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CEDAR FALLS — In line with legislation requiring Iowa’s public universities to start offering shorter paths to a degree — launching students into the workforce more quickly — the University of Northern Iowa this month debuted a new elementary education “degree in 3” that includes the required student teaching element.

The degree that any freshman starting college with zero credit can earn — as opposed to students who graduate early after bringing with them college credit earned in high school — complies with Iowa’s “College Affordability Act” passed last session.

That bill — House File 440 — directed each of Iowa’s three public universities to “begin efforts to offer at least one baccalaure

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