Undergraduate Degree Overview

Undergraduate Degrees at UNI

The university offers a wide selection of undergraduate degree programs. Explore the options and requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required to complete the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. Students may pursue a teaching program, which is available under the B.A. degree.

Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degree

The purpose of the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree is to offer educational opportunities to those students who have completed an A.A.S degree and are now seeking to complete a four-year degree.  These students are often place-bound and need to take online classes while remaining a full-time employee.

Admission to the Program

Each student entering the program must have earned:
  • an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree from an accredited institution; and
  • a minimum 2.00 grade point average; and
  • two years of relevant work experience.

Total Credit Requirements

A total of at least 120 semester hours of credit, including applicable transferable credit earned, is required for graduation. The total must fulfill the following specifications:

1.      24 hours of UNIFI/General Education classes, as outlined below, of which 9 hours can be transferred in as the Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Reasoning UNIFI categories;

2.      6 hours of Professional Communication, as outlined below;

3.      21-30 hours of Major coursework, from one of the majors listed below;

4.      0-19 hours of elective credit, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit taken at the University of Northern Iowa.

UNIFI/General Education Requirements for B.A.S. Degree

Students must meet the following undergraduate UNIFI/General Education requirements as specified below.

Summary:
Written Communication *3
Oral Communication *3
Quantitative Reasoning *3
*BAS Students are permitted to transfer in courses equivalent to the Written Communication, Oral Communication, and Quantitative Reasoning UNIFI categories. No other classes can be applied to fulfill the UNIFI portion of the BAS degree.
Human Condition - Global3
Human Condition - Domestic3
Scientific Reasoning (lab not required)3
Human Expression3
Responsibility3
Total Hours24

Professional Communication Required Courses for B.A.S. Degree

Required:
COMM 3155Professional and Public Communication3
ENGLISH 3770Technical Writing in Applied Sciences3
Total Hours6

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Degree

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree is generally recognized as the professional undergraduate degree in the visual arts. Students are required to pass a portfolio review for admission to the B.F.A. program in the Department of Art and Graphic Design. Once admitted, students opt for an emphasis in one of the following studio areas in the Department of Art and Graphic Design: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry design and metalsmithing, painting, performance art, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. During their senior year, candidates for this degree are required to present an exhibition of their creative works demonstrating competency in the studio arts.

A minimum of 122 semester hours is required to complete the B.F.A. degree. This degree does not provide for licensure to teach; additional hours are necessary to meet licensure requirements.

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree

Majors in this degree program have the choice of an educational major or two professional majors. The Music Education major carries licensure to teach music in grades K-8 and 5-12. The Performance major with emphases in voice, piano, organ, and band-orchestral instruments, and the Composition-Theory major are professional programs designed to prepare students for careers as artist-performers or composers, or for entrance to graduate schools where further excellence in a performance area might be pursued. Students earning the Bachelor of Music degree are prepared as performers, college teachers, and in all areas where a high degree of music or performing skill is required.

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Music degree.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree

The Bachelor of Science degree should be elected by those students who are preparing for careers in areas where effective application of knowledge and training requires a higher degree of concentration in advanced-level course work.

Requirements include:

  1. A minimum of 56 hours in the program, including at least 36 hours in the subject area;
  2. The completion of an undergraduate research course carrying a minimum of 1 semester hour of credit. This course will result in the completion of a written report, conference presentation, or other scholarly product;
  3. Completion of all other University requirements.

A minimum of 120 semester hours is a graduation requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Degree

Graduates of the University of Northern Iowa's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program emerge as clinically focused and practice-ready nurses who demonstrate proficiency in situational awareness, clinical judgment, and clinical reasoning in the care of patients and families. They will be collaborative members of interprofessional teams. Graduates are prepared with a personal and professional plan for long-term resilience, self-care, lifelong learning, and ethical leadership in diverse nursing settings. The undergraduate nursing program is pursuing candidacy status for accreditation through Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students will complete a total of 412.5 hours of clinical and simulation with 87.5 laboratory hours, which will provide students with the competence to care for patients across the lifespan.

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Degree

The Social Work Department at the University of Northern Iowa is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The undergraduate social work major prepares students for beginning level professional social work practice. The program defines the generalist perspective on practice as "Multidimensional theory, knowledge, and skills used to understand and intervene into diverse human systems in keeping with social work values and ethics." The program contributes to the liberal arts, general education of university students who are not social work majors. Finally, it affords social work students the opportunity to explore advanced methodologies and fields of practice within social work through occasional advanced elective offerings. Practical experience is an important emphasis in this department. Every senior does an internship in a social agency working with clients and supervised by a practicing social worker.

A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) Degree

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) program is offered by the three Iowa Regents’ Universities: University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa. The purpose of the B.L.S. is to offer educational opportunities to those students who are unable to attend college as full-time, on-campus students. Students often use self-paced and other distance learning opportunities to earn credit. This major may not be declared with any other major.

