Central College has been approved by the state of Iowa to offer the early childhood/special education unified endorsement in its education department. Central becomes one of nine teacher preparation institutions in Iowa to offer this endorsement, the Pella college said in a release. Central sought approval for the endorsement to fill a need for additional workforce in early childhood education. Additionally, there is an increased demand for teachers with this credentialing at a state and national level, and current and prospective students expressed a desire for Central to offer the endorsement. The college is working with Pella Community Schools and Des Moines Area Community College to develop a memorandum of agreement to help create varying pathways to early childhood employment. New courses have been approved and Central has hired a tenure-line professor to start in August to offer this endorsement.