The opportunity to finish your degree is here!

The University of Northern Iowa and Des Moines Area Community College have partnered to expand pathways to online degree completion opportunities for students located in and around Des Moines. This partnership expands on a 20+ year history of collaboration with the Elementary Education BA 2+2 program currently offered in Carroll and Ankeny.

Six programs are currently available to DMACC students who wish to continue their education and complete a four-year degree, and all programs can be completed without the need to attend classes in Cedar Falls. Learn more about each of the programs below!

Scholarships available! See below for more information.

Begin your journey to complete your bachelor's degree today.

Interested in a graduate program at a distance?
Discover programs.

This partnership provides DMACC students located in and around Des Moines the opportunity to complete a UNI degree without the need to attend classes in Cedar Falls. Students will enroll in online UNI classes upon completion of a DMACC 2-year degree. The following degree completion pathways and a certificate program are available at a distance (see details and program requirements below).

This degree provides place-bound students with a convenient, flexible alternative to the traditional path to a bachelor's degree. The program is fully accredited and allows you to finish your degree from where you live. This broad-based liberal arts degree focuses on developing the skills students need to excel in the workforce.

NEW! Designed for Associate of Applied Science graduates, this degree completion program focuses on the development of knowledge and professional competencies needed to serve effectively in managerial and supervisory roles.

Providing a seamless pathway to a bachelor's degree, this program is designed for Associate of Applied Science graduates and provides a solid background for career advancement in the fields of criminal justice, including corrections, courts, policing and private security.

UNI and DMACC have partnered for 20+ years to offer this program. Offering place-bound students a pathway to a bachelor's degree without having to leave their community, the Elementary Education Bachelor of Arts program prepares those with an Associate of Arts degree for a career in teaching.

NEW! Prepares students for a variety of organizational roles by providing exposure to core business concepts, including accounting, management, sales, and marketing.

NEW! Help individuals and families build skills for self-empowerment and understand best practices for their relationships and lives.

Certificates and Professional Development:

This certificate focuses on the study of Mandarin Chinese. Students will develop speaking fluency quickly while acquiring cross-cultural communication skills and knowledge of Chinese culture. This certificate can be taken alongside other majors or taken as a non-degree seeking student and completed within 1 1/2 to 2 years.

Scholarships and grants are available through the UNI @ DMACC partnership. For more information and to complete the scholarship application, visit distance.uni.edu/uni-dmacc/scholarship. UNI @ DMACC staff will follow up with students individually.

Why UNI?

Degree programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of nontraditional students who cannot travel to Cedar Falls to attend classes on the UNI campus.
An advisor is assigned to each student and provides a highly individualized experience to assist students in navigating their journey to completing a bachelor's degree.
Distance students have access to UNI's entire set of support services that are designed to promote student success.
We strive to make high-quality degree completion opportunities as accessible to students as possible. Students in these programs pay UNI's standard tuition rate and minimal student fees. Financial Aid is also available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the degree pathways partnership between DMACC / UNI?

This partnership provides DMACC students located in and around Des Moines the opportunity to complete a UNI degree without the need to attend classes in Cedar Falls. Students will enroll in online UNI classes upon completion of a DMACC 2-year degree. There are four degree completion pathways available at a distance (see details above).

Can I take UNI classes on the DMACC campus?

At this time, face-to-face UNI courses are not offered at the DMACC-Urban campus. UNI coursework is completed online through Blackboard and interactive video conferencing platforms.

Who should I work with to get started?

UNI staff members Paul Sapp and Jacie Rogers are both located at the DMACC-Urban campus and are available to answer any questions you might have. Students are welcome to stop by their office, email UNIatDMACC@uni.edu, or call 515-248-7219 to learn more.

What scholarships and grants are available?

Scholarships and grants are available for students looking to complete their bachelor's degree online from UNI. To qualify, students must have earned credit or earned a degree from DMACC, and enroll in one of the online degree completion programs through UNI. For more information and to complete the application, visit distance.uni.edu/uni-dmacc/scholarship. UNI@DMACC staff will follow up with students individually.

Students enrolled in programs through the UNI@DMACC partnership can complete the FAFSA each year at www.fafsa.ed.gov to be eligible for financial aid. Complete the form linked above to learn more!

Please note that Guided Independent Study courses are not eligible to receive financial aid - check with your advisor for more details.

What if the degree I'm interested in isn't available online?

Hundreds of DMACC students transfer to UNI's beautiful campus in Cedar Falls every year. Learn more about the UNI transfer programs at majors.uni.edu.

When can I start?

Bachelor of Liberal Studies and Criminal Justice BAS - Students work with an advisor to complete coursework relevant to their educational goals. Therefore, students are able to start at any time.

Elementary Education BA - Offered using a cohort model in which a group of students progress through the course sequence together, this program begins in the Spring term of odd years. The next scheduled cohort will begin January 2022.

Managing Business and Organizations BAS - We are currently accepting applications for a cohort to begin in August 2021.

Should I apply for admission to UNI?

Yes. Upon completion of your DMACC coursework or 2-year degree, you will apply for admission to one of the four programs listed above at u ni.edu/apply.

How will my UNI advisor help me to earn my degree?

Your UNI advisor is committed to your success and will be there every step of the way as you work toward your degree. Our advisors have deep experience and recognize the unique needs of adult learners.

We hope that you and your advisor will form a trusted partnership during your program.

How long will it take to complete my degree?

This will depend on the program and the number of credits you have already earned. Our degree completion programs typically assume students have already completed an associate’s degree, which leaves around 60 credits to be completed at UNI.

Most programs are designed for part-time enrollment and can be completed in a little over three years.

What are the requirements to apply for the program?

Bachelor of Liberal Studies - 60 hours of transferable college credit or an Associate of Arts degree.

Criminal Justice BAS - Associate of Applied Science degree and a minimum 2.0 GPA

Elementary Education BA - Associate of Arts degree

Managing Business and Organizations BAS - Associate of Applied Science degree, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and at least two years of relevant work experience

Is an online program the same as an on-campus program to employers?

Whether you complete a UNI program online or on-campus, rest assured you are receiving a quality education from dedicated UNI faculty that is designed to launch or elevate your career.

Just as there is no difference in the level of instruction, there is also no difference in how the degree will display on your transcript. All degrees awarded at UNI are accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.

UNI@DMACC in the News

For more information:
Phone: 515-248-7219
Email: UNIatDMACC@uni.edu