Admission to the Program

Each student entering the program must have earned both:

  1. an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited, two-year college, or at least 24 semester hours of college credit acceptable toward graduation at UNI;
  2. a minimum 2.00 grade point average.

Total Credit Requirements

A total of at least 120 semester hours of credit, including transferable credit earned, is required for graduation. The total must fulfill the following specifications:

  1. 45 semester hours of credit earned at four-year colleges in courses defined as upper-level at the colleges in which courses are taken. At the University of Northern Iowa, upper-level courses are those numbered 3000/4000-level and above;
  2. at least 30 hours of credit earned in the junior and/or senior years in courses at UNI. This total may include nonresidence credit.

UNIFI/General Education Requirements

Students must meet the basic undergraduate core requirements as specified and determined by the policies of the degree-granting institution.

Program Distribution Requirements

To ensure sufficient breadth of study, each student's program must include, in addition to the credit used to fulfill the UNIFI/General Education requirements previously stated, a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit in each of the three (3) areas selected from the following list. Of the total 36 semester hours of credit applied to fulfill this requirement, 24 semester hours must be in upper-level credits as defined by the institution in which the courses are taken, with at least 6 semester hours of upper-level credits in each of the three areas chosen.

  • Humanities
  • Communications and Arts
  • Natural Sciences and Mathematics
  • Social Sciences
  • Professional fields (such as business, applied human sciences, social work, and education)

Information and details regarding admission to the B.L.S. program, evaluation of prior academic work, program advising, and declaration of major may be obtained from Online Education & Individual Studies at 319-273-2504 or online.uni.edu/bls.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the completion of one of the baccalaureate degree programs, there are other specific requirements for graduation which apply to all undergraduate students seeking any bachelor's degree, other than the Bachelor of Liberal Studies and Cooperative Programs. These are listed below. The acceptance and use of transfer credit are subject to limitations in accordance with existing educational policies of the University of Northern Iowa - refer to Transfer Credit Practices listed in the Admission Requirements section of this catalog. Refer to Graduate Degree Requirements for graduation requirements for a graduate degree program.

Residence

At least 32 hours of credit earned in the junior and senior years in courses at this university.

Scholarship

A student seeking the bachelor's degree with licensure to teach must successfully complete student teaching and achieve a cumulative grade index in all course work attempted, at this university and elsewhere, of at least 2.50 to be recommended for graduation. The student must also achieve a cumulative grade index of 2.50 on all work attempted at the University of Northern Iowa.

A student seeking the bachelor's degree (without licensure) must achieve a cumulative grade index in all work attempted, at this university and elsewhere, of at least 2.00 to be recommended for graduation; the student must also achieve a cumulative grade index of 2.00 on all work attempted at the University of Northern Iowa.

Note: A student may be held by their academic department to specific grade point requirements, for the major work and/or graduation, which are higher than the grade point requirements for all university students. Students are advised to refer to the requirements for their specific major.

Communication

Competence in reading, speaking, and writing is required of all candidates seeking degrees or university recommendations for licensure. All students who enter UNI with or after the Fall 1988 semester who are candidates for baccalaureate degrees are required to demonstrate competence in writing by passing the UNIFI/General Education writing course and meeting the writing requirements for their academic major.

Foreign Language Competency Requirement

Students entering UNI who graduated from high school in 1989 or later are required to demonstrate a level of competence in a foreign language (classical or modern) equivalent to the second semester at the college level. One year of foreign language in high school is considered to be equivalent to one semester of foreign language at the university.

The foreign language competency requirement can be satisfied using credit in the following ways:

  1. satisfactory* completion of two years of high school study in one foreign language;
  2. satisfactory* completion of a combination of high school and college credit in one language equivalent to the second semester at the college level;
  3. satisfactory performance in an achievement examination measuring proficiency equivalent to the second semester of college study in one foreign language.
  4. satisfactory* completion of either two years of high school study or one year of college credit or the combined equivalent in American Sign Language (ASL). Study in any other language and culture for the hearing impaired will not automatically satisfy this graduation requirement.

*Satisfactory completion means a minimum grade of C- in the last course taken to meet this requirement.

The following UNI course sequences will satisfy the foreign language competency requirement:

Additional language credit options may be offered, or be transferred to meet this UNI requirement. 

Advanced Courses

At least 10 hours of work in a major in courses numbered 3000/4000-level and taken at this university.

Maximum Credit by Examination

A maximum of 32 semester hours of credit earned by examination or by open credit is applicable toward degree requirements. This includes credit earned by CLEP, by departmental examination, by Advanced Placement, and credit established by examination of other colleges and universities.

