Hands-on Learning and Research
Get Hands-on, Get Ahead.
At the University of Northern Iowa, faculty and staff prepare you to succeed in your career right after graduation. That means providing plenty of hands-on learning and student research opportunities that allow you to apply principles you’ve learned in class. Whether you’re a teacher practicing classroom management, a future scientist working in a lab or a business student completing an internship, you’ll get a taste of a day in the life of a young professional.
Real-world research right away.
At UNI, research isn’t just for grad students — it’s for you, starting as early as freshman year. You will:
- Engage in student research no matter your disciplines, whether it’s chemistry, psychology, marketing or history
- Work alongside seasoned faculty experts on real research projects
- Gain valuable insights and make an impact in your field early in your academic journey
Put classroom principles into practice.
Each year, UNI’s robust internship program places students in 17,000+ internships. Career Services can even assist you with resume and cover letter writing, search strategies, networking and more. With an internship, you will:
- Build your resume
- Make professional connections
- Gain career skills
- Discover what jobs you do and don’t like
Learning while
making an impact.
Community and curriculum go hand in hand at UNI. Service learning allows you to:
- Connect classroom knowledge with meaningful local service
- Gain real-world experience while making a difference in the community
- Reflect on yourself, your values and your impact
Make the world
your classroom
When UNI students go abroad, they return with more than credits on their transcript. With a study abroad experience, you can:
- Choose from more than 25 countries to visit
- Go for as little as two weeks or as long as a year
- Improve your ability to adapt
- Study something entirely different
- Gain a global perspective
Shape the future of health and wellness.
Health careers are consistently in demand throughout Iowa and the United States. Whether you’re working with simulated patients in our state-of-the-art nursing facility or real clients in the Roy Eblen Speech & Hearing Clinic, you’ll be trained to meet patient needs in one of these high-pressure careers.
Unleash your STEM curiosity.
Whether your interests lie in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, UNI offers hands-on learning in top-notch facilities. From the newly renovated Applied Engineering Building to our cutting-edge high-performance computing lab and our first-in-the-nation SynDaver lab, UNI provides an exceptional learning experience.
Gain a strong foundation in education.
As the top producer of teachers in Iowa, UNI gives future educators a tangible head start. From the very beginning, students step into classrooms, gaining 725+ hours of real-world practice by the time they graduate. Because the best teachers don’t just learn in a lecture hall — they learn by teaching.
Get ready for business.
UNI’s Professional Readiness Program® helps business students gain certifications and skills employers expect, network with business leaders and receive career advice from professors with industry experience. This will help you thrive in today’s fast-paced global business environment. Have your own business idea? Get started with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center!
Present arts expertise.
UNI campus provides the ultimate platform to perfect your craft and showcase your talents as an arts, design, music or theatre major. Participate in one of our 20+ musical ensembles that put on more than 200 concerts each year, play a part in TheatreUNI, which presents 12 productions annually, or craft public art in the Public Art Incubator.
Discover all majors.
If you’re not sure what path you’d like to take in college, browse our majors page. There’s something for every interest, passion and skill set. No matter where you land, the signature hands-on learning approach at UNI will set you up for an exciting college experience and, more importantly, a thriving career.