UNI's 2+2 project is funded by a U.S. Department of Education (Fund for the Improvement of Education) grant. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), ranking member on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, took the lead in including funding for this project in the appropriations report.
The 2+2 project is also made possible through generous cooperative support from participating community colleges, their communities and the University of Northern Iowa.
A Timeline of the 2+2 Program
UNI and community colleges have successfully offered 2+2 partnership programs since 1995. ALL degree programs include the same classes offered on the UNI campus.
- 1995- UNI/Des Moines Area Community College/Carroll community offer the first 2+2 program in elementary education teaching to fill a need for teachers in central Iowa; 88 graduates as of 2005; 90% teach or work in education in central Iowa. UNI 2+2 was started with federal monies.
- 2002- UNI/DMACC/Carroll offer a technology management/general business concepts BA degree; eight students graduate in May 2004.
- 2003- Early childhood education BA teaching degree added at DMACC/Carroll campus. Technology education teaching major piloted with three community colleges.
- 2005- 2+2 elementary education/special education program begins at three Iowa community colleges. Graduates receive regular Iowa classroom licensure in elementary education and Instruction Strategist I endorsement in special education
- Planning completed to offer Community Health Education, Recreation/Tourism, and Criminology majors.
- 2+2 support services include: access to UNI writing and reading specialists to prepare for the Pre-Professional Skills Test, use of the UNI Library and internet services, on-campus orientations and joint admission for some programs.
- Additional Iowa community colleges and branch campuses collaborate with UNI 2+2 staff and faculty to develop degree programs that match needs
- 2006- UNI receives Best Practice Award for Collaboration with Community Colleges from AACTE.
- 2007- added student cohort at the Ankeny Campus.
- 2009- 29 graduates in Elementary Education (with optional Early Childhood dual major) ** (12 students in Carroll) (17 students in Ankeny)
- 2009- Added student cohort at Boone campus
- 2011- 26 graduates in Elementary Education (with optional Middle Level dual major) ** (5 students in Carroll) (5 students in Boone)(16 students in Ankeny)
- 2013- 19 graduates in Elementary Education (with optional Middle Level Major) **(6 students in Carroll) (13 students in Ankeny)
- 2015- DMACC/UNI Celebrates 20 years of cooperative educational training of
Iowa Elementary Ed teachers.
27 graduates in Elementary Education students 88(3 students in Carroll) (19 Students in Ankeny) (5 students in Quad Cities)
- 2017- 25 graduates in Elementary Education students **(11 students in Carroll) (14 students in Ankeny)