Listing of Candidates for Graduation

A student may be listed as a candidate for graduation at the end of a semester if the completion of work for which the student is registered would meet all the requirements for graduation exclusive of grade points, and if the grade points to be earned do not exceed the number which could be earned for the hours for which the student is registered.

Application for Graduation

A student who expects to be graduated at the end of a semester must complete a graduation application at the opening of that semester. This application can be accessed through MyUniverse-Student Center and upon completion is filed with the Office of the Registrar.

Two Concurrent Degrees

A student may pursue two different baccalaureate degrees concurrently. To receive two different degrees concurrently (i.e., B.A/B.S., B.A./B.M.), a student must meet all the requirements for both degrees, (including Residence, Scholarship, Communication, Foreign Language Requirement, Advanced Courses, Maximum Credit by Examination, Listing of Candidates for Graduation, and Application for Graduation designated above).

A student may have a double major, however the university does not grant two of the same degrees concurrently. A student double majoring in two B.A. majors would graduate with one B.A. degree, and the transcript would notate two majors.

Second Baccalaureate Degree (After First Baccalaureate Conferred)

A student may pursue a second baccalaureate degree after a first baccalaureate degree has been conferred. To receive a second baccalaureate degree after first baccalaureate degree has been conferred, a student must meet the requirements for the second degree (including A. Residence, B. Scholarship, E. Advanced Courses, F. Maximum Credit by Examination, G. Listing of Candidates for Graduation, and H. Application for Graduation  designated above), and earning a minimum of 32 hours of "new" credit at UNI.

For example: After evaluation of college transcript, student still needs 20 specified hours of coursework in the major to meet the requirements for that major. Student will need to earn from UNI, the 20 hours for the major (including 10 hours of upper level coursework), plus an additional 12 hours of new credit to meet the minimum 32 hours of credit required for a second baccalaureate degree.

Subsequent Baccalaureate Major, Minor, or Certificate

A student may pursue a subsequent major on a non-degree seeking basis after an initial Baccalaureate degree has been conferred from UNI. Approval of the department of the additional major is needed before starting classes. Minors or certificates may be pursued on a non-degree seeking basis regardless of prior baccalaureate degree, with all minor or certificate coursework being taken at UNI.

All requirements for a subsequent program must be completed (required coursework, GPA requirements, etc.). A student will be classified as undergraduate, non-degree seeking status during the time to complete a subsequent program. At the completion of the program, a notation will be made on the student's transcript, but no additional diploma will be granted, nor will a change be made on the diploma received at the time of graduation for the first Baccalaureate degree.

If 32 or more hours are needed to complete the subsequent major, or if it would lead to a different degree (i.e. Bachelor of Science), the student must apply as a second Baccalaureate degree (see Second Baccalaureate Degree).

University of Northern Iowa Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI)/General Education

Students admitted to the University for the Summer 2022 term or later will follow the UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI)/General Education requirements.

The university’s mission affirms that a general or liberal arts education is an essential component of every undergraduate’s experience at UNI. In keeping with the tradition of liberal learning, the UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI) program emphasizes skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that prepare students for success in an uncertain future, laying a firm foundation so that they can lead fulfilling personal, professional, and civic lives. 

UNIFI is designed to be a flexible program that evolves over time to address the issues we face in a complex and ever-changing world, but its foundational principles are firmly rooted in liberal education. As the Association of American Colleges and Universities explains, “A liberal education is a liberating education in that it frees the mind to seek after the truth unencumbered by dogma, ideology, or preconceived notions. A liberally educated person can think for himself or herself, is both broad- and open-minded, and is, therefore, less susceptible to manipulation or prejudice.” UNI approaches liberal learning with this understanding in mind. By developing intellectual and practical skills of inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, written and oral communication, collaboration and problem solving, ethical and scientific reasoning, students are prepared to play a role in shaping our shared world through democratic processes, to make responsible choices, and to understand that individual goals are always pursued in the context of the human and natural worlds in which we are embedded and on which we all depend for meaning and sustenance. 

(AACU, “What Liberal Education Looks Like: What It Is, Who It’s For, & Where It Happens,” 2020)

Requirements of UNIFI/General Education

Summary (minimum 36 hours for all students, with the exception of those pursuing B.A.S. degree).

Written Communication3
Oral Communication3
Quantitative Reasoning3
Human Condition - Domestic3
Human Condition - Global3
Scientific Reasoning (with lab)3-4
Human Expression3
Responsibility3
Connect *12
Total Hours36-37
*

Students have the option to pursue a nine-twelve hour Multidisciplinary Certificate, listed below, to satisfy the Connect requirement. Students must still earn 12 hours to satisfy the Connect requirement.

Engage (Skills)

Written Communication

Courses in the Written Communication learning area are designed to enhance foundational communication skills and habits of mind necessary for success at UNI and beyond. In addition to the processes of reading, researching, writing, and revising, written communication courses enable students to develop critical thinking skills. 

