On this page...
There are different types of educators in Iowa. Each with different work and preparation requirements.
Back to topTeacher Preparation
A teacher is a professional educator who uses a thorough understanding of:
- content,
- teaching,
- scholastic and development patterns
A teacher also understands:
- individual differences that guide learning and
- creates a supportive and safe learning environment.
A teacher:
- prepares and delivers lessons,
- provides feedback,
- manages classroom materials,
- navigates coursework,
- collaborates with other professionals and
- talks with parents.
Teacher Requirements
- Bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution.
- Complete all:
- teacher preparation program requirements:
- coursework and
- clinical experiences.
- teacher preparation program requirements:
- Follows one of two pathways to become a teacher:
- traditional or
- alternative licensure.
Traditional Pathway
Iowa has 29 colleges and universities with traditional educator preparation programs. Most programs have options for face-to-face and online courses.
On this path you will:
- attend classes,
- content knowledge and
- teaching methods,
- be [art pf a supervised clinical experience in PK-12 schools, and
- student teach for 14 weeks.
Alternative License Pathway
There are two alternative license programs. These are for high school teachers only.
Alternative programs are for adults with a degree in a teaching field. You take 12-18 credits of coursework in how to teach. Then you work in a high school with an intern license. This allows you to:
- be a classroom teacher of record,
- be paid as a full-time teacher, and
- have significant support from the program faculty and high school.
After the full-year internship, you take a few more credits then become a licensed teacher.
Teacher Preparation Programs
Traditional Teacher Programs
| Institution | Program Levels |
|---|---|
| Briar Cliff University, Sioux City | Elementary, Secondary |
| Buena Vista University, Storm Lake | Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary |
| Central College, Pella | Elementary, Secondary |
| Clarke University, Dubuque | Elementary, Secondary |
| Coe College, Cedar Rapids | Elementary, Secondary |
| Cornell College, Mount Vernon | Elementary, Secondary |
| Dordt University, Sioux City | Elementary, Secondary |
| Drake University, Des Moines | Elementary, Secondary |
| Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque | Elementary, Secondary |
| Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny | Elementary, Secondary |
| Graceland University, Lamoni | Elementary, Secondary |
| Grand View University, Des Moines | Elementary, Secondary |
| Grinnell College, Grinnell | Secondary |
| Iowa State University, Ames | Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary |
| Loras College, Dubuque | Elementary, Secondary |
| Luther College, Decorah | Elementary, Secondary |
| Morningside College, Sioux City | Elementary, Secondary |
| Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids | Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary |
| Northwestern College, Orange City | Elementary, Secondary |
| Saint Ambrose University, Davenport | Elementary, Secondary |
| Simpson College, Indianola | Elementary, Secondary |
| University of Dubuque, Dubuque | Elementary, Secondary |
| University of Iowa, Iowa City | Elementary, Secondary |
| University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls | Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary |
| Upper Iowa University, Fayette | Elementary, Secondary |
| Waldorf University, Forest City | Elementary, Secondary |
| Wartburg College, Waverly | Elementary, Secondary |
| William Penn University, Oskaloosa | Elementary, Secondary |
Alternate License Programs
| Institution | Program Grade Levels |
|---|---|
| Morningside College, Sioux City | Secondary |
| Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL), Three Regent Universities Consortium | Secondary |
Administrator Preparation
There are two types of certified administrators:
- principals
- superintendents
Principals shape a school's success.
They:
- support learning,
- build leaders,
- improves teaching,
- manage people and
- track data and processes.
Superintendents are the top mangers of the school district.
They decide about:
- facilities
- messaging
- programs
- spending
- staffing and
- follow the direction of the school board.
Administrator Requirements
- Master's degree for principal
- Specialist for superintendent
- Three years' experience as a classroom teacher
Administrator Preparation Programs
| Institution | Program Levels |
|---|---|
| Buena Vista University, Storm Lake | Principal |
| Dordt University, Sioux Center | Principal |
| Drake University, Des Moines | Principal, Superintendent |
| Iowa Principal Leadership Academy, Prairie Lakes AEA | Principal |
| Iowa State University, Ames | Principal, Superintendent |
| Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids | Principal |
| Northwestern College, Orange City | Principal |
| Viterbo University, West Des Moines | Principal |
| University of Iowa, Iowa City | Principal, Superintendent |
| University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls | Principal, Superintendent |
Paraeducator
A paraeducator works under the supervision of a teacher. They have the responsibility to design and provide education and related programs. Other titles for an educational aide include:
- paraprofessional
- educational aide
- associate aide or
- instructional aide.
