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    Mar 28, 2024  
Missouri Baptist University 2018-2019 Graduate Bulletin 
    
Missouri Baptist University 2018-2019 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education


Mission Statement

The School of Education at Missouri Baptist University seeks to develop reflective, problem-solving, professional educators of excellence from a Christian perspective; to enhance the lives of students in the classroom intellectually, spiritually, physically, and socially; and to significantly influence students through the demonstrated integration of Christian faith and learning in the classroom, so that they may become positive change agents in a globally and culturally diverse society.

This means more than simply valuing human diversity; it includes an imperative to promote equity and social justice and to intentionally prepare candidates to develop the knowledge bases, interpersonal skills and dispositions for serving diverse populations. Preparing candidates to become agents of social change is consistent with the Christian perspective and is reflected not only in the classroom, but also in field experiences in diverse settings. Based on its mission, the unit has undertaken the task of ensuring each candidate has experiences in schools with students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, varied racial and ethnic groups, English language learners, and exceptional learners.

The following eight standards serve as the guiding principles by which MBU’s educator preparation programs are measured:

Missouri Baptist University prepares licensure candidates who:

  1. Consistently demonstrate the content, pedagogical, and pedagogical content knowledge necessary to facilitate learning for all students, and to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, competencies, and dispositions defined as appropriate to their area of responsibility.
  2. Analyze and reflect on their practice using a variety of assessment strategies, including action research and are committed to continued professional development.
  3. Observe and practice solutions to problems of practice in diverse clinical settings and with diverse PK-Grade 12 student populations.
  4. Use their self-awareness and knowledge of diversity to create learning environments that support their belief that through active hands-and-mind-on learning, all students can learn challenging curricula.
  5. Demonstrate and promote the strategic use of technology to enhance learning and professional practice.
  6. Support schools, students, and community through leadership, service, and personal involvement.
  7. Develop effective and supportive relationships that enhance communication among students, parents, and colleagues to facilitate learning.
  8. Exhibit empathy for and sensitivity to students and colleagues.
  9. Actively practice the profession’s ethical standards.

Drawing from a rich combination of broad-based experiences and academic preparation, the professional education faculty seeks to facilitate in each student:

  1. The development of an educational posture which is child-centered, experientially and authentically based, and consistent with a Christian perspective;
  2. The enhanced awareness of Christian moral and ethical responsibilities relative to education in a diverse and changing society;
  3. The development of critical thinking and effective problem-solving skills through a variety of traditional technologically-based experiences;
  4. The application of experiential and research-based theories into the pedagogical process.

This program fosters in students a reflective and problem-solving heuristic (model) so that Missouri Baptist University graduates are able to make informed decisions as professional educators.

The program consists of a planned integrated system (pattern) of coursework and authentic learning (field) experiences designed to enable the student to acquire a strong knowledge base and core of subject competencies, as well as to develop constructive social and personal attitudes to serve as a reflective professional in the education field. To that end, all students seeking state certification within the School of Education at Missouri Baptist University are expected to know and to be able to demonstrate their competency.

Those seeking initial certification to teach must demonstrate their competency in the nine (9) Missouri Teacher Standards as adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education:

  1.  Content Knowledge Aligned with Appropriate Instruction
  2. Student Learning, Growth, and Development
  3. Curriculum Implementation
  4. Critical Thinking
  5. Positive Classroom Environment
  6. Effective Communication
  7. Student Assessment and Data Analysis
  8. Professionalism
  9. Professional Collaboration

Those seeking initial certification as a Library Media Specialist must demonstrate their competency in the seven (7) Missouri Standards for School Librarians as adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education:

  1. Teaching for Learning
  2. Reading and Literacy
  3. Information and Knowledge
  4. Leadership and Advocacy
  5. Program Management and Administration
  6. Technology Integration
  7. Professional Development

Those seeking certification as a School Counselor must demonstrate their competency in the five (5) School Counselor Standards as adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education:

  1. Student Development
  2. Program Implementation
  3. Professional Relationships
  4. Leadership and Advocacy
  5. Ethical and Professional Conduct

More detailed information concerning all folio requirements may be found in the Professional Development Folio Guide for Teachers and Library Media Specialists or the Professional Development Folio Guide for School Counselors, available in the University bookstore.

Those seeking certification as an Elementary or Secondary Principal or Special Education Director must demonstrate competency in the six (6) Missouri Leader Standards, based on the national Interstate Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards, as adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education:

  1. Vision, Mission, and Goals
  2. Teaching and Learning
  3. Management of Organizational Systems
  4. Collaboration with Families and Stakeholders
  5. Ethics and Integrity
  6. Professional Development

Those seeking certification as a Superintendent of Schools must demonstrate competency in the seven (7) Missouri Superintendent Standards, based on the national Interstate Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards, as adopted by the Missouri State Board of Education:

  1. Vision, Mission, and Goals
  2. Teaching and Learning
  3. Management of Organizational Systems
  4. Collaboration with Families and Stakeholders
  5. Ethics and Integrity
  6. The Education System
  7. Professional Development

Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA)

The Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) are a part of the Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators (MoSPE) Standard 2 - Design and Assessment. MEGA has three objectives in identifying the right educators, evincing knowledge of content, and demonstrating a positive impact on student growth. Students will be required to complete any new assessments that are implemented during the course of their certification program as required by DESE.

The Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) replaced the Praxis and School Leadership Series as the content area exit exams for certification in September 2014. Visit the MEGA website at http://www.mo.nesinc.com/ for more information or to register for the MoCA.

