Iowa Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher in Iowa

There are several levels of Iowa teacher certification: Initial, Standard, and Master Educator. The Initial certificate is valid for two years. Once two years of successful teaching are accomplished (based upon local evaluations), teachers may apply for a Standard License which is valid for five years. Both Initial and Standard certificates may be renewed. Teachers may also earn a Master Educator License by successfully completing five years of teaching and earning a master’s degree in the endorsement area.

Quick Guide

Spotlight School

Kaplan University

Popular Programs:

  • MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
  • MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)

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Iowa Teacher Education Requirements

Iowa State SealAs is the case with other states, Iowa has specific educational requirements for individuals who wish to become a teacher in Iowa. In order to obtain an Initial Teaching License, a bachelor’s degree must be acquired at a regionally accredited institution, and an approved teacher preparation program with a human relations component must be completed. After receiving a teaching license, holders must complete additional educational requirements to keep that license. In order to renew a Standard license, six credits are needed every five years, and four credits are required every five years to renew a Master Educator License.

Iowa Teacher Outlook as of 2012
In January 2012, the US Department of Labor Statistics reported Iowa’s unemployment rate at 6.1%, well below the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply & Demand System projects 2,260 annual openings in education and library related fields in Iowa through 2018. In fall 2008 and 2007 respectively, the National Center for Education Statistics listed 35,961 public school and 3,410 private school teachers employed in Iowa. Iowa’s average beginning salary is $32,001 and the average overall salary is $49,844, the 26th highest in the nation according to the National Education Association. The NEA cites math, science, special education and ESL as the subjects with the greatest need for specialized teachers. Job openings in education related fields are expected to increase in the next several years due to wave of expected retirements, especially in specialized 7-12 fields such as science and math. Contact teaching and education schools in Iowa for more information on certification and the current job market. For information of education legislation and policy visit The Iowa State Education Association, the largest active teachers union in Iowa.

Iowa Teacher Testing Requirements

Iowa’s testing requirements for teacher candidates are designed to ensure that applicants fulfill the US Department of Education’s “Highly Qualified Teacher” designation. Elementary teachers must pass a Praxis II content test. Secondary teachers are not required to pass a content test because their preparation through an education program provides them with thorough content knowledge and meets the requirements of the “Highly Qualified Teacher” status.

Iowa Teacher Salary and Jobs

Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 3,200 $28,060
Kindergarten Teachers 1,680 $45,490
Elementary School Teachers 17,040 $47,190
Middle School Teachers 6,370 $49,490
Secondary School Teachers 12,390 $46,250

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.

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Profiles of Well Known Schools

Iowa State University: Iowa State University is a public university located in Ames, Iowa. The university is home to several thousand students, many of which are studying education. The ISU School of Education is dedicated to preparing the educators of today and the future with innovate classroom instruction and plenty of time spent out in the field for undergraduates to get exposed to the rigors and methods of teaching and educating. The elementary education major is far and away the most popular at the undergraduate level at the institution. All coursework is grounded in humanities and social sciences so that students get a well-rounded education that expands their worldview. The graduate offerings are designed for current educators wanting to increase their education and skills in order to advance or change career direction. Graduate degrees are offered for a variety of academic areas including k-12 instruction, administration, leadership, counseling, technology, and policy.

University of Iowa: The College of Education at University of Iowa is known for its stellar reputation for research and instruction. The mission of the College is to develop reflective professionals that are scholarly minded in the areas of research, best practices and theory who can apply what they know to the benefit of society. The College is currently undergoing dramatic changes to its structure and curriculum as the winds of change are altering the landscape of education in this country. The University of Iowa was founded a mere 59 days after Iowa became a state. The school’s rich tradition in education goes back to it nascent beginnings as five of the first six degrees conferred by the institution were in education. The University of Iowa holds the distinction of creating the country’s first permanent college level education department. Today the College of Education confers several degrees in dozens of majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College is currently engaged in focusing its resources on STEM education in rural locations in partnership with other state institutions and agencies.

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School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Iowa

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

University of Phoenix

Popular Programs:

  • M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
  • M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
  • B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
  • A.A. in Elementary Education
  • And more...
California University of Pennsylvania

Popular Programs:

  • Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
  • Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
  • MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
  • Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
  • And more...
Penn Foster Schools

Popular Programs:

  • Teacher Aide
Colorado Technical University Online

Popular Programs:

  • Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
  • Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
Post University

Popular Programs:

  • Master of Education in Teaching & Learning
  • Master of Education (M.ED.)
  • A.S. in Early Childhood Education
  • B.S. in Child Studies

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Iowa

Briar Cliff University
3303 Rebecca St
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 279-5321
www.briarcliff.edu/prospective_students/admissions_team.aspx

Buena Vista University
610 W 4th St
Storm Lake, IA 50588
(712) 749-2400

Central College
812 University
Pella, IA 50219
(641) 628-5286
www.central.edu/admission/index.html

Clarke College
1550 Clarke Dr
Dubuque, IA 52001-3198
(563) 588-6300

Cornell College
600 First St. SW
Mount Vernon, IA 52314-1098
(319) 895-4000
www.cornellcollege.edu/admissions/index.shtml

