About the Department
A leader in teacher education for UNI
One of UNI’s largest and home to the largest individual degree program, the Department of Elementary and Middle Level Education leads the way in representing a legacy of excellence in teacher education.
Fifteen faculty are teachers, scholars, mentors – and among UNI’s leaders. EMLE offers two undergraduate majors, including one with three pathways to a degree. Two master’s programs, including a new option in transformative education, a related graduate certificate and a doctoral area of specialization round out graduate-level options.
As an EMLE undergraduate, you can count on faculty who are ready to teach you how to teach – called pedagogy – and help you master best practices while learning how to create and manage inclusive and welcoming classrooms. As graduate students, you’ll add expertise enhanced by the experience and expertise of your graduate EMLE faculty.
Robin Dada, PhD, leads the department which reflects a new academic alignment at the college, the first change for what was originally Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) since 1970. With UNI since 2018, Dada previously led C&I and served as interim head for special education. She joined UNI after serving as dean of the Zayed University College of Education in the United Arab Emirates.
We’re proud that we nurture, guide and prepare the next generation of Panther elementary education and middle level educators and leaders in transformative education. We welcome your exploration!
What EMLE Offers You
- Faculty with diverse areas of expertise that inform your education and strengthen your own professional development
- A focus on methods and practices of teaching to meet the diverse needs of all learners in inclusive classrooms
- Added flexibility and marketability with dual majors
- Growth as professional educators through flexible, accessible distance education programs and innovative options including stackable certificates for the new master's in transformative education.