Teacher Education and Certification
Early Childhood
In Missouri, early childhood teacher certification spans birth through third grade. The early childhood education program is endorsed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Students will have the opportunity for field experiences at the S&T Child Development Center on campus. For a list of required courses, please see the early childhood section of the department website https://education.mst.edu/.
Educational Studies
This emphasis is designed for students wanting to work in informal educational contexts outside of K-12 schools. The educational studies emphasis is more flexible so students may choose electives aligned with their career goals. This emphasis does not require student teaching and does not result in Missouri teacher certification.
Elementary Education
In Missouri, elementary teacher certification spans grades 1-6. The elementary education program is endorsed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Graduates of this program will have the knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) to share with 1st through 6th grade students. Project Lead The Way: Launch classroom teacher certification is embedded in the emphasis. For a list of required courses, please see the elementary section of the department website https://education.mst.edu/.
Middle School Education
In Missouri, middle school certification spans grades 5-9. You will earn a bachelor of science degree in education with an emphasis in one of the following areas:
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
You must take at least 24 credit hours in your content area as approved by DESE and the required education courses.
Secondary Education
At S&T, you will earn a degree in your content area while pursuing secondary teaching certification. See the degree requirements for those departments in the catalog for more information.
Applied Mathematics
Biological Sciences
Business and Management Systems
Chemistry
English
Environmental Science
Physics
Social Science*
*History, and Psychology degrees are eligible for this certification, if coursework requirements are fulfilled.
General Education Requirements
General education requirements are intended to provide you with the intellectual knowledge and skills for basic education. This body of knowledge and skills is arranged according to two broad categories: systems of symbolic thought and communication represented by linguistic and mathematical studies, and systems of intellectual inquiry represented by basic academic disciplines. In addition, you must complete one course in cultural diversity, and the general education requirements may be fulfilled at the same time. Students must complete the General Education Requirements as stated in the catalog, as applicable to the student's catalog year.
The following are generic requirements for all education students. However, any degree requirement not included in these general education requirements must be included in the professional requirements or subject matter requirements for each degree program.
I. Symbolic Thought & Communications
- Communication studies (six credit hours): You are required to take two courses in communications as stated in the catalog for general education requirements.
- Mathematical (three credit hours). The course must be college algebra or above as stated in the catalog for general education requirements.
II. Systems of Intellectual Inquiry
- Humanities and Fine Arts as stated in the catalog for general education requirements.
- Natural science: One course in biological sciences and one in physical sciences. A laboratory is also required. As stated in the catalog for general education requirements.
- Social and behavioral science as stated in the catalog for general education requirements.
Secondary Education
In addition to the prescribed general education courses, if you are preparing to become a secondary school teacher you must complete the following secondary professional education courses:
| EDUC 1074 | Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| EDUC 1104 | Teacher Field Experience I | 1 |
| EDUC 1164 | Teacher Field Experience II | 2 |
| EDUC 2102/PSYCH 2300 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDUC 2310 | Education Of The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| EDUC 3170 | Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle/High School | 3 |
| EDUC 3216 | Instructional Literacy in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDUC 3280 | Instructional Strategies in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDUC 3298 | Teacher Field Experience III | 1 |
| EDUC 3340 | Assessment of Student Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 4298 | Student Teaching Seminar | 1 |
| EDUC 4299 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| PSYCH 3310 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| The required courses of at least one teaching major. | ||
You may major in English with English certification (9-12); history or psychology with social studies certification (9-12); mathematics with mathematics certification (9-12); biological sciences with biology certification (9-12); chemistry with chemistry certification (9-12); physics with physics certification (9-12); environmental sciences with earth science certification (9-12); or business and management systems with business education certification (9-12).
You must meet Missouri S&T degree requirements and, in addition, course requirements for certification. The necessary course requirement arrangements will be coordinated through the education office. The complete list of requirements is available at https://education.mst.edu/.