Practitioner Preparation

All colleges and universities engaged in practitioner preparation in Iowa are subject to approval by the State Board of Education as provided in the Code of Iowa. Each program must meet the appropriate standards outlined in the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC), Chapter 79, Standards for Practitioner Preparation Programs, or Chapter 77, Standards for Teacher Intern Programs.

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2024 Legislation Support

Technical Support Q&A for Practitioner Preparation Programs

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Annual State of Educator Preparation Reports

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Standards for Practitioner Preparation

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Teaching Endorsements and College/University Programs

Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) Endorsements Lists

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Practitioner Programs in Iowa

Directory of Iowa Practitioner Preparation Programs

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Approval of Out-of-State Online-Only Practitioner Preparation Programs

Process for Approval of Practitioner Preparation Programs Seeking Registration with Iowa College Student Aid Commission

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Approval of Alternative Teacher Certification Programs

In 2024 legislation, HF255, Iowa provided an option for approval of alternative teacher certification programs.

The alternative teacher certification program applies to the Iowa Department of Education for approval and provides to the Department sufficient evidence that the alternative teacher certification program meets all of the following requirements: 

  1. The alternative teacher certification program must operate in at least five states.
  2. The alternative teacher certification program must have been in operation for at least ten years. 
  3. The alternative teacher certification program must incorporate pedagogy training, including an examination, that teaches effective instructional delivery, classroom management and organization, assessment, instructional design, and professional learning and leadership.
  4. The alternative teacher certification program must include the administration of an assessment that is identical to the foundations of reading assessment administered in 2012 as part of the Massachusetts tests, or the most current version of such assessment, and must adhere to the same reporting requirements related to the assessment that this chapter imposes upon higher education institutions, if any.

If the state board of education approves an alternative teacher certification program, the approval shall be for seven years, or less if the state board of education determines that a shorter term is warranted.

If the state board of education approves an alternative teacher certification program, the approved alternative teacher certification program shall submit an annual report to the department, on or before March 15 each year.

For the program approval process and application, see the Alternative Teacher Certification Programs Leading to Temporary Initial Licensure Handbook for Initial Program Approval.

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Alternative Licensure Teacher Intern Program

Iowa colleges or universities may offer an alternative licensure teacher intern preparation program once approved by the State Board of Education. Iowa Administrative Code 281-77 establishes the standards for intern preparation programs.

Applicants for the teacher intern license are required to complete introductory coursework in pedagogy that includes 50 contact hours of field experience with students. Upon successful completion of this introductory program, the applicant qualifies for the teacher intern license which allows him or her to serve as the teacher of record in a high school or in an approved endorsement area during a one year paid teaching internship. This teaching internship is highly supported by the postsecondary institution in partnership with the employing district and/or area education agency and includes extensive supervision and participation in a state-approved mentoring and induction program. During this time the intern completes a teacher intern seminar that includes extension of coursework from the teacher intern introductory program. After the teacher internship year, the intern completes additional coursework and is then eligible for an initial teaching license.

Currently, two intern programs are offered in Iowa:

  1. Morningside University Teacher Intern Program
  2. Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL)
  3. Drake University Teacher Intern Program
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Foundations of Reading Test

The Foundations of Reading Test webpage provides information for teacher candidates and preparation programs about the Foundations of Reading test requirements for educator licensing.

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Teacher Shortage Areas

Iowa teacher shortage areas are designated annually by the Iowa Department of Education. 

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  1. Iowa Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE)
  2. International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership
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