LESE Programs

The Department of Literacy, Early Childhood and Special Education’s academic programs encompass four primary areas of focus in undergraduate and graduate studies: 

  • Early childhood education
  • Literacy education
  • School library studies
  • Special and inclusive education

Faculty also teach and mentor students in the primarily online Doctor of Education program which includes academic areas of specialization in curriculum and instruction and, within educational leadership, director of special education. 

A particular strength: an expanding array of online endorsement and graduate certificates associated with these disciplines. These offer practicing teachers flexibility in meeting career and academic goals. Depending on the coursework, certain graduate certificates are stackable and can be applied to a master's degree in transformative education. 

Academic Areas of Focus

Early Childhood Education

As society increasingly recognizes the value of early childhood education, LESE maintains a commitment which began more than a century ago to educate teachers of young children. We prepare teachers to serve the needs of all children, including special learning needs and diverse linguistic backgrounds. This includes a unified approach to curriculum, providing the foundation to earn endorsements to teach early childhood and special education (#1001). 

At the graduate level, you’ll grow as a leader in your knowledge base of theory of practice, leadership and scholarship with multiple options to achieve your goals. The quality of this online program is recognized by U.S. News and World Report. 

Early childhood education
Minor 
Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts
Graduate Certificates: 
Childhood diversity and learning 
Special and inclusive education for young learners
Inclusive education 
Endorsements:
Early childhood education 
 

Literacy Education

Faculty with years of K-12 teaching experience guide you through one of UNI’s leading minors and graduate-level program offerings. In the classroom, as part of the internship experience and additional outlets including the UNI Literacy Clinic, you gain additional expertise in teaching reading, writing, listening and speaking that school districts value. A new Science of Reading Makerspace serves as a hands-on learning lab. 

Graduate students can take the next step and bolster their skills via flexible graduate education options including endorsements, graduate certificates and the online MAE program, part of the master’s in education and online programming recognized by U.S. News & World Report as among the best. 

Literacy Education
Minor
Master of Arts 
Graduate Certificates:
Literacy Leadership Reading K-8
Endorsements:
Reading K-8 or 5-12
Reading Specialist K-12 

School Library Studies

This program, offered in some form institutionally since the 1940s, can claim 50 percent of Iowa’s currently practicing teacher librarians among its alumni. Coursework options lead to the Iowa teacher librarian and reading endorsements and the MA degree in school library studies, positioning you for career growth while meeting a continuing, significant need in districts statewide. 

This online, cohort-based program is designed for your convenience as most students are full-time teachers. It generally takes two years, depending on your pace. All courses integrate literacy and technology skills, preparing you to lead school-wide learning and to gain your K-12, K-8 or 5-12 teacher librarian endorsement. 

School Library Studies
Master of Arts
Endorsements: 
Reading K-8 or 5-12 Endorsement
K-8 School Teacher Librarian Endorsement
5-23 School Teacher Librarian Endorsement
K-12 School Teacher Librarian Endorsement 

Special and Inclusive Education

Special and inclusive education faculty and staff are passionately committed to a field which continues to see high demand and need. By choosing this minor, you benefit from staff expertise in multiple areas—disability studies, assistive technology, literacy, culture—and gain the knowledge you need to work with a wide range of learning, behavioral, intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

Ready to advance your career? You now have multiple online options through endorsement pathways and graduate-level certificates. This includes coursework for working with mild/moderate, intellectual disabilities and behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. The goal: to help you become an effective teacher of all students. And, to help all students reach their full potential.  

Special and Inclusive Education
Minors 
Early childhood special education 
Special education teaching (Strategist I or II)
Endorsements/Graduate Certificates: 
Strategist I: Mild/Moderate, K-8, 5-12
Strategist II: Intellectual Disabilities (K-12)
Strategist II: Behavioral Disorders/Learning Disabilities (K-12) 
Inclusive Education (certificate only) 
Advanced Studies Certificate:
Director of Special Education