Select one of the following3
College Writing and Research
Introduction to Writing Studies
Critical Writing About Literature
The Art of Critical Thinking and Writing
First-Year Cornerstone: Integrated Communication I
and First-Year Cornerstone: Integrated Communication II (Both UNIV 1000 & UNIV 1010 must be taken to meet UNIFI Written and Oral Communication requirements)

Oral Communication

Courses in the Oral Communication learning area are designed to enhance foundational communication skills and knowledge necessary for success at UNI and beyond. Oral communication courses also teach active listening, as well as how to engage in civil discourse, especially in diverse groups.

Select one of the following3
Oral Communication
Let's Talk About: (Topic)
First-Year Cornerstone: Integrated Communication I
and First-Year Cornerstone: Integrated Communication II (Both UNIV 1000 & UNIV 1010 must be taken to meet UNIFI Written and Oral Communication requirements)

Quantitative Reasoning

Courses in the Quantitative Reasoning learning area encompass any discipline that uses quantitative methods or formal logic, with an emphasis on courses that demonstrate how such methods can be used to explain reality and achieve meaning. Because these courses address both quantitative reasoning and critical thinking, they locate mathematical skills and reasoning in a context of explaining or solving complex problems.

Select one of the following3
Introduction to Business Economics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Financial Skills for Smart Living
Mathematics in Decision Making
Calling Hogwash: Mathematics for Critical Thinking
Mathematical Reasoning
Calculus I
Elementary Logic
Social Sciences Statistics
Introduction to Statistical Methods
Introduction to Data Science

Discover (Knowledge) 

Human Condition-Domestic

Courses in the Human Condition-Domestic learning area enlarge students’ understanding of the many possible meanings of being human by urging them to branch out beyond their own specific background, enabling them to think about their experience from that broadened perspective. This learning area includes courses from a very wide range of disciplines with a focus on the United States.

Select one of the following3
People of the Great Lakes
Communication and Popular Culture
Media and Power
Crime and Community
Dynamics of Human Development
Development and Learning in Sociocultural Contexts
Survey of American Literature
Multicultural Literature
Human Identity and Relationships
Family Relationships
Exploring Family Diversity
United States History to the Civil War and Emancipation
United States History since the Civil War and Emancipation
Playgrounds to Pixels: Meaningful Gaming
America's Military Past
Maternal and Infant Health
Power & Politics in the U.S.
Political Problems in the U.S.: (topic)
Introduction to Psychology
American Religious Diversity
Introduction to RTNL: Programs, Services and Facilities
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
The Self in Social Context
American Racial and Minoritized Populations
Language Today

Human Condition-Global

Courses in the Human Condition-Global learning area enlarge students’ understanding of the many possible meanings of being human by urging them to branch out beyond their own specific background, enabling them to think about their experience from that broadened perspective. This learning area includes courses from a very wide range of disciplines with global or international focus.

Select one of the following3
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
World Prehistory and the Rise of Civilizations
Climate Change, Human Migration and Conflict
Slavery and Human Trafficking
Survey of Art History I
Survey of Art History II
Global Skills: (topic)
Survey of English Literature from Beginnings to Early Modernity
Survey of Post-1800 English and World Literature
The Holocaust in Literature and Film
Ireland: Literature, Culture, History
Francophone Cross-Cultural Bridges
Global Geography
Peoples, Cultures, and Environments
Making the Modern World
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic)
From Mesopotamia to the Middle Ages: The Premodern West
The Modern West: Technology, Science, & Culture
Constructing Cross-Cultural Bridges
World Philosophies
Perspectives on Death and Dying
International Relations
Global Politics
Global Challenges: (Topic)
Religions of the World
Introduction to Human Rights
Social Movements
Perspectives on Education
Global Social Work
Intercultural Perspectives
Study Abroad: (Topic)
Women's and Gender Studies: Introduction
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
Masculine Cultures

Scientific Reasoning (with Lab)

Courses in the Scientific Reasoning learning area focus on discerning basic principles that explain natural phenomena through observation and analysis of the world. Students learn how scientists rely on theory and experimentation to test and refine understandings of our human minds and bodies, life on earth, and the physical universe. Laboratory courses unite hands-on scientific experimentation, inductive reasoning, and deductive analysis with the study of basic principles. After completing a course in this learning area, students will be able to critique claims using the tools of scientific inquiry.

