UNI announces bold new ‘Degree in 3’ path to elementary teaching degree

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - A new pathway to teaching elementary education at the University of Northern Iowa allows students to complete their Bachelor of Arts degree in three years, saving them time and money while allowing them to begin their careers one year sooner, on a faster path to their first teaching salary.

Applications are now being accepted for an accelerated "Degree in 3" elementary education BA pathway, an on-campus option which expects 25 to 30 students in its inaugural class in fall 2026.

"UNI's three-year degree is a bold response to the state's demand for teachers and aligns very well with Iowa's legislative objectives," said UNI Provost José Herrera. "This builds on our legacy in teacher education while providing an alternative for today's high school students seeking an accelerated path to elementary teaching."

The new pathway, intended for incoming freshmen, maintains the standard curriculum of 120 credit hours for completion, including an array of in-depth clinical experiences and student teaching. In this faster, more intensive path to teaching, students will complete coursework year-round, including winter and summer semesters, followed by student teaching.

In addition to tuition savings, Degree in 3 students are eligible for up to $5,600 in scholarships to assist with summer tuition and student teaching stipends. Graduates will get a head start to earn first-year teaching salaries in Iowa beginning at $50,000.

Colleen Mulholland, dean of the College of Education, said this new option fits students seeking a faster, less costly path to teaching who are willing to commit to this more intensive offering.

"The combination of less time on campus and added financial opportunities puts students an estimated $70,000 ahead in contrast to a traditional four-year path," she said. "We understand the commitment being made by these students, and pledge as well to offer dedicated year-around support in terms of academics, advising, career and wellness support."

In responding to Iowa's legislative initiative to add at least one three-year degree program at each Regent university, the provost said UNI naturally looked to UNI Teacher Education and the College of Education first.

"Our elementary education program is the largest major at UNI. We've been preparing future educators since UNI began. Adding the Degree in 3 further extends the reach of this outstanding program, which prepares more elementary teachers than any other program in the State of Iowa and nearly all programs in our neighboring states," Herrera said. "This is a smart investment that will benefit our students and their future employers, our partnering school districts."

In addition to the traditional on-campus program, which attracts incoming freshmen and transfer students, the College of Education has also long offered an online transfer program for placebound students with associate degrees seeking to complete their bachelor's degree. More recently, UNI began offering the Purple Pathway for Paraeducators, an online apprenticeship model program that allows working paraeducators to earn their bachelor's in elementary education and special education.

Nearly half of the almost 2,000 teaching majors at UNI choose elementary education, following these various pathways. They are part of a UNI Teacher Education program that continues to produce more than 500 graduates each year.