FERPA Training and Certification for Instructors

To ensure the UI campus community is in compliance with FERPA regulations, all UI instructors, including TAs, are required to complete the online FERPA training module and quiz every three years. After having completed the training, instructors will be required to attest to an Annual Certification Notice on January 1st of each year in UI Self Service. Anyone needing administrative access to student records information in MAUI, beyond the class list information, must also complete the MAUI Access Request Form, which requires DEO approval.

Feb 2024 Updated FERPA Compliance Requirements 

FERPA Training Requirements for Instructors (Fall 2022)

FERPA Training Module

UI Faculty and Staff

To complete the online FERPA training module: 

  • View the WFERPA Training Module under "My Trainings" under Employee Self-Service 
  • Select "Enroll in Session"

UI Affiliates and Students

Those individuals that do not have an active University of Iowa HR appointment, such as students or UI Center for Advancement employees, must access FERPA training through Canvas (ICON).  You must have a valid HawkID to gain access to this module. There are two ways to gain access to the FERPA training site.

In-Person FERPA Training

Interested in in-person FERPA Training for your department, college or org?  Contact ui-ferpa@uiowa.edu.

In-person training is not a substitute for the online training mentioned above. Individuals will still need to complete FERPA training through employee self-service.

MAUI Access

Once you have successfully completed the FERPA course Module and quiz (with a score of 80% or better), your MAUI account can be activated.  If you are a new user, you will need to fill out the form requesting access to MAUI.  If you are just reactivating your MAUI account, after you have successfully passed the FERPA quiz you are still unable to login to MAUI, contact reg-access-maui@uiowa.edu . 

What Faculty and Staff Need to Know

This information includes basic FERPA information including your responsibility as a faculty/staff member, explanation of an Educational Record, and Frequently Asked Questions/Senarios from faculty/staff.

FERPA Handbook for Faculty and Staff

This handbook is designed for employees of the University of Iowa in administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff positions, including Campus Safety and UI Health Care staff. 

What are faculty responsibilities regarding FERPA?

Faculty are responsible for controlling access and protecting the student records they access or possess. Faculty should: be conscious and aware of others who may be able to overhear their conversations or see their computer screen; never provide anyone with student information, including schedules; keep confidential papers in filing cabinets and shred rather than trash; post during term and final grades only in MAUI and in ICON – there should be no need to post them elsewhere; never leave graded assignments together in a public place for students to pick up; be sensitive to student privacy; decline requests from parents—please refer them to the Office of the Registrar; never volunteer confidential information in letters of recommendation without first getting specific written consent from the student. When in doubt, reach out and contact the Office of Registrar.

Can faculty members access student records?

Faculty members are considered school officials as defined by FERPA. Faculty members are given access to class and grade rosters as well as to current advisee information. Beyond this, faculty members must demonstrate a legitimate educational interest in order to receive additional student-record access.  Any person with access to student records, regardless of title or status, should consider educational need to know before accessing a record.  Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

How should faculty and staff handle recommendation and reference letters?

Do not include any non-directory information in a recommendation or reference letter unless you are specifically authorized to do so by the requesting student. The student must request the release of this information in writing.