Become a Teacher in Iowa

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Teaching in Iowa Snapshot

$54,490Secondary School Teacher Salary
$53,710Elementary School Teacher Salary
$11,150Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statisticspupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

400 E. 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-5294

Explore Featured Degree Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Learn More Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching Learn more about USC Rossier The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching Learn more from Fordham University Fordham University’s online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Learn more about Vanderbilt Peabody Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

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Steps to Becoming a Teacher in Iowa

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 02/06/2019)

1

Prerequisite Coursework in Iowa

All states require at least a Bachelor’s degree to teach. Iowa has additional prerequisite coursework, depending on subject and grade level. Find out more by visiting the IBEE Teacher Endorsements page.

 

2

Iowa Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher Certification Programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area.

 

3

Required Tests for Iowa

Iowa does not require a Basic Skills test, but requires the Praxis II: Subject Tests to prove content proficiency.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms' Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To earn your Iowa teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. Indiana has an Initial certification, valid for a teacher’s first 2 years, as well as Standard and Master Educator certification, both valid for 5 years. All categories are renewable. Visit the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (IBEE) website to find out more about getting your teaching credential in Iowa.

Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

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Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard's Bok Center

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

Earn recognition of your ability to develop and deliver a memorable teaching experience when you receive a premier certificate from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX, upon successful course completion.

Learn more about an 8-week short course from Harvard's Bok Center

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Alternative Certification in Iowa

Iowa offers a Teacher Intern License which allows an applicant with a Bachelor’s GPA of 2.5 or higher, at least 3 years of post-baccalaureate work experience, and the coursework prerequisites to teach high school. The program includes coursework and a one-year teaching internship, culminating in a teaching certification. Veterans may also be eligible for the Troops to Teachers program.

Iowa Teacher Certification Information & Links

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Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in Iowa

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in Iowa, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. For more specific questions about your situation, contact the Iowa Department of Education.

To find out what other state teaching licenses can be used in Iowa, check out our Teacher Certification Reciprocity page on Teach.com.

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Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in Iowa

Iowa Teaching Jobs

The state of Iowa maintains the site Iowa Education Jobs as a recruitment site for school districts to post job listings and prospective teachers to find positions. Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

Iowa Teacher Salary and Incentives

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average teacher in Iowa makes $55,443 per year. Pay rates in Iowa depend on each school district and salary increases with years of experience as well as degree. Increased pay and loan forgiveness are often offered as in incentive to teach in shortage subject areas. Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Iowa Teacher Benefits and Retirement

The Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) handles teacher retirement benefits. Iowa teachers can retire with full benefits if they are at least 55 and their age plus years of service total at least 88, or at least age 62 with at least 20 years of service, or at the age of 65. Iowa teachers receive additional benefits such as health-care plans according to their school district.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Iowa Teacher Shortage Areas

The United States Department of Education defines a Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) as a subject matter or grade level within a state in which there is an inadequate supply of elementary or secondary teachers. The shortage may be caused by teaching positions that are unfilled or are filled by teachers who have temporary certification or teach in in academic subject other than their area of preparation. According to a report by the USDE Office of Postsecondary Education (Pg 58), Iowa has the following Teacher Shortage Areas:

  • Business
  • Pre-K-Grade 3 Regular/Special Education
  • Industrial Technology
  • ESL
  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Agriculture
  • Early Childhood
  • Foreign Language
  • Mathematics
  • Talented and Gifted
  • Special Education
  • Itinerant Hearing Impaired
  • Industrial Technology
  • Science (All Science grades 5-12)
  • Teacher Librarian
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Instructional Strategist I Mild/Moderate
  • Instructional Strategist II Behavior Disorders/Learning Disabilities
  • Instructional Strategist II Mental Disabilities
  • Instructional Strategist II Physical Disabilities
  • Itinerant Visually Impaired

Financial Aid in Iowa

Iowa residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, as well as the TEACH Grant, which gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need school.

Learn more about how to finance your Master's degree on Teach.com.

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Career Advancement

Professional Development for Iowa Teachers

The Iowa Professional Development Model analyzes past and present educational institutions to provide a plan for the future of Iowa education. The model focuses on curriculum, instruction, and assessment to provide ever-improving professional development. The state of Iowa requires that teachers continually apply new learning ideas into the classroom by learning new demonstrations, using new materials, and observing each other.

Benefits of a Master's Degree in Iowa

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience for teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master's degree in the field of education will give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor. After a Master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and have more job security and higher pay.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

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Explore Featured Program Options in Education

Featured Online programs
University Name Type of Program Program Description
University of Southern California Master of Arts in Teaching The online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares you to become a transformative K–12 teacher. Through live online classes and enriching field experiences in your community, you can earn your MAT in less than 18 months without relocating.
Fordham University Master of Science in Teaching The online Master of Science in Teaching program prepares aspiring teachers (grades 1-6) for initial teaching certification or dual certification in teaching and special education.
Harvard University's Bok Center Advanced Certification in Teaching The 8-week Teaching and Learning Strategies for Higher Education online short course is delivered by Harvard’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, in association with HarvardX. Students in this course will engage deeply with the most relevant research on effective teaching methods in the higher education context, while refining their own practices, portfolio, and teaching philosophy.
Vanderbilt University Master of Education in School Counseling Vanderbilt University's Peabody College offers an online Master of Education in human development counseling with a specialization in school counseling for students interested in becoming school counselors and making a meaningful difference in K–12 settings.

Sponsored Program