Professional Licensure Information

Federal regulation (34 CFR 668.408) requires the University of Northern Iowa to determine whether or not our licensure-related programs satisfy the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states where our prospective students are located. Accordingly, we are required to disclose for each program that leads to licensure whether:

1. the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in a specific state; or
2. the program does not meet the educational requirements for professional licensure in a specific state

Because licensing requirements differ dramatically by occupational category, as well as by state, we encourage prospective students to check their state legislative codes to verify whether or not the UNI program will meet their state's educational requirements for licensure.

Counseling

Licensure determinations are still being reviewed for states outside of Iowa. If you reside outside of the state of Iowa, please contact your state’s department of education for licensure requirements.

UNI's Clinical Mental Health Counseling ASC program meets the educational requirements to become a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Iowa. For all other states, it has not been determined if UNI's program  meets educational requirements.

Licensure & Certification Requirements by State: American Counseling Association
NC-Sara Counseling Contacts by State: https://publish.smartsheet.com/cd8f80cca1344508807a367465de3469

Educator Preparation

The Educator Preparation Program at UNI provides coursework which meets the criteria approved for certification by the State of Iowa Department of Education.

Those seeking an education license in another state may review the following document which outlines whether the Iowa License “meets” or “does not meet” that state’s or territory’s provisional license. 

Education Professional Licensure Disclosures

The research completed for the Iowa UNI Licensure Reciprocity was completed by colleagues from all Iowa Higher Education Institutions with Educator Preparation Programs. The research was then verified by another colleague from a different institution to serve as a third-party reviewer. Reviews will occur annually in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE) conference each fall after the previous year’s legislative session has closed.

Contact Information for Each State: https://publish.smartsheet.com/ef449717637a4e9095afa2ac3f22de3f

Educational Leadership

Licensure determinations are still being reviewed for states outside of Iowa. If you reside outside of the state of Iowa, please contact your state’s department of education for licensure requirements.

UNI’s Educational Leadership programs (Principalship, Superintendency, and Special Education Director) meet the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Iowa. For all other states, it has not been determined if UNI’s program meets the educational requirements. 

Social Work

The UNI Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Accreditation verifies that the MSW degree meets the high standards considered essential to providing a high quality social work education, and ensures that every student graduating from a social work program in the U.S. possesses the same requisite skills and knowledge.

The CSWE is recognized across all 50 U.S. states, therefore the UNI MSW degrees meet the educational requirements for professional licensure in every state. Please check with your state to determine whether or not a licensing exam is required.

Licensing Requirements by State: Accreditation of Social Work Boards

Location Policy for Professional Licensure Disclosures

For professional licensure disclosures, UNI will determine a student’s location as the student’s address while actively enrolled in coursework. For example, if a student enrolls in an on-campus program that leads to licensure and is taking courses on the UNI campus, or living in Iowa while enrolled, the student’s location will be considered ‘Iowa’ for the purpose of licensure disclosures. This definition only impacts disclosure requirements for programs designed to meet the educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation. This definition does not apply to a student's residency classification for tuition and fee purposes.