Select one of the following3-4
Bones & Stones: The Science of Human Origins
and Bones & Stones: The Science of Human Origins Laboratory
Archaeology for Beginners
and Archaeology for Beginners Laboratory
Life: The Natural World
and Life: The Natural World - Lab
Life: Continuity and Change
and Life: Continuity and Change - Lab
General Biology: Organismal Diversity
General Biology: Cell Structure and Function
Principles of Chemistry
Chemical Technology
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I-II
Astronomy
and Astronomy Laboratory
Elements of Weather
and Elements of Weather Laboratory
Introduction to Geology
Introduction to Environmental Earth Science
Planet Earth
and Planet Earth Laboratory
Physics in Everyday Life
and Physics in Everyday Life Laboratory
General Physics I
Physics I for Science and Engineering
Inquiry into Earth and Space Science
Inquiry into Life Science
Inquiry into Physical Science

Human Expression

Courses in the Human Expression learning area include the creation as well as the analysis or interpretation of creative works in the arts. Students engage in a creative process to produce artistic work, and interpret creative works and ideas as expressions of meaning and purpose.

Select one of the following3
Visual Inventions
Visual Perceptions
Introduction to Chinese Literature
Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
Start a Podcast
Literature: (topic)
Elements of Creative Writing
Writing & Healing
The Creative Experience
Introduction to Literature in French
GERO 1059: Understanding Aging Through a Creative Lens
Engaging Sources: (Topic)
Children's Literature
Gamecraft: From Mechanics to Meaning
Soundscapes: Music in Culture
Modern Band and Creative Music Making
The Power of Myth: (Topic)
Introduction to Hispanic Literature
Theatre in Our World
Acting for Non-Majors

Responsibility

Courses in the Responsibility learning area give students the opportunity to develop skills in ethical reasoning, gaining a greater understanding of their personal responsibilities and their roles as citizens. The learning area aims to enable students to move beyond ideological reactions to questions that require careful normative judgment. It does not aim to instill in students a particular moral code, but to help them develop the habits of reasoning based on consistent principles, and judging based on evidence and logic, which they will need as citizens in charge of creating our shared world.

Select one of the following3
Biological Diversity and Conservation
BUSINESS 3159: The Ethics of Global Leadership, Cross-Cultural Negotiations, and Sustainability
Matter Matters
Ethics in Communication
Introduction to Sustainability
CRIM 3159: Get-Rich-Quick Schemes
Natural Resources and Civilizations
Global Water Environment
Economics of Social Issues
Law and Literature
Environmental Literature
Overview of Entrepreneurship
Health in History: (Topic)
Conflict and Justice in History: (Topic)
Conflict and Justice Study Abroad: (Topic)
Beyond the Hype: Artificial Intelligence as Information
Introduction to Public Health
Justice and the Good Life: Philosophical Perspectives
Science, Technology, and Ethics (STE)
Ethics for Professional Life
Ethics in the Age of AI
Bio-Medical Ethics
Becoming Global Citizens
Introduction to Political Theory: Freedom, Justice and Power
Bible and Ethics
Religion and Ethics
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Democracy and Education in the 21st Century
Analyzing Ethics, Personal Decision-Making, and Social Responsibility

Connect

Connect

Select 12 hours from any Engage or Discover UNIFI category *12
*

Students have the option to pursue a nine-twelve hour Multidisciplinary Certificate, listed below, to satisfy the Connect requirement. Students must still earn 12 hours to satisfy the Connect requirement.

Recognizing the value of Study Abroad as a High Impact Practice for our students in an increasingly globalized world, the UNIFI program will accept any short-term, faculty-led UNI Study Abroad course as a Connect Elective. Only one Study Abroad course will count toward the requirements in the Connect tier unless one of these courses has also been individually approved as a UNIFI course in a specific learning area. 

UNIFI Multidisciplinary Certificates

The following certificates are available to any UNI student, and can be used to satisfy the Connect requirement of the UNIFI/General Education program. Students must still earn 12 hours to satisfy the Connect requirement.

Career Success in Organizations Certificate

No matter their major, all UNI students will work within some form of an organization during their careers. Whether a for-purpose, for-profit, or governmental entity, knowledge of factors that influence how organizations operate helps employees more effectively contribute to the mission of the organization. The purpose of this certificate is to provide a broad understanding of organizations including factors that influence decision making, levels of responsibility, data and written/unwritten rules that govern operations, and professional expectations for communicating and interacting within the organization.

Decision-making in Organizations
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Business Economics
Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduction to Public Administration
Leadership and Management in Public Service
Work Psychology: Well-Being
Work Psychology: Performance
Responsibility in Organizations
Complete one of the following:3
Economics of Social Issues
Financial Skills for Smart Living
Overview of Entrepreneurship
Public Budgeting
Numbers in Organizations
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Information Systems
Modern Tools for Exploring Data
Principles of Financial Accounting
Communication in Organizations
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Workplace Writing
Business Communication
Total Hours12

Civic Literacy, Engagement, and the Humanities

This interdisciplinary certificate emphasizes training in civic literacy and the humanities that address how to contribute to the flourishing of a democratic society. It will introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with civic literacy and the humanities disciplines that prepare them for a life of meaningful engagement with democratic processes at the local, regional, national, and international levels.