The required performance assessment, to be completed during the student teaching semester, is changing beginning 9/1/2018.  Candidates for certification as teachers, library media specialists or school counselors will be required to achieve a passing composite score on their Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) summative evaluation. School leader candidates (principals and special education directors) must pass the MPEA School Leaders Performance Assessment. For more information visit https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-preparation/mo-performance-assessments

Certification Options Available

Certification Subject Area Concentration/
Endorsement
Grade Level Undergraduate Graduate Stand Alone/ Add-on
Early Childhood (PK-3)     Birth-Grade 3 x x SA/AO
Elementary (1-6)     1-6 x x SA/AO
Middle School (5-9) Business Education   5-9 x x SA/AO
  Language Arts   5-9 x x SA/AO
Social Studies   5-9 x x SA/AO
Mathematics   5-9 x x SA/AO
Science   5-9 x x SA/AO
Speech/Theatre   5-9 x x SA/AO
Secondary Biology   9-12 x SA
  Business Education   9-12 x x SA/AO
Chemistry   9-12 x SA
Driver Education1   9-12 x x AO
English   9-12 x x SA/AO
General Science   9-12 x SA/AO
Mathematics   9-12 x x SA/AO
Social Sciences   9-12 x x SA/AO
Speech/Theatre   9-12 x x SA/AO
Unified Science Biology
Chemistry
9-12
9-12
x
x
x
x
SA
K-12 Health   K-12 x x SA/AO




 
Music Vocal
Instrumental
K-12
K-12
x
x
x
x
SA
Physical Education   K-12   x SA/AO
Library Media Specialist2   K-12   x SA
Special Reading1   K-12   x AO
Special Education Early Childhood   Birth-Grade 3 x x SA/AO
  Cross-Categorical Disabilities Mild/Moderate K-12 x x SA/AO
Student Services Counselor (non-certification)   K-8   x SA



 
Counselor (non-certification)   7-12   x SA
Counselor   K-8   x SA
Counselor   7-12   x SA
Psychological Examiner4   K-12   x SA
Administration Elementary Principal5   K-8   x SA



 
Middle School Principal6   5-9   x SA
Secondary Principal5   9-12   x SA
Special Education Director7   K-12   x SA
Superintendent8   K-12   x SA

* Post-baccalaureate certification-only
1 Teacher must be certificated in another elementary, middle school, or secondary teaching field.
2 Library Media Specialist is available as a stand-alone certification at the graduate level; students may pursue this certification in conjunction with the Master of Arts in Teaching or for certification only. Students already certified in another area may add a Library Media Specialist endorsement.
3 A valid Missouri teacher’s certificate in another elementary, middle, or secondary teaching field and two (2) years of classroom teaching experience are required.
4 A valid Missouri teacher’s certificate or student services certificate is required.
5 A valid Missouri teacher’s certificate plus two (2) years of classroom teaching experience are required.
6 A valid Missouri elementary or secondary principal’s certificate is required.
7 Certification in special education or student services, a Master of Educational Administration degree, and a minimum of two (2) years teaching experience in special education or student services are required.
8 A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a building- or district-level administrator at a public or accredited non-public school is required.

School of Education Master’s Degrees

Missouri Baptist University’s School of Education offers five master’s degree programs. The Master of Arts degree offers three options. The School Counseling track prepares students for certification as public school counselors and the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track prepares students for counseling in an agency setting and meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri. The School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares candidates for both certification and licensure. The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is designed for those seeking either initial certification as a classroom teacher or an additional area of certification. The program offers a number of certification options, which students may complete while working on their master’s degree. The Master of Educational Administration program offers certification as either an Elementary (K-8) or Secondary (7-12) building level administrator or Special Education Director (K-12). Students may also add administrator certification as a Middle School Principal (5-9) . The Master of Educational Technology degree is designed for K-12 educators, technical and community college instructors, administrators, library media specialists, and technology leaders who wish to keep abreast of new innovations in educational technology. The Master of Science in Education: Curriculum and Instruction degree is designed for students who hold teacher certification and offers students the opportunity to enhance not only their comprehension and understanding of curriculum and instruction, but also, to develop the professional technological skills required for success in today’s educational environment. 

M.A. Web Courses 

The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors will not accept online courses as meeting the academic requirements for counselor licensure. Therefore, students in the Master of Arts degree program may not take any coursework leading to licensure online. The only courses that students in the MA in School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program for certification and licensure are permitted to take online are those required just for certification (EDPS 453/553 The Exceptional Child and GRED 500CE Countinuing Portfolio Development). Students pursuing the Master of Arts degree in School Counseling program may take courses online.

Transfer Students/Transfer Credit

Transfer credits must have been earned within the seven (7) years prior to entry into the Graduate Studies Program. Transfer credits must be approved by the Graduate Advisor and the Dean or Program Director and must have grades of A, B, S, CR, or P. Students may not take courses from other graduate programs while enrolled at Missouri Baptist without written approval from the Vice President for Graduate Studies.

Students entering the Master of Educational Administration (MEA) or Master of Science in Education (MSE) degree program may transfer up to six (6) graduate credits into the Missouri Baptist University Graduate Studies Program from another regionally accredited college or university. The total hours transferred to Missouri Baptist, including courses from other programs while enrolled, may not exceed six (6) hours.

Students entering the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program may transfer up to nine (9) graduate credits into the Missouri Baptist University Graduate Studies Program from another regionally accredited college or university. The total hours transferred to Missouri Baptist, including courses from other programs while enrolled, may not exceed nine (9) hours.

Students entering the Counselor Education Master of Arts degree programs may transfer up to nine (9) graduate credits into the Missouri Baptist University Graduate Studies Program from another regionally accredited college or university. The total hours transferred to Missouri Baptist, including courses from other programs while enrolled, may not exceed nine (9) hours. All transfer credits must be approved by the Core Counselor Education Faculty.

Directed Studies

Qualified students are permitted to engage in directed studies under graduate faculty supervision. Under this arrangement, students are enabled to explore subjects in depth, or examine new areas of study, beyond the opportunity afforded by the University’s curriculum. In some cases, catalog courses may be offered as directed studies. Graduate students may not earn more than six (6) credit hours of directed study in their master’s program unless special permission is received in writing from the Vice President for Graduate Studies. Certain courses may not be taken by directed study, as specified in the course description.

The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors will not accept directed studies as meeting the academic requirements for counselor licensure.

Directed study forms are available in the Records Office and approval must be obtained from the student’s Graduate Advisor, the instructor of the course, Dean, and Vice President for Graduate Studies before the beginning of each term. The student and graduate faculty are expected to present the following items as part of the directed study: objectives, detailed description of the study, procedures for student-instructor interaction, method of evaluation, and anticipated resources needed for the study or a course syllabus may be attached to the directed study form.

