endorsement #264

Scholarships Available

UNI's College of Education is offering scholarships to support teachers who are seeking licensure in select endorsement and graduate certificate programs. Whether you’re looking to specialize in a certain subject area, advance your credentials, or expand your teaching practice, the Empower Educators Scholarship is designed to help make your goals more attainable. This dedicated scholarship will offset the cost difference of graduate-level coursework and undergraduate tuition.

Apply for the scholarship

Stsack your certificates into a graduate degree

Course Pathways for Strategist I & II Endorsements

Strategist I - Mild and Moderate Disabilities Endorsement (K-8)(5-12)

The sequence below assumes students have completed the EDPSYCH 2030 Dynamics of Human Development (3) course or equivalent.

Fall

SPIE 4161/5161 Constructions of Behavior and Humanistic Supports (3)
SPIE 4162/5162 Specialized Assessment and Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
SPIE 4163/5163 Field Experience (3)

Spring

SPIE 4171/5171 Inclusive Learning Environments K-12 (3)
SPIE 4172/5172 Differentiated and intensive Methods: Elementary Mild/Moderate (3) OR SPIE 4173/5173 Instructional Methods for Inclusive Learning 5-12 (3)
SPIE 4194 Experience in Special & Inclusive Education: Prac 2, Instructional Strategist I K-8 (3) OR SPIE 5195 Experience in Special & Inclusive Education: Prac 2, Instructional Strategist I 5-12 (3)

Summer

SPIE 4150/5150 Introduction to Special Education: Legal, Advocacy, and Assistive Technology Practices and Issues (3)
SPIE 4151/5151 Educational and Post-School Transition Programming for Individuals with Disabilities (3)

Strategist II - Intellectual Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

The sequence below assumes students have completed the EDPSYCH 2030 Dynamics of Human Development (3) course or equivalent.

Fall

SPIE 4161/5161 Constructions of Behavior and Humanistic Supports (3)
SPIE 4162/5162 Specialized Assessment and Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
SPIE 4163/5163 Field Experience in Specialized Assessment, Instruction and Management in Special Education (K-8) (3)

Spring

SPIE 4171/5171 Creating and Sustaining Positive Inclusive Learning Environments (K-12) (3)
SPIE 4173/5173 Instructional Methods for Inclusive Learning (5-12) (3)
SPIE 4196/5196 Experience in Special & Inclusive Education: Prac 2, Instructional Strategist II Intellectual Disability K-12 (3)

Summer

SPIE 4150/5150 Introduction to Special Education: Legal, Advocacy, and Assistive Technology Practices and Issues (3)
SPIE 4151/5151 Educational and Post-School Transition Programming for Individuals with Disabilities (3)

Strategist II - Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

The sequence below assumes students have completed the EDPSYCH 2030 Dynamics of Human Development (3) course or equivalent.

Fall

SPIE 4161/5161 Constructions of Behavior and Humanistic Supports (3)
SPIE 4162/5162 Specialized Assessment and Instruction for Students with Disabilities (3)
SPIE 4163/5163 Field Experience in Specialized Assessment, Instruction and Management in Special Education (K-8) (3)

Spring

SPIE 4171/5171 Creating and Sustaining Positive Inclusive Learning Environments (K-12) (3)
SPIE 4174/5174 Methods and Strategies for Students with Social-Emotional Behavioral and Learning Needs (K-12)
SPIE 4197/5197 Experience in Special & Inclusive Education: Prac 2, Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities K-12 (3)

Summer

SPIE 4150/5150 Introduction to Special Education: Legal, Advocacy, and Assistive Technology Practices and Issues (3)
SPIE 4151/5151 Educational and Post-School Transition Programming for Individuals with Disabilities (3)

Admission Requirements

To enroll, students must:

be a practicing K-12, licensed teacher*
have a bachelor's degree

*Out-of-state students should check with their licensing board prior to beginning the program.

Here to Help

As an Online & Distance Education student, you’ll have dedicated staff to assist you with registering for classes, navigating the course sequence and billing process, preparing for graduation and much more.

‌ Mallory DeSantiago

‌‌Mallory DeSantiago
Student Support Specialist
mallory.desantiago@uni.edu
319-273-2863

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Courses & Delivery
Support Services

Delivered entirely online

Courses are delivered through Zoom video conferencing and Blackboard, an interactive platform designed to enrich your learning experience and foster a strong sense of community with your peers.

The practicum and field experience courses are grounded in competency-based learning and are integrated into your daily work environment. These courses require access to classrooms where you can actively engage with children, helping you develop the skills needed to achieve the required level of competency to successfully complete the program.

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

Student smiling receiving help from staff member

Courses & Delivery

Delivered entirely online

Courses are delivered through Zoom video conferencing and Blackboard, an interactive platform designed to enrich your learning experience and foster a strong sense of community with your peers.

Support Services

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

Strategist I: Mild and Moderate Disabilities Endorsement (K-8)(5-12)

Fulfills requirements for Iowa Endorsement #260 (K-8) and Endorsement #261 (5-12)

Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

Fulfills requirements for Iowa Endorsement #264 (K-12)

Strategist II: Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities Endorsement (K-12)

Fulfills requirements for Iowa Endorsement #263 (K-12)

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Express Interest

Complete our online information request form. We'll send program updates, important information, and application deadlines directly to your inbox!

Request a Transcript Evaluation

If you are not a UNI alumni, we recommend consulting with the Iowa BOEE for a transcript evaluation prior to enrolling.

If you are a UNI alumni, contact Sandy Crain at sandra.crain@uni.edu

Enroll

To enroll, students need to complete our online enrollment request form. Questions about enrolling in the program can be directed to janelle.finke@uni.edu.

‌Express Interest

‌Request transcript evaluation

Enroll Now

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

Add your endorsement to your teaching license

Students who complete the Strategist I - Mild and Moderate Disabilities Endorsement or the Strategist II - Intellectual Disabilities Endorsement will be recommended by UNI to the BOEE for the endorsement.

Students pursuing the Strategist II - Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities Endorsement will need to complete this application from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (IBOEE).

Questions can be addressed to the IBOEE.