Responding to legislation, UNI debuts new ‘degree in 3’

CEDAR FALLS — In line with legislation requiring Iowa’s public universities to start offering shorter paths to a degree — launching students into the workforce more quickly — the University of Northern Iowa this month debuted a new elementary education “degree in 3” that includes the required student teaching element.

The degree that any freshman starting college with zero credit can earn — as opposed to students who graduate early after bringing with them college credit earned in high school — complies with Iowa’s “College Affordability Act” passed last session.

That bill — House File 440 — directed each of Iowa’s three public universities to “begin efforts to offer at least one baccalaureate degree program that can be completed in three years.”

“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,” UNI Provost José Herrera said. “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 quickened pace aims to bolster Iowa’s economy, which reports a statewide worker shortage of .88 — meaning Iowa has 88 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Among the jobs with the most openings, according to Iowa Workforce Development’s October report, are teachers, instructors and teaching assistants at every level.

“This is a smart investment that will benefit our students and their future employers, our partnering school districts,” Herrera said, noting elementary education is UNI’s largest major and that offering it in three years aspires to extend the reach of that program, which “prepares more elementary teachers than any other program in the State of Iowa and nearly all programs in our neighboring states.”

How it works

The new pathway, meant for incoming freshmen, maintains the standard requirement of 120 credit hours and includes clinical experiences and student teaching. But the faster, more intensive path to teaching has students taking courses year-round — including winter and summer semesters — rather than taking those periods off, as is typical.

In addition to tuition savings, students pursuing the “degree in 3” program are eligible for up to $5,600 in scholarships toward summer tuition and student teaching stipends, according to UNI.

“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,” UNI College of Education Dean Colleen Mulholland 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.”

UNI’s early elementary education graduates will get a head start in earning first-year teaching salaries starting at about $50,000 in Iowa, officials said. Including both teachers, instructors, and teaching assistants, Iowa Workforce Development this month reports 847 openings — with elementary education listed as a shortage area.

In addition to its traditional on-campus education degree programs, the UNI College of Education also has an online transfer program for placebound students with associate degrees wanting to complete their bachelor’s. And UNI recently started offering a “Purple Pathway for Paraeducators” — an online apprenticeship program allowing working paraeducators to get a bachelor’s in elementary education and special education.

Of UNI’s nearly 2,000 teaching majors, about half choose elementary education.

“They are part of a UNI Teacher Education program that continues to produce more than 500 graduates each year,” according to a UNI announcement of the shortened degree pathway.

UI, Iowa State

Although the University of Iowa doesn’t yet have any specific three-year degree majors, the campus in 2015 debuted an “Iowa Degree in Three” program aimed at helping students in select majors meet their academic mandates in the shorter time frame.

“Iowa Degree in Three is designed for students who are academically prepared to complete more semester hours per term than average or who come to the university with completed college credits,” according to that program’s summary. “It's a flexible, affordable option developed to meet the needs of highly motivated students.”

Majors offered through the program include communication studies, English, history, international studies, marketing and theater arts.

“Three-year programs require students to take a heavier course load and to proceed at a much faster pace,” according to the degree program summary. “Three-year degrees require the same number of credits as four-year options and the same course work.”

Iowa State University likewise has more than 25 degree programs — including in every undergraduate college — that can be completed on an accelerated schedule, including in three years.

“These programs may not be attractive to every student but can be considered one of many options they have for earning their degree,” ISU spokesman Rob Schweers said.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com