Exit Examination

Select degree programs require degree-seeking students to complete an exit examination before finishing their graduate program. The exams are scheduled each academic year at a time designated by the faculty in the specific area of concentration. Students enrolled in the Counselor Education Master of Arts degree programs for licensure will be required to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) developed by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). This exam is not the same as the state licensure examination. Those students seeking state licensure will be responsible for making application to the Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors to take the state licensure examination after graduation. Students enrolled in School Counseling or School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will also be required to take assessments approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) replaced Praxis as the content area exit exam in September 2014. Visit the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) website at http://www.mo.nesinc.com/ for more information or to register for the MoCA. Candidates must also achieve a passing composite score on the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) summative evaluation during their culminating internship in order to meet the performance assessment requirement for certification. 

Required exit examinations are given at the end of the student’s degree program usually within six to nine hours of completing all coursework in his/her major field of study. Students will be notified of the dates when specific exams are given. 

Research Requirements

  1. All students seeking the Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Educational Administration, Master of Educational Technology, or Master of Science in Education degree must take GRED 543 - Methods of Inquiry I in which they will be required to complete an action research project. (GRED 543  is prerequisite for admission to the Doctor of Education program.)
  2. Required end-of-program assessment project:
    1. Portfolio
      1. Students pursuing initial certification as a School Counselor in conjunction with the Master of Arts degree in School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling must complete a professional portfolio which includes an action research component (see degree plan worksheet). The portfolio must be completed and scored before the degree is conferred.
      2. Counselor Education certification initial certification students MUST take GRED 500CE Continuing Portfolio Development: Mac  as a co-requisite to COUN 5123 - Foundations of School Counseling. This course is offered only online.

Undergraduate Certification Courses

Students enrolled in the combined Classroom Teaching/ Post-Baccalaureate Certification track may count prerequisite undergraduate courses as meeting certification requirements. However, students must still take the minimum number of graduate hours (36) to receive the MAT degree in Classroom Teaching. In most cases, unless they are transferring graduate courses into the program, students will need to complete more than 36 hours in order to meet both certification and degree requirements. Graduate students taking undergraduate courses for certification will pay undergraduate tuition and fees.

Summary of the Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Educational Administration, Master of Educational Technology, and Master of Science in Education Degree Process:

To earn a Master of Arts in Counseling, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Educational Administration, Master of Educational Technology, or Master of Science in Education degree, a student must complete each of the following steps:

  1. The student must develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor.
  2. The student must complete all coursework included in the plan of study including practicums and research classes.
  3. Students involved in counselor education degree/certification program must complete a professional portfolio. The portfolio must be completed and scored before the degree is conferred.
  4. Students must complete the exit examination required for the program they are pursuing.
  5. An Application for Graduation, signed by the student, Graduate Advisor, and Vice President for Graduate Studies, must be filed with the Graduate Office and the Records Office in the semester prior to the term in which the student intends to graduate.
  6. Students must pay the required graduation fee. Students are encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled the first Tuesday evening after the last Saturday in April of each academic year. Students must notify the Vice President for Graduate Studies and the Director of Records if they choose not to participate. Students must pay the graduation fee whether or not they attend commencement. 
  7.  All graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in order to graduate from the program.

Portfolio Credit for Prior Learning

Students in the MEA and MSE degree programs may receive up to nine (9) hours of graduate credit through the portfolio credit for prior learning (CPL) process. Students in the MAT degree program may receive up to thirteen (13) hours of graduate credit through the portfolio credit for prior learning (CPL) process. In order to receive portfolio credits, students other than those seeking initial classroom certification must apply through the Dean of the School of Education for specific directions on the portfolio process.

Students seeking initial classroom certification may earn up to 30 credit hours through CPL. Only sixteen (16) credit hours (13 of which may be for graduate credit) from a list of approved professional education courses available in the Teacher Education Office may be earned within that total of 30 credit hours. Students may earn an additional fourteen (14) hours through CPL for general education or content area courses other than professional education. Initial certification students must apply for CPL through the Education Dean.

The maximum number of hours students may apply to their graduate program from transfer and portfolio credit combined is fifteen (15) hours for students in the MEA and MSE degree programs and eighteen (18) hours for students in the MAT degree program.

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, or School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will not be able to count portfolio credit for prior learning toward the master’s degree.  In addition, students pursuing the Master of Arts for Clinical Mental Health Counseling or for School Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling will not be able to count directed study, web courses, or ITV courses toward the master’s degree.  The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors will not accept these formats as meeting counselor licensure requirements.

Professional Elective Program (PEP)

The Professional Elective Program (PEP) program seeks to establish a collaborative school/district culture where teamwork leads to increased student motivation and the improvement of student academic performance. Missouri Baptist University supports schools/districts undertaking PEP planning through the awarding of graduate credit for successful completion of PEP activities approved by the school/district. Courses are designed as a natural outgrowth of teacher collaboration in planning, developing, and implementing learning strategies, products, and assessments of student learning.

The outcome of PEP collaboration involves some type of school improvement project; copies of a PEP school improvement project, along with the log record showing time involved, will be evaluated by a university-approved instructor.

Workshop Graduate Credit

No more than six (6) credit hours of graduate coursework completed in workshops or professional development seminars may be applied to the hours required for a master’s degree. Most workshop graduate credit is granted under the “Specialized Topics in Professional Development for Educators” (ETOP 541/542/543 ) course title. Students must receive prior approval from their advisor as part of the Plan of Study in order for the workshops to be counted toward the degree.

Graduate Courses at Other Colleges and Universities

The Graduate Advisor and/or the Dean or Program Director must approve courses taken at other accredited colleges and universities to be considered for transfer credit within a graduate program of study. The total number of hours taken at another university may not exceed individual program transfer limits. The Missouri Committee for Professional Counselors will not accept online courses as meeting the academic requirements for counselor licensure.

