New Programs at UNI, ISU

At its June meeting, the Board of Regents will consider approval of a number of new programs at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. If approved, these new programs will expand course offerings to better serve students at both institutions.

At UNI, an expanded offering for its Master of Arts in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs program is on the agenda. The program currently exists as a residential-only offering. This proposal would expand the program to include an online version, meeting the needs of non-traditional students who are already working, but want the master’s degree to further their careers. 

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we're pleased to offer this option to students who prefer the flexibility of online and part-time study while expanding our reach at the same time," said Colleen S. Mulholland, dean of the UNI College of Education  "This program increases our overall UNI Graduate College offerings and will benefit from the expertise of UNI Online and Distance Education, which coordinates nearly 40 online or hybrid undergraduate and graduate programs, certificate and endorsement options.”

Iowa State is requesting six new programs across three colleges, including the college of liberal arts and sciences, the Ivy College of Business and the college of human sciences. 

First, ISU’s requested MS in Artificial Intelligence is intended to enable students to compete for leading-edge positions in the AI space – a high-demand area in industry, non-profit and government. Courses will provide students with the knowledge and core skills needed to apply AI and machine learning techniques to address a wide range of practical problems.

Next, two new program requests in the Ivy College of Business – the Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – will provide new value to business students looking to study at Iowa State. The BS in Human Resource Management will train students to be immediately employable in HR Management roles with potential for leadership, while the BBA is designed as an online general business program targeting working professionals with existing college credit but no degree. Both will provide new education opportunities to an increasingly diverse student body.

Finally, three new programs in the ISU College of Human Sciences will provide needed specialization for students looking for secondary education credentials. The proposed Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education program will provide students with further recognition for their training as a secondary major, while the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Secondary Education will allow students who hold a bachelor’s degree to complete additional requirements needed to be recommended to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for licensure as a secondary teacher. In addition, the MAT: Mathematics Education program will provide a clearer path to a high-demand career in secondary teaching for those who hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. All three proposed programs will make it easier for students at Iowa State to earn licensure as teachers in the state of Iowa.

“Iowa State University continues to pursue innovative academic programs that not only prepare students for successful careers, but also help address Iowa’s workforce needs,” said ISU Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert. “These proposed programs reach every corner of the state, helping middle and high school teachers earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in teaching, offering the Regents’ first stand-alone bachelor’s degree in human resources management, helping place-bound and non-traditional students earn a business degree, and supporting Iowa manufacturers with a new master’s degree in artificial intelligence.”