Undergraduate and Teacher Licensure Admission

Click here to view and print Teacher Education Program application packet, which is available as a PDF file. Application materials are submitted on paper to the Office of Education Services.

• October 1: for spring semester admission
  
• March 1: for summer session or fall semester admission
  

Any of these staff members can address questions about applying to the Teacher Education Program

• Dave Tingwald prepares undergraduate applications, and compiles all Teacher Education Program applications, for review by the faculty
  
• Stacy Ervin assists with preparation of undergraduate and graduate application files
  
• Debbie Rogers prepares MAT/MA(B) applications for review by the faculty
• Sue Cline prepares "graduate certification only" applications for review by the faculty.
  

Applications are reviewed twice each year following deadlines listed above. Admission to the teacher education program is competitive. Meeting the application minimum criteria does not ensure program admission. Faculty of each program area (elementary, art, English, foreign language, mathematics, music, social studies, science) review applicants to their program following two application deadlines each year (see above). Admission requirements -- and use of application components in choosing candidates for admission -- may vary by program area. Selection may be determined by academic achievement as reflected in grade point averages and test scores, aptitude as reflected by recommendations and personal statements, and the ability of the program to provide quality instruction and clinical and field experiences.

Application Review Criteria of the Elementary Teacher Education Program are available on the web as a PDF file.

Applicants are notified of admission decisions by email, generally within 4 weeks after the application deadline.

Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree may pursue a teacher education program in one of two ways:

• Undergraduate: Apply online to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as post-baccalaureate student with senior standing. Applicants who completed an undergraduate degree at The University of Iowa should apply for re-entry. Applicants who completed a bachelor's degree at another institution should apply as transfer students.
  
• Graduate: Apply to the Graduate College with objective:
  --Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)  (available in English, Foreign Language, Science);
  --Master of Arts (M.A., Program B) in Social Studies Education; or
  --"certification only."
  

In addition to the other requirements of the application to the Teacher Education Program, applicants who have been enrolled in an education methods course or field experience at another institution are required to submit an additional Student Consent for Release of Records authorizing the College of Education to communicate with the other institution about the applicant's academic performance and professional behaviors. Note that this Student Consent form is different from and additional to the Student Consent form contained in the Teacher Education Program application packet.

See the application to the Teacher Education Program, Section IV. Personal Information, Question 3.

Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate undergraduate applicants with UI and cumulative grade point averages above 2.30 (2.50 beginning with the March 1, 2013, application deadline) who meet all other Application Minimum Criteria may apply for admission under the Special Consideration Policy if the applicant:

1) Has a disability for which the applicant has received academic accommodations. Applicants in this category must supply verification of the accommodation from Student Disability Services as part of their application, and demonstrate that their academic performance has improved with accommodations; and/or

2) Can show evidence of successful experience (three years or more full-time) with students in a preschool or school setting; and/or

3) Will add to the diversity of the teaching profession; and/or

4) Is applying for the secondary Mathematics Teacher Education Program or the secondary Science Teacher Education Program.

Applicants must indicate they are applying under the Special Consideration Policy and explain in a supplemental essay how they qualify under one or more of the categories.

Application Review Criteria for Elementary Teacher Education Program Admission may be viewed as a PDF file and as a web page.

Teacher Education Programs of The University of Iowa are approved preparation programs for teaching in the state of Iowa, and provide good preparation for teaching elsewhere in the United States (U.S.). Successful applicants and students will have strong oral English language competency and demonstrate knowledge of or ability to adapt to the culture of U.S. schools. For non-native speakers of English, TOEFL is required for consideration of an application, if the applicant has not completed a degree at a college or university where English is the language of instruction. International applicants are encouraged to complete the 10 Hour Pre-Admission Volunteer Field Experience in a school that offers a U.S. curriculum.

In addition to applying to the Teacher Education Program through the Office of Education Services, applicants who are not already admitted to The University of Iowa must submit online an application to The University of Iowa through the Office of Admissions.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree, see "Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree," above.

Applicants must have completed 30 semester hours of earned college credit prior to the application deadline.

Certain programs have additional course requirements.  See Additional Program Area Requirements below.

For undergraduate and post-baccalaureate undergraduate admission, UI and Cumulative grade point averages (gpa) of 2.70 (3.00 beginning with the March 1, 2013, application deadline).  For exceptions, see Special Consideration Policy above.

For graduate admission requirements see Graduate Admission.

Certain programs have additional course requirements.  See Additional Program Area Requirements below.

For detailed information see the Teacher Education Program application packet.

Praxis I (PPST or C-PPST) Designated Institution Score Report with minimum scores: 522 cumulative (an average of 174) and no score below 170 on Reading, Writing, and Mathematics tests; or GRE General Test or GRE revised General Test Graduate Institution Report of Scores with minimum scores: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning composite of 900 (General Test; minimum 1080 beginning with the March 1, 2013, application deadline) or 294 (revised General Test; minimum 300 beginning with the March 1, 2013, application deadline), with 3.0 on the Analytical Writing section.

GRE is required for College of Education graduate programs.

For detailed information about Praxis I and GRE test registration and score reporting see the Teacher Education Program application packet.

Applicants to the Teacher Education Program are required to complete a 10 hour volunteer field experience or its equivalent (which could be paid work), prior to consideration of their application. This experience should be: a) in a regular classroom setting in the K-12 grade range, b) under the supervision of a licensed teacher, and c) during the school day.

International applicants are encouraged to complete the 10 Hour Pre-Admission Volunteer Field Experience in a school that offers a U.S. curriculum.

Detailed information and a form for verification of the experiences is provided in the Teacher Education Program application packet.

• Art Education (K-8 and 5-12) Twelve (12) semester hours of Art and Art History Courses completed with a minimum gpa of 3.00.
• Mathematics Education (5-12) Successful completion of Calculus I and II with a gpa of 2.5.
• Music Education (K-8 and 5-12) Admission to the School of Music, successful completion of Music Theory I and II, and a minimum gpa of 3.00 on Music course work.
• English Education (5-12) Completion of 008:005 Introduction to the English Major: Theory and Practice, plus an additional 12 semester hours of English courses, with a minimum gpa of 3.00, and at least one recommendation from a college instructor.
• Foreign Language (5-12) Completion of 12 semester hours of course work in language of program.

In addition to the requirements listed above, applicants are responsible for ensuring that all components of the Teacher Education Program application are received in the Office of Education Services by the application deadline, including:

• two recommendations
• transcripts of college transfer work
• essay
• resume
• form, Non-Law Enforcement Record Check Request
• form, Student Consent for Release of Records

See the Teacher Education Program application packet for detailed information.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.