The University of Northern Iowa is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States and continues its endeavors to meet the needs of higher education and advanced preparation in diverse career fields with a strong and growing graduate program. Graduate degree programs were initiated at UNI in 1951 when the University was authorized by the Board of Regents to offer a program of graduate work leading to the Master of Arts in Education; the program began with the summer session of 1952. In 1960 the graduate program was extended with the addition of a sixth-year program leading to the Specialist in Education degree. The addition of the Ed.D. program, approved by the State Board of Regents in 1982, enables UNI to offer a complete course of professional preparation for the educational practitioner. Three specializations are available through this degree program: counseling, curriculum, and instruction, and educational administration.
In recognition of a more general need for advanced study, the University further expanded the graduate program in 1965 with the addition of the Master of Arts degree. This program is open to students who plan to pursue careers in fields other than education and is available, as well, to students interested in doing advanced work in teaching fields.
Elementary, secondary, and college level. More advanced study in these areas was made possible under the program leading to the Specialist degree inaugurated in 1970.
The addition of the Master of Business Administration degree in 1975, the Master of Music degree in 1976, the Master of Public Policy in 1991, and the Master of Science in 1993 demonstrates the University's continued recognition of the changing needs of higher education and the institution's desire to meet those needs. The M.B.A. degree is open to students whose career interests are in the fields of business and is structured in its presentation to those already working in the general community as well as students who have not yet entered their major career field. The Master of Music is a professional degree designed for the student planning a career in college or secondary school teaching, for a performance career as a professional musician or composer, or for further study at the doctoral level. The Master of Public Policy is an inter-disciplinary professional degree preparing students for careers principally in the public sector. The program is structured to accommodate both full-time students and those already in positions in public organizations. The Master of Science degree is offered in Biology, Computer Science and Environmental Science/Technology and is designed to prepare students for positions in those areas.
The Doctor of Industrial Technology, which is the University's first doctoral program, was authorized by the State Board of Regents to begin with the 1978 fall semester. This doctoral program provides advanced-level study in industrial technology for a wide variety of professional fields and includes the study of the technological systems used in industry and their effect on society and culture.
Graduate majors are available in most departments, and graduate-level courses are offered by all departments of the University.
Those who wish to continue their professional and cultural growth without fulfilling the requirements for a graduate degree may do so if they satisfy the requirements for admission to graduate study.