Civic Knowledge
Complete one of the following:3
Survey of American Literature
United States History to the Civil War and Emancipation
United States History since the Civil War and Emancipation
Power & Politics in the U.S.
International Relations
American Religious Diversity
Religion and the Public Schools
Civic Values
Complete one of the following:3
Democracy and Education in the 21st Century
Argumentation and Debate
Law and Literature
Introduction to Political Theory: Freedom, Justice and Power
Civic Skills
Complete one of the following:3
Religion and Politics: (Topics)
Justice and the Good Life: Philosophical Perspectives
Introduction to Writing Studies
Introduction to Public Administration
Making the Modern World
Total Hours9
*

Only two courses from the same academic department can count toward this certificate.

Creative Expression and Meaning Certificate

Complete one of the following:3
Soundscapes: Music in Culture
Modern Band and Creative Music Making
Complete one of the following:3
Visual Perceptions
Visual Inventions
Complete one of the following:3
Literature: (topic)
Elements of Creative Writing
Writing & Healing
Complete one of the following:3
Theatre in Our World
Acting for Non-Majors
Total Hours12

Critical Thinking and Information Literacy Certificate

Complete one of the following:3
Psychology of Science and Pseudoscience
Character, Wisdom, and Mind: Philosophical Perspectives
Complete one of the following:3
Calling Hogwash: Mathematics for Critical Thinking
Elementary Logic
Complete one of the following:3
Who's Controlling (Y)our Information?: Access, Authority, and Technology
B.S. Detection
Total Hours9

Data Science Certificate

This certificate provide students with the necessary skills to be able to appropriately identify data, analyze and visualize data, and communicate conclusions in quantitative and qualitative domains.

Applied Tools
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Data Science
Introductory Programming for Data Science
Social Issues
Complete one of the following:3
Science, Technology, and Ethics (STE)
Exploring Social Justice Issues through Mathematics
Information Literacy
Complete one of the following:3
B.S. Detection
Who's Controlling (Y)our Information?: Access, Authority, and Technology
Statistics
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Statistical Methods
Social Sciences Statistics
Total Hours12

Developmental Considerations Certificate

Required:
Foundations
Complete one of the following:3
Language Acquisition in Children: Birth to 5 Years
Dynamics of Human Development
Lifespan Development
Developmental Psychology
Movement and Physical Growth
Complete one of the following:3
Motor Learning and Development
Developmental Trends in Physical Activity & Sport
Systems and Health
Complete one of the following:3
Maternal and Infant Health
Child Welfare Policy and Practice
Total Hours9

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate

The purpose of this certificate is for students to explore topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from a variety of different content areas. Students will get an opportunity to critique complex social issues from a variety of lenses; including mathematics/science, gender, religion, history, communication, and/or politics. Students will develop a deeper understanding of a variety of perspectives related to DEI, including critically analyzing social justice issues; debating and understanding the values and ethics related to diverse groups, perspectives, and/or societies; learning about and discussing their own and/or others’ identities; and delve into more global sociocultural issues related to different aspects of culture.

Critical Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Complete one of the following:3
Natural Resources and Civilizations
Exploring Social Justice Issues through Mathematics
Power & Politics in the U.S.
International Relations
Religions of the World
American Religious Diversity
Women's and Gender Studies: Introduction
Ethical Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Complete one of the following:3
Economics of Social Issues
Justice and the Good Life: Philosophical Perspectives
Ethics in Communication
Conflict and Justice in History: (Topic)
Perspectives on Identity
Complete one of the following:3
Maternal and Infant Health
Creativity, Storytelling and Identity
Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
Multicultural Literature
Masculine Cultures
Sociocultural Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Peoples, Cultures, and Environments
United States History to the Civil War and Emancipation
United States History since the Civil War and Emancipation
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic)
Global Social Work
Total Hours12

East Asia Certificate

Emphasizing primarily China and Japan but with some coverage of Korea and Vietnam, the East Asia Certificate introduces material to students from the perspective of four very different academic disciplines, with an emphasis on both East Asian diversity and cultural commonalities

Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Chinese Literature
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic) (Identity, Diversity, and Commonality in East Asia)
Complete one of the following:3
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic) (Becoming Familiar with East Asia - Japan as Example and Exception)
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic) (One Thousand Years of Samurai)
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Chinese Culture: (Topic)
Confucianism, Daoism, and Zen
Total Hours9

Innovation in Leadership Certificate

The Innovation in Leadership Certificate focuses on the intersection of business, nonprofit, and government to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each, leading to creating shared value partnerships to develop innovative responses to solving complex system problems.