Post-Baccalaureate Certification

The Missouri Baptist University Teacher Education Program prepares professional educators for certification in both public and private educational settings at the following levels:

Certification Area Grade Level
Driver Education Add-on* Grades 9-12
Early Childhood Stand-Alone Birth-Grade 3
Early Childhood/Special Education Combined Birth-Grade 3
Early Childhood/Elementary Combined Birth-Grade 6
Early Childhood/Special Education/Elementary Birth-Grade 6
Early Childhood Special Education Stand-Alone Birth-Grade 3
Early Childhood Special Education/Early Childhood Combined Birth-Grade 3
Elementary Stand-Alone Grades 1-6
Elementary/Special Education Combined Grades 1-6/Kindergarten-Grade 12
Elementary/Early Childhood Combined Birth-Grade 6
K-121 Kindergarten-Grade 12
Library Media Specialist Kindergarten-Grade 12
Middle School2 Grades 5-9
Secondary32 Grades 9-12
Special Education: Cross-Categorical Disabilities Mild to Moderate Stand-Alone Kindergarten-Grade 12
Special Education: Cross-Categorical Disabilities Mild to Moderate/Elementary Kindergarten-Grade 12
Special Reading Add-on* Kindergarten-Grade 12

1At the K-12 level, certification is offered in the following areas of concentration: Health Education, Music (vocal/choral or instrumental), Physical Education, and Library Media Specialist (available at the graduate-level only, either as a stand-alone K-12 certification, or as an endorsement, which requires Missouri certification in another field).
2At the middle school level, certification is offered in the following areas of concentration: Business Education, Language Arts, Mathematics, General Science, Social Science, and Speech/Theatre.
3At the secondary level, certification is offered in Business Education, English, Mathematics, Social Science, Speech/Theatre, and Unified Science with an endorsement in either Biology or Chemistry. For students already holding a baccalaureate degree, certification-only programs are available in categorical sciences: Biology, Chemistry, and General Science.
*Add-on certifications are also offered for Driver Education and Special Reading, which require Missouri certification in another field.Special Reading also requires two years of teaching experience.

Teacher Education Admission Procedures

All candidates for Missouri State Teacher Certification must be formally admitted into the Teacher Education program at Missouri Baptist University. This process begins with the Teacher Education Admission Packet completed in conjunction with EDUC 201 Professional Growth and Development I. No student will be allowed to student teach unless he or she has been formally admitted into the Teacher Education program.  Candidates must be formally admitted in order to schedule their student teaching (second) interview.

Admission into the Teacher Education program includes completion of the admission packet along with submission of a current resume,* educational philosophy,* autobiographical sketch,* three letters of reference (at least one of which must be from an MBU faculty member), and ACT or SAT scores or a written request for exemption. [Graduate students seeking initial certification are exempt from taking the general education assessment Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA).]

Graduate students may take the following 20 credit hours prior to completing the process for admission to the Teacher Education Program:
EDUC 201 Professional Growth and Folio Development I
EDUC 203 Teaching in a Diverse Society† (Must be taken with EDUC 201)
EDCL 200 Teaching in a Diverse Society Field Experience (must be taken concurrently with EDUC 203)
EDCL 211 Teaching Field Experience I
EDUC 210 Field Experience I Seminar (must be taken concurrently with EDCL 211)
EDUC 303 Methods of Teaching
ECTA 323 Curriculum, Assessment, and Data-based Decision Making
EDPS 383 Psychology of Teaching and Learning
EDUC 573 - Applications of Technology
PSYC 553 - Advanced Human Development

Note


According to School of Education policies, students who are not admitted to the Teacher Education Program are not permitted to register for 400/500-level education classes without written approval from the Associate Dean of Education for Teacher Education and Student Affairs as noted on the Teacher Education Program Admission Probation Form.**

Students who transfer in a course that does not include an equivalent field experience must take EDCL 200 Teaching in a Diverse Society Field Experience

*These documents will be reviewed for mechanical errors (grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, etc.) as well as content. The file will not be considered complete until final recommended revisions have been made and accepted.

**Students who have not met the GPA requirements for admission, may be permitted to take education courses at the 400/500-level provided they have completed a Teacher Education Program Admission Probation Form and have been approved to continue by the Associate Dean of Education for Teacher Education and Student Affairs. Approval to continue on probation for GPA issues must be approved on a semester by semester basis.  All candidates must be fully admitted before they will be allowed to schedule their student teaching (second) interview.

Background Checks for Field Experience and Student Teaching Placement

A completed background check is required by most school districts prior to beginning observations in all field experiences* and for student teaching. A new background check is required each semester. All students participating in a field experience or student teaching are required to request a background check through the Family Care Safety Registry of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Family Care Safety Registry

Missouri’s Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) was established by law to promote family and community safety. The registry helps to protect children, seniors, and the disabled by providing access to background information. Background information consists of Missouri data only and is accessed through the following state agencies:

  • State criminal background records maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
  • Sex Offender Registry information maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
  • Child abuse/neglect records maintained by the Missouri Department of Social Services
  • The Employee Disqualification List maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
  • The Employee Disqualification Registry maintained by the Missouri Department of Mental Health
  • Child-care facility licensing records maintained by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
  • Foster parent licensing records maintained by the Missouri Department of Social Services

The DHSS provides convenient registration via the internet at http://health.mo.gov/safety/fcsr/.

First-time registrants:

  1. Upon entering the DHSS website, click the “Register Online” link and follow all instructions. A social security number and valid credit or debit card are required. “Under Type of Worker,” click on “Voluntary.”
  2. The registration cost of $12.00 is the responsibility of the student requesting the background check. Debit and credit cards are the forms of payment accepted. There is a $1.25 processing fee.
  3. Students will receive a letter in the mail from the DHSS stating that their background check came back clear or not.
  4. It is the students’ responsibility to make a photocopy of the background check and submit the photocopy to the Teacher Education Office to be placed in their Teacher Education file.
  5. This mailed notification should be taken to the school where the student is observing.

If you are already registered:

  1. A person needs to register only one time. Click on the link, “Is A Person Already Registered?” and type in the Social Security number to verify that a person is registered with the Family Care Safety Registry.
  2. Requests for updated background screenings may be made by phone using the toll-free access line, 1-866-422-6872, between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

*To expedite placement, all students should complete the background check process before the start of the semester in which they will be participating in a field experience or at the time of the student teaching interview. If you have any questions related to background checks for student teaching, please contact Angela McGowan at 314-744-5323 or angela.mcgowan@mobap.edu. If the background check is required for Field Experience I or II, please contact Ellen John at 314-485-8487 or ellen.john@mobap.edu. If the background check is required for a course other than field experience or student teaching, please contact the instructor for that course.

Background Checks for Certification

An FBI background check must be completed before the state of Missouri will issue a professional teaching certificate.

