Special Education (Instructional Strategist) Endorsements
Advance your teaching practice by enrolling in our online Special Education endorsements.
- Courses available every term.
- Enroll now!
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)
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
Student Support Specialist
mallory.desantiago@uni.edu
319-273-2863
Request Information
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
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
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)
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.
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).