UNI@IACC
Earn your UNI Degree Without Leaving Home
Access to a four-year degree in Iowa is more attainable than ever with University of Northern Iowa's partnership with Iowa Community Colleges. This partnership with all Iowa community colleges provides seamless access for students completing their associate’s degrees to finish their bachelor’s degrees online through UNI.
UNI @ IACC helps realize UNI’s vision of providing affordable and high-quality educational opportunities to learners who may not have easy access to a four-year degree due to their location, job or life commitments, but who need the degree and training to succeed in Iowa’s high-demand workforce.
Begin coursework as early as May.
Future Ready Award
UNI @ IACC students who meet income and academic eligibility criteria after completing a FAFSA will receive a Future Ready Award that covers the difference between community college and UNI tuition to further expand access to educational opportunities for students who otherwise may not be able to pursue a four-year degree.
Dedicated Support, Close to Home
Through the partnership, these community colleges will have a full-time UNI student support specialist physically available on their campus:
of distance students
would recommend a UNI undergraduate degree completion online program (cumulative satisfaction survey results)
increase in earnings
Employees with a bachelor's degree earn 48% more than those with some college, no degree (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021)
in the nation
Received top honors in U.S. News & World Report's "2025 Best Online Bachelor's Programs"
Contact Us
Whether you're a prospective student interested in additional information about a particular program, or a community college partner with a question, fill out the form or contact Paul for more information!
Paul Sapp
IACC Director
Book an appointment
paul.sapp@uni.edu
319-273-2864
Susan Grau
Transfer Student Specialist
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Iowa Western Community College
Book an appointment
susan.grau@uni.edu
319-273-5574
Online Bachelor Degree Completion Programs
Accounting
- Hybrid delivery with courses delivered online and in-person in Des Moines
- Begin coursework in Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Business Teaching
- Delivered entirely online with some in-person course options
- Begin Summer term (Spring & Fall starts available upon request)
Criminal Justice
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Criminology & Criminal Justice
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Cybersecurity & System Administration
- Delivered online
- Begin Fall or Spring terms
Early Childhood Education Online Transfer Program
- Delivered entirely online with some in-person course options
- Begin Summer term (Spring & Fall starts available upon request)
Elementary Education Online Transfer Program
- Delivered entirely online with some in-person course options
- Begin Summer term (Spring & Fall starts available upon request)
Elementary Education - Purple Pathways for Paraeducators
- Delivered entirely online with option to meet monthly virtually or on the UNI campus
- Begin Fall 2026
Individual Studies: Human Services
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework Spring or Fall terms
Individual Studies: Sports Administration
- Delivered entirely online or in-person
- Begin coursework Spring or Fall terms
Industrial Management
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework in Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Liberal Studies
- Online, hybrid & in-person options
- Begin coursework Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Management: Business Administration
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework Spring, Summer or Fall terms
Managing Business & Organizations
- Delivered entirely online
- Begin coursework Spring or Fall terms
"I was able to work full time, take care of everything in my personal life, and still show up professionally."
— Managing Business & Organizations BAS Program Review
"I had always regretted that I didn't go and do more. UNI's program allowed for an expansion on my education directly in line with the field that I chose."
— Industrial Management BA Program Review
"The amount of support from my professors and advisor was just unparalleled."
— Individual Studies: Human Services BA Program Review
Designed for distance learners
UNI online degree completion programs have been designed and developed with flexibility in mind. Working with a dedicated advisor, learners receive the high-touch support they need to stay on track and navigate university systems.
Additionally, UNI degree outcomes include gaining knowledge and skills employer are seeking – communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, information literacy and adapting to different environments.
History of collaboration
The UNI @ IACC initiative expands on a partnership that began with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) over 25 years ago. What started as a collaboration for placebound students to earn an Elementary Education BA degree, expanded in 2020 to UNI @ DMACC, offering additional online degree completion programs and services to DMACC students.
In 2022, UNI expanded the existing model to a broader, scalable partnership that has received the support of Gov. Kim Reynolds and American Rescue Plan funding to support the expansion. UNI @ IACC now includes access to all Iowa community college graduates.
Expanding access through financial assistance
UNI @ IACC students who meet income and academic eligibility criteria after completing a FAFSA will receive a scholarship that covers the difference between community college and UNI tuition to further expand access to educational opportunities for students who otherwise may not be able to pursue a four-year degree.
Designed for distance learners
UNI online degree completion programs have been designed and developed with flexibility in mind. Working with a dedicated advisor, learners receive the high-touch support they need to stay on track and navigate university systems.
Additionally, UNI degree outcomes include gaining knowledge and skills employer are seeking – communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, information literacy and adapting to different environments.
History of collaboration
The UNI @ IACC initiative expands on a partnership that began with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) over 25 years ago. What started as a collaboration for placebound students to earn an Elementary Education BA degree, expanded in 2020 to UNI @ DMACC, offering additional online degree completion programs and services to DMACC students.
In 2022, UNI expanded the existing model to a broader, scalable partnership that has received the support of Gov. Kim Reynolds and American Rescue Plan funding to support the expansion. UNI @ IACC now includes access to all Iowa community college graduates.
Expanding access through financial assistance
UNI @ IACC students who meet income and academic eligibility criteria after completing a FAFSA will receive a scholarship that covers the difference between community college and UNI tuition to further expand access to educational opportunities for students who otherwise may not be able to pursue a four-year degree.
