Empower Educators scholarship helps practicing teachers earn credentials this summer
Empower Educators scholarship helps practicing teachers earn credentials this summer
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A new scholarship offered by the University of Northern Iowa College of Education helps practicing teachers begin to earn needed credentials this summer while keeping the cost of graduate-level coursework more affordable.
The Empower Educators Scholarship allows students to earn graduate credit while paying the undergraduate tuition rate. That is a savings of $212 per credit hour for summer session coursework beginning in May, June or July for practicing teachers 1) seeking endorsements in special education, reading (K-8) or early childhood, or 2) starting coursework leading to graduate certificates in artificial intelligence (AI) in education or transformative education.
The specific endorsements are:
- Special Education Endorsements:
- Reading Endorsement: Iowa Reading (K-8) Endorsement - #148 endorsement
- Early Childhood Education Endorsement: Iowa Birth-Grade 3 Inclusive Settings - #1001 endorsement
The summer courses in AI in education and transformative education lead to new graduate certificates which can be stacked to build a master’s degree, part of a new micro-credentialing initiative being launched at UNI which also includes certificate options for those completing additional coursework beyond the strategist and reading endorsement requirements. This can also reduce the cost of a master’s degree if these summer courses are applied through this pathway.
“We know summer is a great time to get ahead on those needed credentials,” says Soh Meacham, associate dean of graduate studies and research at the college. “With these targeted scholarships, we’re able to further assist our students in advancing their careers while helping meet the needs of school districts across the state.”
Students can enroll in the summer sessions now. Scholarships will be awarded based on qualifications and availability of funds. For more about the scholarship and to apply, visit the Empower Educators Scholarship web page. For more about certificate and endorsement options, go to microcredentials.uni.edu.
