Programs

Supporting the next generation of educators

The Department of Educational Foundations and Professional Experiences (EFPE) spans four primary areas of emphasis:

  • Educator Essentials
  • Professional education
  • Social foundations and educational psychology
  • Secondary education (MAT) 

Each of these emphases shares a connection to teacher preparation, whether working with undergrads seeking their BA in teaching, career changers ready for a new challenge leading middle or high school classrooms---or someone looking to apply an understanding of the educational system to careers other than teaching. 

EFPE faculty and staff bring a mix of academic expertise, scholarly research and practical experience and skill in working within the educational environment to support and guide you on your journey, whatever your background and goals. 

Educational Foundations and Professional Experiences

Areas of Emphasis

Educator Essentials

All UNI Teacher Education students are required to complete a minimum of 18 credit hours selected from more than 20 Educator Essentials courses which provide a shared foundation for teacher preparation. You’ll select one course among six categories, benefiting from an expanded course selection implemented in fall 2025 to give you flexibility in course selection while keeping you on a timely path to graduation. EFPE works with faculty across campus to administer this core set of courses while a core of our faculty also teach several courses. 

Faculty lead: Becky Wilson Hawbaker
Educator Essentials 

Professional Education

Another strong anchor of UNI Teacher Education, professional education ensures hands-on, practical experience vital to your success—and required to earn licensure. EFPE faculty work with all teacher education students in supervision of the final capstone of student teaching. However, they also supervise internship 1 and 2 placements for secondary education (5-12) teaching majors, partnering with methods faculty and mentor teachers to support your success. 

For those who need it, EFPE faculty also oversee the elective course providing 10 hours of pre-program field experience also required for licensure. 

Professional Education
Faculty lead: 

Social Foundations & Educational Psychology

Faculty with expertise in areas ranging from the educational psychology of leadership and motivation in the classroom to understanding societal trends and context in education form a core of EFPE faculty who connect with teacher education students at all levels (early childhood, elementary, middle level and secondary). They bring a broad perspective to subjects like how students learn, how to assess that learning and the evolving framework of education, often supplemented by scholarly research. Faculty lead courses within Educator Essentials and support degree offerings within EFPE.

Social Foundations & Educational Psychology
Faculty lead: 
Educational Studies Minor 

 

Secondary Education

Newly added in 2025, this online Master of Arts in Teaching program offers career changers the ability to get their teaching license and step into middle and high school classrooms. The degree combines the fundamentals of teaching with their subject matter expertise and features graduate-level courses on methods of teaching, Educator Essentials and professional clinical experiences, along with any other courses needed to meet licensure requirements. 

EFPE faculty oversee the program, help teach and supervise required clinical experiences to support student success. 

Secondary Education
Faculty lead: Benjamin Forsyth
Master of Arts