Entrepreneurial Fundamentals
Required:3
Financials for the Entrepreneurial Enterprise
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Required:3
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Current and Emerging Issues in Public Administration
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Public Administration
Leadership and Management in Public Service
Nonprofit Leadership
Required:3
Nonprofit Leadership Practicum, Level I
Total Hours12

Sustainability Certificate

This university wide certificate is for students interested in exploring Sustainability. There is one required course with twelve elective credits to reach the minimum of fifteen credits. As students complete this certificate there is a required, non-credit, reflection form and advisor meeting. This form may be obtained from the Sustainability Advising Director. 

Required Course
CONSTR 1015Introduction to Sustainability3
Foundations - Choose one course from two bins6-7
Scientific Reasoning
Life: The Natural World
General Biology: Organismal Diversity
Introduction to Environmental Earth Science
Nature-Society Relations
Physics in Everyday Life
Responsibility
Matter Matters
Natural Resources and Civilizations
Economics of Social Issues
Conflict and Justice in History: (Topic) (with Sustainability theme)
Science, Technology, and Ethics (STE)
Human Condition
Climate Change, Human Migration and Conflict
Exploring Family Diversity
Global Geography
Peoples, Cultures, and Environments
Making the Modern World
Environmental Ethics
Integrative Perspectives - Choose one course from two bins6-7
Natural Systems and Stewardship Dimensions
Evolution, Ecology and the Nature of Science *
Introduction to Geology
Field Studies in ____________
Modern Climate Change: Evidence and Predictions
GIS Applications: (Variable Topic) *
Environmental Health Science
Community Based Tourism
Managing Recreation Impacts on the Natural Environment
Eco, Adventure and Sport Tourism
Social and Cultural Dimensions
Bio-Medical Ethics
Climate Change and Social Justice
Demography and Population Geography
Problems & Perspectives in Global History: (Topic)
U.S. Environmental History
Justice and the Good Life: Philosophical Perspectives
Outdoor Education and Leadership
Cultures and Civilization of Spain *
Business, Technology and Policy Dimensions
Principles of Managerial Accounting *
Biostatistics *
Economics of Sustainability *
Environmental Economics *
Intro to Environmental Data Analysis
Geographic Information Systems I
Environmental Geography: Variable Topic *
Climate Action Planning
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Introduction to Applied Design
Global Supply Chain Management *
Distribution and Logistics *
Introduction to Electronics *
Physical Computing *
Introduction to Public Administration
American State Politics
Applied Statistical Methods for Research *
Fundamentals of Metal Removal
Machine Design *
Lean and Sustainable Operations *
Total Hours15-17
*

Some of the courses listed may require prerequisites prior to enrollment. Consult with the UNI course catalog or appropriate department to determine requirements for the courses.

THRIVE! Certificate

Required:
Physical Domain
Complete one of the following:3
Physical Activity and Nutrition
Introduction to Public Health
Social Domain
Complete one of the following:3
Economics of Social Issues
Human Identity and Relationships
Mental Domain
Complete one of the following:3
The Science and Experience of Human Flourishing
Self-Care and Stress Management in Helping Professions
Financial Domain
Complete one of the following:3
Financials for the Entrepreneurial Enterprise
Financial Skills for Smart Living
Total Hours12

United States Studies Certificate

Students taking the United States Studies Certificate will analyze the diverse experiences and values of the people of the United States and investigate solutions to over-arching problems such as climate change and social inequities.

Complete one of the following:3
American Religious Diversity
Power & Politics in the U.S.
Complete one of the following:3
Survey of American Literature
United States History to the Civil War and Emancipation
United States History since the Civil War and Emancipation
Complete one of the following:3
Multicultural Literature
America's Military Past
Total Hours9

Administrative Policies:

  1. UNIFI/General Education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both the UNIFI program and the major, minor, and program emphases.
  2. Departments offering a UNIFI/General Education course may preclude their major or minor students from taking that particular course to satisfy the requirements for UNIFI/General Education, the major, or the minor.
  3. UNIFI/General Education requirements can be met through CLEP examinations, departmental examinations, and the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board.
  4. No UNIFI/General Education course may be taken for graduate credit.
  5. No UNIFI/General Education course may have a prerequisite with the exception of demonstrated language or math proficiency for placement purposes.
  6. All courses taken to meet UNIFI/General Education requirements must be taken for graded credit or taken as credit by examination as noted in #3 above.
  7. An Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree from any accredited institution of higher education shall be accepted to meet all UNIFI/General Education program requirements.
  8. The UNIFI/General Education requirements apply to all undergraduate degree programs.
  9. Regents Articulation Agreement: The University of Northern Iowa, the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University agree to accept fulfillment of general education at any one of them as equivalent to completion of general education requirements at another, with the following stipulations:
    1. This agreement does not apply to those students who transfer without having fully completed general education prior to transfer.
    2. Validation of fulfillment of general education requirements requires that a student transferring must have met the transfer requirements of the receiving institution with respect to semester hours and grade point average.
    3. When a foreign language proficiency is required, whether within or in addition to general education, a student may meet this requirement at either institution regardless of the institution whose general education requirements the student fulfills.
    4. General education validation is the responsibility of the student transferring and will be completed upon request to the Registrar of the institution from which the student is transferring.