To complete a criminal history check and clearance, you will need to schedule an appointment with 3M/Cogent. You must first register with the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). MACHS is located at: www.machs.mo.gov. If you do not have access to the Internet you may contact 3M/Cogent directly at 1-877-862-2425 to have a Fingerprint Services Representative conduct this registration on your behalf. The four-digit registration number that you will need to use for DESE is 2300. (This replaces the old ORI and OCA numbers that were previously required.) An expanded number of fingerprint services sites and expanded hours of operation to include evening and weekend hours will be available.

Fingerprints captured electronically are more accurate and the results can be expected within three weeks. The cost of electronic fingerprinting with 3M/Cogent is $44.80. The results of the criminal history check and clearance are valid for one year after the clearance date posted on the DESE website. You can find more information on the fingerprint process at the following website: http://www.dese.mo.gov/eq/cert/eq-cert-fingerprint-background.htm.

Questions may also be addressed to DESE Conduct and Investigations at 573-522-8315 or 573-522-8761.

You will be responsible for the background check; DESE will not process the request for certification until the results of the Background Check are received. DESE anticipates the turn-around time will be three weeks from the time the fingerprints are captured. We recommend that you wait to do your background check until you have passed all exit assessments, since the background clearance is only effective for one year.

Field Experience and Student Teacher Placement Practices

The Missouri Baptist University School of Education is proud to be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In order to maintain these accreditations, which are beneficial to our students, MBU must maintain consistent practices with regard to placement of student teachers. Students requesting field experience and student teacher placements through MBU are hereby advised of the following field experience and student teacher placement practices. Your understanding of and adherence to these practices will enhance the placement process for students, school districts, and the Teacher Education Office staff responsible for securing the placements.

  1. Preparation for Student Teaching begins long before students ever reach the “student teaching” semester. Students should be aware that school district administrators carefully review students’ transcripts and philosophies of education as part of the placement process. A few school districts now have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0-3.5 for student teaching candidates. Students’ requests for student teacher placement have been denied as a result of even just a few D’s and F’s on their transcripts, even when those courses were repeated and/or if they did not apply to the students’ education major. Students are highly encouraged to be responsible for maintaining academic excellence in all coursework. Students who think that they may be struggling in a class to the point of making a D or an F are encouraged to consult with their advisor and financial aid counselor about withdrawing from the class rather than to suffer the consequences of a poor grade on their transcripts, and to take the course at another time when more effort can be devoted to the class. This is especially important for professional education, field experience, and major content area requirements (for middle/secondary majors), as a cumulative 3.000 GPA in professional education courses and in content area courses is required for certification.
  2. Missouri Baptist University strongly believes that the student teaching experience is vital to the student’s authentic preparation for professional practice; therefore, students must be able to commit to student teaching for an entire school day, Monday-Friday, for a full semester. Students seeking certification in a single content area will complete one sixteen-week teaching experience. Students seeking certification at more than one level (K-12) or in more than one content area must student teach twelve weeks at one level or content area and four weeks at the other level or content area as approved by the Dean of Education or Director of Field Experiences. In addition, students are expected to attend Student Teaching Seminar concurrently in the semester in which they will be student teaching. Students are NOT excused from Student Teaching Seminar due to contractual obligations with a school district or due to work schedules. Student Teaching Seminar is also NOT offered via “directed study.” Therefore, students should not request permission to meet with the instructor individually at an alternate time. Students with contractual obligations in a school district will need to either make arrangements with the school district to leave early, if necessary, on class dates, or may need to consider taking the class at a location that offers the class at a later time during the day.
  3. Students must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program [including submitting and having approval for all required documents for the Teacher Education Admission Packet, passing scores on all sections of the required general education assessment (undergraduate degree-seeking students only), minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA (or higher for those districts which require a higher cumulative GPA for student teacher placement), both interviews completed, and all probationary statuses from interviews cleared] by June 30 for Fall placement or by November 10 for Spring placement. Failure to be fully approved for student teaching by these dates will result in the student’s application for student teaching being moved to the following semester, which may delay the student’s graduation date, and/or eligibility for teacher certification. These deadlines are crucial to give the Teacher Education Office staff appropriate time to request and confirm student teacher placements for students. For optimal placements, students are encouraged to complete all requirements to be approved for student teaching as early as possible in the semester prior to student teaching, as many districts reach their capacity for student teacher requests by mid-semester. [Certain districts and/or schools (including Festus R-VI and Hillsboro Primary) have established specific deadline dates for applications. Students should consult the School Districts That Require Additional Information for Student Teaching Placement for more information.] Please be aware that GPA requirements have changed. Students must have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 as well as a content area GPA of 3.00 and a professional education GPA of 3.00 (with no grades below a “C” in professional education or content area requirements) in order to be fully admitted and placed for student teaching. Students admitted under the previous 2.5 GPA requirement who did not complete certification requirements prior to 8/1/2017 will be held to the new, higher GPA standard.
  4. Students must complete Teaching Field Experience I and Teaching Field Experience II in two different districts. Early Childhood Stand-Alone candidates must complete one Field Experience in grades Pre-K/K and one Field Experience in grades 1-3. Elementary Education candidates must complete one Field Experience in grades 1-3 and one Field Experience in grades 4-6. Students seeking certification in both Early Childhood and Elementary Education should complete one Field Experience in Pre-K/K OR Grades 1-3 and one Field Experience in grades 4-6. Those seeking K-12 or dual certification should complete Field Experiences in Elem and MS/Sec. for K-12 certification and in appropriate grade levels/subjects for each area of dual certification. Students enrolled in EDCL 211 Teaching Field Experience I must be concurrently enrolled in EDUC 210 Teaching Field Experience I Seminar. Students enrolled in EDCL 411/511 Teaching Field Experience II must be concurrently enrolled in EDUC 410/510 Teaching Field Experience II Seminar. Successful completion of both seminar courses with a final grade of CR is required for degree completion and/or satisfaction of certification requirements.
  5. Students must complete their student teaching in a district different from their Field Experience I and II placements. Students will be placed in the most highly diverse settings possible, and should carefully plan Field Experience and Student Teaching assignments accordingly. Students will not be permitted to complete all of their Field Experience/Student Teaching in the same district due to their children’s enrollment in that district or non-academic contractual employment in that district (such as coaching, before or after-school employment, bus driving duties, etc.). Students should consider these obligations and make preparations as needed well in advance of applying for student teaching, so that they are prepared for the various “life” adjustments that may be required during their student teaching experience. Students may ONLY complete all of their student teaching in the same district if they are employed by the district as a paraprofessional or on a Temporary Authorization or Provisional Certificate. In these cases, the student will be responsible for demonstrating sufficient experiences working with diverse populations. In rare cases, the Teacher Education Office may approve a student to complete his/her student teaching in the same district and/or same classroom ONLY if all other attempts to place the student elsewhere have failed. In such cases, the Teacher Education Office will first examine the diverse experiences the student has already accumulated to determine if the student has had sufficient opportunities to work with diverse populations. Therefore, it is vital that students carefully plan all field experiences prior to student teaching, both formal (Teaching Field Experience I and II) and informal (those field experiences embedded in another course), to include diverse populations so that alternative accommodations can be considered, if necessary, during student teaching.
  6. Placement requests will be submitted to only ONE district at a time. Students should be aware that a verbal “approval” from a potential cooperating teacher for placement does not guarantee official approval of the placement from the principal or district central office. The Education Office is responsible for contacting the appropriate district personnel in writing to officially request student teacher placements. Due to the busy schedules of school administrators who partner with Missouri Baptist University in student teacher placements, it can take a MINIMUM of three to four weeks to confirm a single placement. If a district is not able to place a student teacher, the process begins all over again with a new district, thereby once again, extending the time it may take to confirm a placement. Students will be notified via email and/or regular mail when a placement has been confirmed. Once students have been informed of their confirmed placement(s), they are expected to contact the cooperating teacher and building principal as soon as possible, well in advance of the start date, to get acquainted and to begin making any preparations (at the cooperating teacher’s discretion) for the student teaching experience.
  7. Once the Teacher Education Office has submitted a student teaching request to a district, requests from students to make a change to their placement may not be considered until/unless the original district indicates that they are not able to accommodate the request. Once a placement is confirmed, requests from students to make a change to their placement will not be considered, except in very rare circumstances, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If students encounter unforeseen circumstances which they believe will prevent them from fulfilling their student teaching in the district assigned, they have the option to choose to withdraw from student teaching. However, that does not constitute a necessity for the School of Education to reassign the student to another district in that same semester. Voluntary, self-imposed withdrawal or dismissal by the school district from a student teaching placement may result in the student’s forfeiture of eligibility to complete student teaching in that semester, and may require that the student reapply for student teaching in a subsequent semester, if more adequate time is needed to devote to securing a new placement for the student. All requests for reassignment must be discussed in person with the Director of Field Experiences before any further action regarding reassignment will be taken. Please note that proximity of the placement to the student’s home/daycare provider is NOT considered a valid reason for withdrawal from a confirmed placement. While the Teacher Education Office staff will make every effort to place students as close to their residences/daycare facilities/ children’s schools as possible, due to shortages in districts with available openings for student teachers, it is not always possible to place students in neighboring school districts. Students should be prepared to travel up to 30-45 minutes to and from student teaching.e.
  8. All students are REQUIRED to attend Student Teaching Orientation held on the Main Campus (usually the first week in August for Fall semester student teachers and the week after Fall semester final exams in December for Spring semester student teachers) prior to beginning their student teaching. Letters are mailed to students approximately one month prior to the Student Teaching Orientation date informing students of the date, time, and location of the meeting. Students who cannot attend the established orientation, should notify the Director of Field Experiences as soon as possible and will be required to attend a make-up orientation, scheduled by the Director of Field Experiences, before they may begin student teaching. Failure to attend the initial orientation meeting may result in the student having to delay the start date of his/her student teaching; therefore, extending the ending date (which may occur after the semester officially concludes and/or graduation). Student Teacher Orientation (one day seminar) should NOT be confused with EDUC 471 Student Teaching Seminar (full-semester class). Attendance at both is required.