Paraeducator Requirements
- A high school diploma or GED.
- A 90-hour preparation program, including clinical experiences.
- A certification in specific concentration areas.
- 45 hours of preparation in each concentration area.
Paraeducator Certification Programs
| Institution | Program Levels |
|---|---|
| Buena Vista University, Storm Lake | Generalist |
| Central Rivers AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs |
| Des Moines Area Community College | Generalist |
| Dordt University, Sioux Center | Generalist |
| Grand View University, Des Moines | Generalist |
| Grant Wood AEA | Generalist |
| Great Prairie AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs, English as a Second Language |
| Green Hills AEA | Generalist |
| Hawkeye Community College | Generalist, Early Childhood |
| Heartland AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs, Library Media Tech, English as a Second Language |
| Indian Hills Community College | Generalist |
| Iowa Central Community College | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs |
| Iowa Valley Community College District | Generalist |
| Iowa Western Community College | Generalist, Early Childhood |
| Keystone AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood |
| Kirkwood Community College | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs, English as a Second Language, Career and Transition, Vision Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Advanced Generalist |
| Mississippi Bend AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorders, School Library Media |
| Mount Mercy University | Generalist |
| North Iowa Area Community College | Generalist |
| Northwest AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Autism, School Library Media |
| Northwest Iowa Community College | Generalist |
| Prairie Lakes AEA | Generalist, Early Childhood, Special Needs |
| University of Dubuque, Dubuque | Generalist |
| University of Iowa, Iowa City | Generalist |
| Upper Iowa University, Fayette | Generalist |
Other Education Professionals
Other professional educators include:
- counselors,
- speech-language pathologists,
- social workers,
- psychologists and others.
These professionals may work in schools or in Area Educational Association settings.
There are two ways to be licensed for these positions. Both are provided by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)
- A Statement of Professional Recognition from the BOEE. This is based on licensure through the Iowa Department of Public Health.
- A Professional Service License from the BOEE. This follows completion of a program through an Iowa Institution of Higher Education.
Other Professional Program Requirements
- Bachelor's degree.
- Master's degree for some programs.
- Complete all program requirements.
- Coursework and clinical experiences.
Other Professional Program Preparation Programs
| Institution | Program Levels |
|---|---|
| Buena Vista University, Storm Lake | Professional School Counselor |
| Drake University, Des Moines | Professional School Counselor |
| Grand View University, Des Moines | Professional School Counselor, School Social Worker |
| Loras College, Dubuque | Professional School Counselor |
| Northwestern College, Orange City | Professional School Counselor |
| Saint Ambrose University, Davenport | Speech-Language Pathologist, School Social Worker |
| Upper Iowa University, Fayette | Professional School Counselor |
| University of Iowa, Iowa City | Audiologist, Librarian, Professional School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, Speech-Language Pathologist |
| University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls | Librarian, Professional School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, Speech-Language Pathologist |
Teacher & Educational Aide Registered Apprenticeship Program
A pilot program for public school districts partnering with:
- a community college
- a four-year
- a university
This partnership provides:
- High School and Adult-to-Educational Aide Registered Apprenticeship
- This program helps high school students and working adults.
- You can begin working as an educational aide while earning credit toward an associate degree.
- Educational Aide-to-Teacher Registered Apprenticeship
- You can work while earning credit toward a bachelor's degree and teaching license.
Program Details
Visit the Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program webpage for more detailed information about the pilot program.
Contacts
- For Registered Apprenticeship - Iowa Workforce Development - Jennifer Gray at jennifer.gray@iwd.iowa.gov
- For Educator and Educational Aide Preparation - Maryam Rod Szabo at maryamrodszabo@iowa.gov
- For Licensure and Certification - Joanne Tubbs at joanne.tubbs@iowa.gov
Note: Include one of these subject lines of the email: Funding, Program Registration, Technical Assistance or Reporting.
Back to top