In addition to the ongoing need for K-12 teachers, there is a growing need for trained education and human relations professionals.
The field of education provides abundant career opportunities. In addition to the ongoing demand for K-12 teachers, there is a growing need for trained education and human relations professionals.
The College of Education offers the following undergraduate programs:
A degree in Elementary Education prepares students for licensure to teach Kindergarten through Grade 6 and includes opportunities to specialize in additional teaching areas (added endorsements) for Kindergarten through Grade 8.
Students who plan to teach at the secondary level must complete requirements for two bachelor degrees: a bachelor of arts from the College of Education and a bachelor degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a major in the primary subject they want to teach. Majors offered are:
- Art Education (K-12)
- English Education
- Mathematics Education
- Music Education (K-12)
- Science Education
- Social Studies Education
- World Language Education
Elementary and secondary options for specialization (added endorsements) include reading, mathematics, physical education, Social Sciences (5-12), and special education, as well as programs for athletic coach (K-12), English as a second language (K-12), middle school (5-8), and talented and gifted (PK-12). Additional education or content area courses and/or field experiences may be required.
Science Studies majors gain substantial knowledge in two or more science subjects: biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science. Courses provide experience in the application of scientific knowledge to education and society, and students learn about cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives on science. Teacher Education Program admission is not required.
Education Studies and Human Relations BA
This multidisciplinary major prepares students who do not wish to pursue K-12 classroom teaching for a career in education or counseling-related fields. The program provides strong academic preparation, including critical-thinking and interpersonal communication skills, for a wide variety of education-related careers or graduate study.
Course Work
Course work for elementary education and secondary-level majors includes one semester of student teaching as well as pre-student teaching field experiences in schools.
All Education students must satisfy the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE Core general education requirements.
Minors
View the minor in educational psychology (Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations) and the minor in human relations (Department of Rehabilitation and Counselor Education) in the UI General Catalog to learn more.
With the College of Education's 10:1 student to faculty ratio, Iowa students enjoy a Big Ten university experience with a small-college feel. Faculty are on a first-name basis with students and our program provides an enriched learning environment that celebrates diversity.
The College of Education ranks 47th nationally among all public and private colleges and is the 34th best public college of education, according to the U.S. News & World Report's 2021 edition of Best Graduate Schools.
We are Iowa's STEM leader. Our teachers graduate with a degree in their subject area, making them content experts. We offer a 4+1 program that allows students to graduate in five years with both a bachelor degree in mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, geoscience, physics, or other science major, and the Master of Arts in Teaching.
Because Iowa is home to the world-renowned Iowa Testing Programs, the Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education, and the Iowa Reading Research Center, our students have hands-on experience with and learn to excel in assessment, giftedness, and reading literacy.
The Baker Teacher Leader Center provides professional development in high-need areas such as special education instruction, English language learning, social emotional learning, global education and student development, measurement and testing, and teaching.
Our graduates go on to become world-class leaders, scholars, and innovators in many different facets of education and the helping professions, from teaching to design of learning technologies and educational solutions, educational administration, counseling, higher education and student development, and measurement and testing.
First-year students must meet the admission requirements of a College of Education major, and the admission requirements of the College of Education (the same high school course and Regent Admission Index (RAI) requirements that are required for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).
Elementary Education
First-year students are admitted to the Elementary Education major if they meet the admission requirements of the College of Education.
Students who were admitted to Elementary Education as first-year applicants complete Teacher Education Program application requirements as part of their first two semesters of coursework.
Secondary Education
First-year students who would like to teach in secondary schools (grades 5-12 or K-12) apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for a major in the main subject they would like to teach (for example, Biology, or Spanish) and "secondary education interest" as a second major. Students may apply to the Teacher Education Program and education major (for example, Science Education, or World Language Education) when they have earned 30 semester hours of credit and completed prerequisite courses.
Direct Admission to Music Education: First-year students who want to become music teachers apply to "music interest" as their first major, and "secondary education interest" as a second major. They complete a supplemental application and audition for the School of Music. Students who are admitted and who have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher may be offered early admission to Music Education. Students who are offered early admission apply to the Teacher Education Program -- requiring 10 hours of pre-admission school field experience and an essay -- in their first semester. Students who do not gain early admission may apply to the TEP later, as described under Secondary Education.
Education Studies and Human Relations
First-year students with ACT composite score of 21 or higher (waived for students entering Fall 2022) and a final high school GPA of at least 3.00 are eligible for Direct Admission to Education Studies and Human Relations. First-year students who do not meet requirements for admission to the major may declare Education Studies and Human Relations Interest in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and later apply for Regular Admission to the major.
Regular Admission is available to students who have completed a minimum of 12 s.h. of graded course work at the University of Iowa and who have a UI Cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
Information
Overall, 96 percent of our teacher education graduates are professionally employed. Our science and math teachers are 100 percent professionally employed after graduation. Teaching is one of the few professions offering substantial choices in terms of job location, subject area, schedule, and school type. Salaries vary by region and by school district.
Teacher Education Program and Education Studies and Human Relations BA courses are taught by practicing professionals and scholars who are experts in their fields and who offer students real-world perspective and guidance on careers.
Our Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
In addition to more than 500 Student Organizations, Iowa students choose from more than 100 Study Abroad Programs and multiple Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
The University of Iowa provides a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Scholarships are available to first-year, transfer, and currently enrolled students. For additional details on scholarships for your program of study, check directly with the department or college.
The College of Education, Office of Admissions, and the Office of Student Financial Aid are great resources for students seeking scholarships.