Missouri Baptist University is committed to providing pre-service students with a quality student teaching experience and desires to make the placement process as smooth as possible for all parties involved. Please understand that we strive to maintain positive relationships with the partnering school districts and value their time, effort, and hospitality involved in this process as well. It is only through their cooperation that field experience and student teaching placements are possible. These practices are as much to respect the school districts’ needs for timely requests and quality candidates as they are to accommodate the needs of our students. If you should have any questions regarding field experiences, student teaching, and/or the placement process, please feel free to contact the Director of Field Experiences. We desire for all of our student teachers to be successful, and that begins with mutual collaboration in the placement process to ensure quality placements for all of our students.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Portfolio Credit for Student Teaching: Students desiring to petition for credit for a portion of their student teaching experience must have a minimum of two years of classroom instructional experience in the grade level and/ or subject area for which they are seeking certification in order to apply. The experience must be in a public or accredited private school and must be concurrent with enrollment in the Teacher Education Program. To determine eligibility, the student must first complete a CPL conference with the Dean of Education or his/her designee at least one semester prior to the anticipated student teaching semester. Students must be fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program and have passed the student teaching interview before CPL credit may be awarded. Students pursuing credit for the full 16 weeks of student teaching through CPL will be observed teaching a minimum of three lessons by an MBU university supervisor during their final semester.  Candidates will actively participate in the classroom and complete required assignments, with the guidance of the classroom mentor teacher and university supervisor. All students, including those receiving credit for prior learning, will be concurrently enrolled in EDUC 471 Student Teaching Seminar, which provides an opportunity for students to share and reflect on their classroom experiences.

Year-long Experience for Spartan Seniors (YESS)

Students chosen to participate in this field experience program will complete both Field Experience II and Student Teaching in the same school. In the first semester, candidates will observe teachers at all grade levels in the building and complete the co-requisite seminar on-site. In the second semester they will student teach in the same building. The main goal of the year-long experience is to provide the opportunity for candidates to learn about teaching by experiencing the school year from beginning to end, collaborating with the school faculty, and engaging in all aspects of teaching.

Elementary, Early Childhood, Middle School, and Secondary teacher certification candidates may apply to complete Field Experience II and Student Teaching in a Missouri Baptist University partner school. Students who are accepted for the YESS program will agree to the following:

  • Forego the traditional Missouri Baptist academic calendar and follow the district school calendar for both semesters.
  • Attend the regular school day for the two required days during the Field II experience, spending time in various classrooms at the site.
  • Attend the co-requisite seminar course for Field Experience II at the school site.
  • Attend the regular school day five days a week during the student teaching semester.
  • Will have opportunities to participate in school and district based professional learning, participate in grade level and data team meetings, attend parent teacher conferences and Individual Education Plan meetings, and substitute for the school/district (if eligible for a substitute certificate), among others.

