Mizzou Elementary Education Degree Requirements

Complete these required courses for an Elementary Education degree.

Required 125 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above, and 30 which must be from UND) including:

I. Essential Studies Requirements (see University ES listing).

II. EHD General Graduation Requirements (see EHD listing).

III. The Following Curriculum:

Code	Title	Credits
T&L 252	Child Development	3-4
or PSYC 250	Developmental Psychology
GEOG 151	Human Geography	3
or GEOG 161	World Regional Geography
MATH 103	College Algebra *	3
Select one of the following (History):	3
HIST 101	Western Civilization I
HIST 102	Western Civilization II
HIST 103	United States to 1877
HIST 104	United States since 1877
HIST 220	History of North Dakota
Total Credits	12-13

*

A higher level math or qualify score on the math placement test may be substituted.

A. Science Requirement:

One science with corresponding lab

Additionally, students must take a science course in the following four science areas: physical, biological, earth, and space studies. This coursework may be selected from the Essential Studies course list or from T&L 400-level science courses. Note that T&L science courses count as elective courses in the major and cannot be applied towards Essential Studies graduation requirements.

IV. Minor or Specialty Area:

Each student must have a minor or specialty area consisting of 20 credits. Two courses or a maximum of six credits may be transferred from your Essential Studies to your minor or specialty area. Select from: Anthropology, Art, English Language Learner/Bilingual Education, Early Childhood Education, Economics, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Geography, History, Indian Studies, Kindergarten Endorsement, Literacy Education, Mathematics, Middle School, Music, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Science, Social Studies, Sociology, Special Education, Technology Education or Visual Arts.

V. Introductory Courses: 

Code	Title	Credits
T&L 250	Introduction to Education	3
T&L 251	Understanding Individuals with Different Abilities	3
T&L 324	Integrating the Arts in the Elementary Classroom	3
T&L 328	Survey of Children’s Literature	3
T&L 339	Educational Technology	2
Total Credits	14

 VI. Post Admission Courses:

To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 and strength of academic record
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for communication courses (ENGL 110, ENGL 130, COMM 110)
• Completed 15 credits that apply toward graduation
• Satisfactory dispositions (30 hour field experience) report from T&L 250 course

Code	Title	Credits
MATH 277	Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers	3
T&L 335	Understanding Readers and Writers	3
KIN 305	Health/Physical Education for Early Childhood and Elementary Education Teachers	3
T&L 432	Learning Environments	3
T&L 404	Assessment in the Elementary Classroom	1
T&L 405	Data Literacy for Teachers	1
T&L 433	Multicultural Education	3
T&L 417	Writing & Language Arts Methods	2
T&L 474	STEM Concepts in the Elementary Classroom	3
Total Credits	22

VII. Education Methods Courses: Pre-requisites: T&L 328, 335, 339, 417, & MATH 277. Passing of the Praxis Core Exam or ACT exam equivalent is required before permission to take teacher education methods courses.

Code	Title	Credits
T&L 410	Teaching Reading in the Elementary School Classroom (TEAM)	3
T&L 430	Social Studies in the Elementary School (Team)	3
T&L 440	Mathematics in Elementary School (Team)	3
T&L 470	Science in the Elementary School (TEAM)	3
T&L 486	Field Experience	2
Total Credits	14

VIII. Student Teaching and Related Courses:

Prior to being eligible to student teach, students must complete the following prerequisites: 

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 
• Grade of C or better and 3.0 GPA in all T&L courses
• Submit full background check
• PRAXIS II completed
• Satisfactory completion of a field experience

Education Degree Missouri

Missouri Teaching Certifications and Licensing

If you complete a teacher preparation program through an approved school, you’ll have completed several steps of the certification process:

• Complete core coursework and training in compliance with the Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators (MoSPE)
• Complete student teaching with an approved cooperating teacher, including 30 hours at the start of your program, an additional 45 hours mid-program, and a minimum of 12 weeks of classroom time at the end of your program
• Maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.75
• Pass the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) exam (to qualify for a bachelor’s program)
• Complete a criminal history check and fingerprinting

Once you’ve completed this work, there are only a few steps left:

• Complete the Missouri Standards-Based Performance Assessment and the applicable content assessments
• Apply for certification with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The state will issue an Initial Professional Certificate (IPC), which is valid for up to four years. During that time, teachers need to complete at least 30 hours of continuing education, work as a teacher at least half time, and be mentored by a more seasoned teacher to qualify for the Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC), which is valid for 99 years.

How Much do Education Programs in Missouri Cost?

Depending on if you plan to attend a public or private university and whether you study on campus or earn an online teaching degree in Missouri, you can expect the sticker price to vary quite a bit. The net price – or, the average amount you’ll end up paying for a bachelor’s degree minus scholarships and grants – at a public university will range from around $9,000–$13,000 each year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Private universities are higher, with tuition ranging from $19,000–$30,000 a year. Here are a few examples of annual net price from schools in Missouri with approved teacher preparation programs:

• University of Missouri-St. Louis: $9,481
• Columbia College: $22,306
• Calvary University: $6,768
• Saint Louis University: $31,460

Of course, you’ll want to look beyond price when making your decision and consider factors like location, program type, and program rankings.

Tuition Assistance, Scholarships, and Loan Forgiveness Programs for Teachers in Missouri

It’s a good idea to begin financial planning for your education now so there are no surprises down the road. Here are few options for scholarships and financial aid to get you started.

Financial Aid: The Department of Education awards federal aid and grants to students depending on eligibility. You’ll need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year to be considered.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program: Teachers who have taught at least five years in a low-income school may be eligible for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness through this federal program.

There are also several state-level grants and scholarships opportunities:

• The Minority Teaching Scholarship awards up to $3,000 each academic year to academically talented students of color.
• The Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program awards up to $2,850 each academic year for students who meet certain need thresholds.
• The Bright Flight Program awards merit-based grants to top-performing seniors. Students receive up to $3,000, with amounts based on ACT scores.
• The E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship offers bonuses and scholarship money for the completion of a semester of work. Students also agree to an additional 6–12 months of service to children after each academic year.

Finally, Missouri lawmakers are considering a state-level financial aid program, which, if approved, can help offset the cost of your education.