Build a strong foundation in health educationCourses meet all required endorsement categories as follows:
Additional elective courses may also apply to state requirements.
Health endorsement courses are offered primarily online, with practicing educators in mind. With the exception of one hands-on experience in the summer, courses are offered online via Guided Independent Study (GIS).
Through GIS you can earn credit anytime, anywhere - working at your own pace or taking up to nine months to complete a course. Learn more about GIS
Tentative course scheduleClick on a course title to view the course description (if available).
Required Category: Methods of Teaching Health
On the UNI campus in late June
Required Category: Family Life EducationHPE 4186 Studies in Sexuality Education for School Health Educators -- 3 units
Required Category: Human NutritionNUTR 1030 Basic Nutrition -- 2 units
Required Category: Mental/Emotional HealthHPE 4186 Studies in Mental and Emotional Health for School Health Educators -- 3 units
Required Category: Personal WellnessHPE 4186/5186 Studies in Consumer Health for Educators -- 2 units*
Required Category: Public or Community HealthHPE 4186/5186 Studies in Community and Public Health for the Educator -- 3 units
Required Category: Substance AbuseHPE 4186 Studies in Substance Abuse Prevention for School Educators -- 3 units
Elective courses: Depending on prior coursework, these courses may apply to state requirements.FAM SERV 1020 Family Relationships -- 3 unitsHPE 2160 Medical Terminology -- 2 unitsHPE 4186/5186 Studies in Consumer Health for Educators -- 2 units*SW 4171/5171 Addictions Treatment -- 3 units
*Credit for "Studies in Consumer Health for Educators" may apply toward the Personal Wellness required category OR as an elective. Students who have taken HPELS 1010 Personal Wellness or equivalent have met this requirement.
Distance education students may qualify for financial aid with the following eligibility requirements:
Specific questions about financial aid should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 319-273-2700 or fin-aid@uni.edu
Since its establishment in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School, the University of Northern Iowa has maintained its affirmed commitment to the support of excellence in teacher education. That commitment remains strong as the university continues to prepare students to become teachers, as well as provide opportunities for career advancement in the field of education. In addition to a commitment to teaching, our faculty members are engaged in research, writing and professional development. View UNI's national rankings and honors.
Research findings demonstrate that students of all types of learning styles can succeed in a distance environment. View our tips for being a successful distance learner.
The University of Northern Iowa is committed to providing comprehensive support services for distance education students. The Office of Continuing and Distance Education serves as your primary point of contact in accessing distance education support services, including enrollment services, technical support for online course tools and more. You are also given access to the UNI Rod Library’s print and electronic collections for your convenience. View a complete list of services and support resources.
Please contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at 319-273-5970, 800-648-3864 or distance@uni.edu with any questions. If we don’t have the answer, we will do our best to find it.
You will work with the program coordinator when communicating about the program of study. Once participating in the program, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will work with you one-on-one regarding your progress in the program.
For information about course delivery, please see the "Overview" tab above.
See the "Next Steps" tab above for information. If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator(s) and/or enrollment contact below or contact the Office of Continuing and Distance Education at ContinuingEd@uni.edu.
An application for admission is not required for this program. Please submit an enrollment form at distance.uni.edu/enroll to be registered for coursework.
All students pay the same tuition rate, regardless of location, making it an affordable option for all students.
Tuition for the 2018-19 academic year is $509 per unit of graduate credit or $320 per unit of undergraduate credit and applies to the Studies in Secondary School Health Education Methods on-campus course. Tuition for the remaining Guided Independent Study courses is $253 per unit of credit (undergraduate or graduate), in addition to a $10 enrollment fee per course.
An additional technology fee per course may apply. Tuition and fees are expected to rise each May and are subject to raises throughout the academic year as approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.
To be notified about new Iowa Secondary School Health Education Teaching Endorsement course offerings, please complete the interest form to the right and we will send you information about our offerings as they become available.
If you are a UNI graduate, please contact Joan Smothers in the UNI Registrar's Office at 319-273-2255 or Joan.Smothers@uni.edu for a free transcript analysis to help determine the courses you need to take to complete the endorsement.
If you are not a UNI graduate, contact the Board of Educational Examiners at www.iowa.gov/boee/addition.html#h for transcript analysis. Under "Health", choose "Checklist".
The next step is to enroll in a course. Please see the program schedule tab above for course details and enrollment information.
Questions about course enrollment can be directed to Carolina.Wilson@uni.edu, 319-273-2121 or 800-648-3864.