YESS gives students the opportunity to experience a complete school year from beginning to end. Students will work with and support teachers who have a variety of teaching styles and methods that will enhance the student’s development as a teacher, while supporting student learning and achievement.

Information and application materials can be obtained from your advisor or the Director of Field Experience. 

General Certification Requirements

  1. A baccalaureate degree from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) or from a college or university having a teacher education program approved by the state education agency in states other than Missouri;1
  2. Must have recommendation of designated official for teacher education in the college or university;
  3. Must have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 as well as content area and professional education GPA’s of 3.00 (with no grades below a C in professional education or content area requirements);
  4. Must complete the content area test designated by the State Board of Education with a score equal to or greater than the Missouri qualifying score*;
  5. Completion of professional requirements, as determined by the recommending college or university, which may exceed the minimum requirements established by DESE; and
  6. Individuals who are not U.S. citizens must complete coursework in the following:
    1. English Composition, two (2) courses, each a minimum of two (2) semester hours;
    2. U.S. History, three (3) semester hours; and
    3. U.S. Government, three (3) semester hours.

*DESE has changed the assessment requirements for certification.The Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) have replaced the Praxis and School Leader Series as the content area exams. Visit the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) website at http://www.mo.nesinc.com/ for more information or to register for the MoCA. For information on the Missouri Performance Assessments go to https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-preparation/mo-performance-assessments.

1If a baccalaureate degree from a foreign country has been officially documented as equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree, then it can be accepted to fulfill the minimum degree requirement for certification. An official credentialing agency report that verifies the equivalence of the coursework to U.S. credits is required. Missouri Baptist University requires that students have this evaluation done through the following agencies, which are approved by DESE:

World Education Services, Inc. (preferred)
Bowling Green Station
Post Office Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087, USA
Phone: (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 966-6395
www.wes.org

Academic & Professional International Evaluations, Inc.
Post Office Box 5787
Los Alamitos, California 90721-5787
Phone: (562) 594-6498
Fax: (562) 594-8498
Web site: www.apie.org
Contact the agency for instructions before sending documents.

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
International Education Services
One Dupont Circle NW
Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036-1135
Phone: (202) 293-9161
Fax: (202) 872-8857
Web site: www.aacrao.org
Contact the agency for instructions before sending documents.

Foreign Consultants, Inc.
Credential Evaluation Services
3000 Dundee Road
Suite 209
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (773) 761-0000 or (847) 498-4499
Fax: (847) 412-9570
Web site: www.foreignconsultants.com
Contact the agency for instructions before sending documents.

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
Credentials Evaluation Service
Post Office Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665
Phone: (310) 258-9451
Fax: (310) 342-7086
Web site: www.ierf.org
Contact the agency for instructions before sending documents.

The results from the evaluation must be mailed to Missouri Baptist University. This process will take 30 to 60 days.

There is a fee for this evaluation. Students may obtain an application for evaluation of transcripts by contacting either of the services listed above or through the Missouri Baptist University International Student Services Office by calling (314) 744-5301. Official transcripts, the application, and the fee must be submitted to the above address. If required, this request must be made immediately after application for admission to Missouri Baptist University so that results will be received in time for registration. Once the baccalaureate degree is verified, then a student is able to pursue certification as a graduate student.

Program Completion Requirements for Initial Teacher Certification

(required for both degree-seeking and certification-only students)

  1. Successful completion of the Professional Development Folio the semester prior to student teaching.
  2. Successful completion of certification program required coursework.
  3. An overall cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, including a minimum 3.0 GPA within the content area (for middle and secondary) with no grade lower than a C, and a minimum 3.0 GPA in professional education courses with no grade lower than a C. DESE requires that all coursework from all institutions attended be included in the cumulative grade point average.
  4. Successful completion of Student Teaching which includes the following:
    1. A passing score on the Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) which replace the Praxis Series as the content area exit exams for certification beginning in September 2014;
    2. Satisfactory Formative Evaluations; and
    3. A passing composite score on the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) summative evaluation.

Teacher Education Assessment Phases and Program Evaluation

A systematic plan for assessment has also been developed for teacher education candidates. Candidates are evaluated at each phase of the program with decisions made by the Teacher Education Faculty to recommend or reject candidates for further study. The steps in this evaluation system follow:

Graduate Level

  1. Application to Professional Standing
    1. Submit Teacher Education Admission Packet:
      1. Admissions Packet:
        1. Application Forms
        2. Philosophy of education
        3. Resume
        4. Autobiographical sketch
        5. Three letters of recommendation
        6. ACT or SAT score (or exemption request)
      2. Evidence of successful completion of coursework
      3. Establish 2.75 cumulative GPA/3.00 in content area and professional education
    2. Preparation for admission interview
      1. Philosophy of Education
      2. Autobiographical Sketch
      3. Reflection on one of the nine Missouri Teacher Standards or one of the seven Missouri Standards for School Librarians (must incorporate two theorists and two artifacts)
    3. Interview with Education Faculty - Results:
      1. Recommendation of acceptance to professional standing
      2. Probation with recommendation(s) of additional coursework
      3. Student appeal of recommendation(s) to Teacher Education Council
    4. School of Education Faculty review of recommendation(s) from interview - Results:
      1. Accept recommendation(s)
      2. Modify recommendation(s)
      3. Reject recommendation(s)Application to Internship
  2. Application to Internship (Student Teaching)
    1. Transcript analysis
      1. Identification of special circumstances
      2. Determine progress in professional pre-service program
    2. Preparation for student teaching interview
      1. Updated philosophy of education
      2. Updated professional resume
      3. Reflection on four of the nine Missouri Teacher Standards or four of the seven Missouri Standards for Librarians (must incorporate at least two theorists and two practical experiences or examples/artifacts)
    3. Interview with Education Faculty/Partners - Results:
      1. Recommendation to place in Internship (Student Teaching)
      2. Recommendation to enroll pre-service teacher in EDCL 451-456 for additional experience
      3. Student appeal of recommendation to Teacher Education Faculty
    4. Teacher Education Faculty Review - Results:
      1. Accept recommendation(s)
      2. Modify recommendation(s)
      3. Reject recommendation(s)
  3. Exit Tasks and Requirements
    1. Successful completion of the Professional Development Folio prior to Student Teaching
    2. Successful completion of all pre-service professional coursework (grade of C or above/3.00 GPA)
    3. Successful completion of Internship (Student Teaching)
      1. Passing score on Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) for each area in which certification is being sought
      2. Passing composite score on Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) summative evaluation
      3. Grade for internship of C or above
    4. Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA/3.00 in content area and professional education
  4. Program/Unit Survey (Missouri Teacher Standards or Missouri Standards for Librarians)
    1. Surveys of cooperating teachers
    2. Surveys of student teachers
    3. Surveys of recent graduates and administrators
    4. Teacher Education Faculty and Teacher Education Council will review surveys - Results:
      1. Maintain programs
      2. Modify programs