Dordt College
498 4th Ave NE
Sioux Center, IA 51250-1697
(712) 722-6000
www.dordt.edu/main/prospective_students

Drake University
2507 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311-4505
(515) 271-2011
www.drake.edu/admission

Student Review: “The practical side of Drake University’s teaching program was terrific, but I felt the instructors in my first year of the program to be lacking in abilities. To be brutally honest, the introductory classes were way too easy to navigate. I don’t mind easy classes, but these almost seemed to be a waste of my money. Usually, our assignment was to read a short chapter filled with anecdotes about teaching and then write a reflection on it. The readings were usually interesting, but they did little to teach me about teaching. I did however, love the practical aspects of Drake’s teaching program. I had a fantastic interaction with my practicum teacher, and the 100 hours I spent in a classroom were extremely helpful when I asked myself tough questions such as: Do I really want to do this? I had the chance, on multiple occasions, to work with real students struggling with real problems, and I learned more from that than in any class. In my final year of study, I had three incredible professors who really made the program worth my time, so I will say that the program at Drake is improving.” -Matthew N., student at Drake University

Emmaus Bible College
2570 Asbury Rd
Dubuque, IA 52001-3096
(563) 588-8000

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary
1900 NW 4th St
Ankeny, IA 50023-2152
(515) 964-0601

Graceland University-Lamoni
1 University Place
Lamoni, IA 50140
(641) 784-5000

Grand View University
1200 Grandview Ave
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 263-2800
www.admissions.gvc.edu/

Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2030
(515) 294-5836
www.admissions.iastate.edu/

Student Review: “The moment my first visit began, I knew that I would be attending this school the next fall. It was beautiful and had the major I wanted. I have since grown to enjoy the people and the various activities on campus. The many clubs and student organizations do an excellent job of providing activities every day of the week. I am from out of state, and it was interesting for me that I seemed to make most of my friends with other people from out of state. Even if they were from the other side of the country. After my first year there, I have grown as a person significantly. Overall I love Iowa State. I am literally counting down the days until my return.” -Ryan S., student at Iowa State University

Iowa Wesleyan College
601 N Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641
(319) 385-8021

Loras College
1450 Alta Vista
Dubuque, IA 52004-0178
(563) 588-7100
www.loras.edu/admissions/

Morningside College
1501 Morningside Ave
Sioux City, IA 51106-1751
(712) 274-5000
www.morningside.edu/admissions

Mount Mercy College
1330 Elmhurst Dr NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-4797
(319) 363-8213
www.mtmercy.edu

Northwestern College-Orange City
101 Seventh St SW
Orange City, IA 51041
(712) 707-7000
www.nwciowa.edu/admissions/

Saint Ambrose University
518 W Locust St
Davenport, IA 52803-2898
(563) 333-6000
www.sau.edu/admissions.htm

Simpson College
701 North C St
Indianola, IA 50125
(515) 961-6251
www.simpson.edu/admissions/index.html

University of Dubuque
2000 University Ave
Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 589-3000

University of Iowa
101 Jessup Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242-1316
(319) 335-3500
www.uiowa.edu/admissions/

Student Review: “The University of Iowa combines great academics with a vibrant social environment. The U of I has many well-known academic programs, including its distinguished Writers’ Workshop, a top-ranked psychology department, a law school, and a full hospital and medical school. I especially liked the interdisciplinary focus of the school and the professors’ encouragement to think deeply and abstractly. The university sits in the heart of Iowa City, IA, the quintessential college town with plenty of activities to keep a college student’s social life full. From April to October, students can go to the large farmers’ market for fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. I especially like Prairie Lights bookstore, a world-famous bookstore with a huge selection and a quiet coffee shop. There are a number of good restaurants in all price ranges, including plenty of quick food outlets for students in a rush and buffets for extra hungry students. In recent years, the school has been high on the party school rankings, and sometimes the partying can be over the top, but recent crackdowns in bars have curbed that somewhat.” -Ashley T., student at University of Iowa

University of Northern Iowa
1222 W 27th St
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
(319) 273-2311
www.uni.edu/admissions/

Wartburg College
100 Wartburg Blvd.
Waverly, IA 50677-0903
(319) 352-8200
www.wartburg.edu/admissions

Student Review: “The teaching program at Wartburg is very individualized. They give you the opportunity to get into the field right away and start experiencing what it is like to be in the classroom. The community is very helpful in giving a broad and diverse range of experiences in surrounding schools. The professors are also very good at making each student feel that they are special and unique. They care about us as a person and an educator, and put a lot of heart into their work. Many of them are active members in the community and truly help to make connections between our college career and the career ahead of us. After taking the essential education courses as well as the course required for our major, we are well rounded and experienced. They provide us a chance to not only study methods, but experience teaching them for ourselves.” -Amy N., student at Wartburg College

Western Iowa Tech Community College
4647 Stone Ave
Sioux City, IA 51102-5199
(712) 274-6400
www.witcc.edu/becoming/

Page edited by Charles Sipe.

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