Writing in the General Education/UNIFI and the Disciplines

At UNI, students are expected to write in the general education program, UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI), as well as in each undergraduate major. Writing experience in both UNIFI and the undergraduate majors fosters learning, develops thinking, and introduces students to understanding writing as a process integral to critical inquiry in academic, professional, and personal contexts.  Students may satisfy UNIFI the writing requirement by academic credit earned in one of the following ways (or an equivalent):

  • ENGLISH 1005: College Writing & Research
  • ENGLISH 2015: Introduction to Writing Studies
  • ENGLISH 2120: Critical Writing About Literature
  • PHIL 1050: The Art of Critical Thinking and Writing
  • UNIV 1000 & UNIV 1010: First-Year Cornerstone

Comparable writing instruction and practice may be available for qualified students in writing-enhanced sections of other UNIFI courses.

UNI is committed to helping students become competent writers for different purposes in various settings. Each department sets the writing requirements for its majors; because writing needs vary across disciplines, the requirements and conventions for writing differ across departments.

For students who do not meet the English admissions requirement, and for other students with limited writing experience, ENGLISH 1002 College Writing Basics provides instruction and practice designed to prepare students for success in courses that satisfy the UNIFI Writing requirement.

Cooperative programs 

  • The University of Northern Iowa offers prerequisite coursework for students planning to apply for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Allen College, Waterloo, IA or at other nursing programs.  Allen College has a cooperative agreement with UNI for students admitted into the nursing program. 
  • Dual degree program in Nursing in cooperation with Allen College in Waterloo, IA.  The first three-years of required coursework in sciences and liberal arts are completed at UNI.  The student then will complete nursing courses through the accelerated program at Allen College.  When finished, a student will have a Bachelor of Nursing from Allen College and either a bachelor’s degree in Biology or in Individual Studies – Health Sciences.
  • The University of Northern Iowa offers prerequisite coursework for students planning to apply for allied health programs at Allen College, Waterloo, IA in Diagnostic Medical Sonography  and Medical Laboratory Science. In addition, Allen College has a cooperative agreement with UNI for students admitted into the radiography program.
  • Dual degree program in Medical laboratory Sciences in cooperation with Allen College in Waterloo, IA. The first three-years of required coursework in sciences and liberal arts are completed at UNI. During the fourth year, medical technology courses are finished at Allen College. When finished, Allen College students will earn a bachelor's degree from UNI and a bachelor's degree of Health Sciences from Allen College.
  • Dual degree program in chiropractic medicine with Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, MO; Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA; Cleveland University – Chiropractic & Health Sciences, Overland Park KS; and Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN. The first three-years of required coursework in liberal arts and sciences are completed at UNI.  After one-year of satisfactory completion of chiropractic coursework at the cooperating institution, UNI will award a bachelor’s degree in Biology.  The student will then complete the three additional years of required chiropractic coursework to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from the cooperating program.
  • Dual degree program in podiatric medicine with Des Moines University (DMU) in Des Moines, IA. The first three-years of required coursework in liberal arts and sciences are completed at UNI. After one-year of satisfactory completion of coursework at DMU, UNI will award a bachelor's degree in Biology. The student will then complete the required podiatric coursework to earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) at DMU.
  • Dual degree program in chiropractic medicine with Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA; Palmer College of Chiropractic, Port Orange, FL; and Cleveland University – Chiropractic & Health Sciences. The first three-years of required coursework in liberal arts and sciences are completed at UNI. The student will then complete the three and a half additional years of required chiropractic coursework to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) from the cooperating program. After one-year of satisfactory completion of chiropractic coursework at the cooperating institution, UNI will award a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. 
  • Dual-degree program in physics and engineering in cooperation with Iowa State University (ISU). The first three years of coursework in general education and physics are completed at UNI. During the fourth and fifth years, engineering courses are completed at ISU.  When finished, a student will have a bachelor’s degree in Physics from UNI and bachelor’s degree in Engineering from ISU. 

Residence requirements for students in approved Cooperative Programs, which result in dual degrees, differ from non-Cooperative Programs. For Cooperative programs, students must earn a minimum of 32 credit hours from UNI with a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 3000/4000 level.

A student who expects to transfer to another institution should declare their special interest at the time of admission. The student will be assigned to an advisor who is familiar with the type of program being sought.

Before seeing their advisor for the first time, the student should secure a current copy of the catalog of the school to which the transfer is planned.