Teacher Education Timeline

Task Required Completion Timeline
Enroll in EDUC 201 Professional Growth and Folio Development I  Must be enrolled in this class in the second semester of the sophomore year or first semester of enrollment for students transferring with junior standing or better. Course must be completed prior to first interview.
Complete first draft of reflection for 1 of the 9 Missouri Teacher Standards (or 1 of the 7 Missouri Standards for School Librarians). Complete all 5 foundational education documents. EDUC 201 Professional Growth and Folio Development I
Complete EDUC 203 Teaching in a Diverse Society and EDCL 200 Teaching in a Diverse Society Field Experience Must be enrolled in these classes concurrently with EDUC 201. Courses must be completed prior to first interview. (Students transferring with a course in lieu of EDUC 203 that does not include an equivalent field experience must still take EDCL 200 Teaching in a Diverse Society Field Experience at MBU.)
Complete EDUC 303 Methods of Teaching and Differentiated Instruction All students except for Music Education majors should be enrolled in this class prior to first interview, completion preferred
Complete Teacher Education Admission Packet Complete prior to first interview in conjunction with EDUC 201, 203, and 303
Official copy of ACT or SAT on file in Education Office (or exemption request if eligible) Complete prior to first interview
Official copy of MoGEA with passing score on all sections on file (undergraduate degree-seeking student only) Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Students Only
Complete prior to first interview during same semester as EDUC 201. (Students must pass at least 2 of the 4 or 5 scores prior to the first interview, with evidence indicating they have registered for the next scheduled exam.)

FIRST INTERVIEW: Approval for admission

  • All items listed above must be completed before interview is scheduled
  • In addition, a 2.75 overall cumulative GPA as well as a content area GPA of 3.00 and professional education GPA of 3.00 (with no grades below a “C” in professional education or content area requirements) are required for admission
In conjunction with enrollment in EDUC 201, 203, and 303 for all students:
  • Students with less than a 2.75 overall cumulative GPA or less than a 3.00 in the content area or professional education must have a plan to raise GPA.
  • Undergraduate degree-seeking students with at least 2 of the 4 or 5 scores on the MoGEA passed may be accepted for probationary admission only. All sections must be passed to be fully admitted.
Faculty Vote and Formal Approval for Admission Letter will be sent to student with notice of formal faculty approval for admission
Graduation/Certification Check When enrolled in EDUC 201 or first semester of junior year
Complete final draft of reflections for all 9 Missouri Teacher Standards (or all 7 Missouri Standards for School Librarians)

Complete in conjunction with EDUC 401 Professional Growth and Folio Development II 

See Professional Development Folio Guide for Teachers and Library Media Specialist for courses in which first drafts are to be submitted.
Complete EDUC 401 Professional Growth and Folio Development II Complete the semester prior to student teaching in preparation for student teaching interview.
Final Professional Development Folio Evaluation  The Folio evaluation must be “passing.” If it is not “passing,” the Folio must be revised during the student teaching semester and resubmitted to achieve a “passing” evaluation prior to conferral of professional education degrees and completion of certification program requirements. Students will receive an Incomplete (IN) grade for EDUC 401 until the Folio has been passed.
SECOND INTERVIEW: Approval for student teaching

At least one semester before student teaching:

  • For August student teaching, interview must be completed in February, March, or April.
  • For January student teaching, interview must be completed in August, September, or October.
Candidates must be fully admitted before second (student teaching) interview.
Placement Deadlines for Student Teaching Must be fully admitted and have passed the student teaching interview by June 30 for Fall placements or by November 10 for Spring placements.

Placement requests will NOT be sent out until students have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program AND second interview has been passed.


Any request for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) must be submitted at the same time you apply for student teaching placement.
Take Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) for each area in which certification is being sought Complete prior to student teaching
(Passing score required for conferral of professional education degrees and completion of certification program requirements.)
Complete all coursework Prior to student teaching
(Students will not be allowed to student teach if all education courses have not been satisfactorily completed with a final grade of C or CR or better. Music Education students must also complete their Senior Recital prior to student teaching.)
Enroll in EDUC 471 Student Teaching Seminar with either Student Teaching or EDCL 4700 CPL Student Teaching Evaluation Final Semester

10-Week Action Research Inquiry-Based Project

Students will engage in an action research project to demonstrate instructional impact.  Students will select a focus, identify research questions, collect and analyze date, and report results with informed actions.
EDUC 471 Student Teaching Seminar
Achieve passing composite score on Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) summative evaluation Student Teaching or EDCL 4700 CPL Student Teaching Evaluation (required for conferral of professional education degrees and completion of certification program requirements)
Complete Professional Development Plan (PDP) During EDUC 471
Establish a Credential File with Career Services
http://www.mobap.edu/student-life/career-services/
During EDUC 471
  • Create job profile using AppliTrack (district specific websites)
  • Create job profile on Missouri REAP http://www.moreap.net/
During EDUC 471
Application for Certification
https://k12apps.dese.mo.gov/webLogin/login.aspx
After successful completion of all coursework, including student teaching, and passing all required exit assessments
Commissioning Service Held at the end of the Spring semester prior to Commencement

 

COURSES REQUIRED FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION HAVE CHANGED 

Students who did not complete all program requirements for certification – including passing their professional development folio, MoCA, and performance assessment (MoPTA or MoLPA) – by July 31, 2017, will need to meet the new certification rules as outlined in the current Graduate Bulletin and certification worksheets.

Programs of Study

Master of Arts

Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Educational Administration

Master of Educational Technology

Master of Science in Education

Educational Specialist

Doctor of Education

Certification