CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A new initiative at the University of Northern Iowa offers an enhanced set of micro-credentials in the form of certificates and Iowa teaching endorsements to meet the needs of learners seeking flexibility in achieving their educational goals. These targeted programs deliver focused skill development in a condensed time frame, while providing opportunities to earn a master’s degree. Applications are now being accepted for students to start coursework in the upcoming summer session beginning May 19.

The initiative features new certificate programs in high-demand areas such as special education, learning technologies and artificial intelligence. In addition, several of the new certificate programs can be stacked into a master’s degree, allowing educators and professionals to earn credentials quickly while working toward an advanced degree. 

“This initiative allows us to deliver education in innovative ways, offering micro-credentials to learners who may not be currently pursuing a traditional degree. By strategically bundling our existing coursework into certificates, we have expanded program offerings and simplified the application and enrollment processes. This allows learners to start earning valuable credentials right away, with dedicated support to help them advance quickly in their careers,” explains Stephanie Huffman, dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. 

Included in the new offerings are several graduate certificates in the UNI College of Education: artificial intelligence (AI) in education, online teaching, learning technologies, instructional design, transformative education and special education strategist. These programs are designed specifically for educators who are looking to gain teaching endorsements and specialize in new areas. In addition, these are perfect for teachers who are interested in earning their graduate degree, as these can be used to satisfy one or more content areas in our stackable master’s degree programs. 

“We know there are many options when it comes to earning endorsements, certificates and graduate degrees,” says Colleen Mulholland, dean of the College of Education. “That’s why we consciously developed these programs to be flexible and affordable — helping our Iowa teachers and professionals gain high-demand skills quickly while making progress toward a graduate degree in a way that fits their timeline and budget.”

For summer 2025, scholarships are also available for select endorsement and graduate certificate programs for educators, allowing students to earn graduate credit while paying the undergraduate tuition rate. Interested students can learn more about the scholarship on the Empower Educators scholarship website.

For information on all available programs as well as admissions and enrollment information, visit microcredentials.uni.edu.