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College of Education

College of Education Home Page

Accreditation
The University of Missouri‑St. Louis, through the College of Education, is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education for the preparation of early childhood, elementary, special education, physical education, secondary school teachers and school service personnel.

Course Designations in the College of Education
The following abbreviations are used to indicate instructional areas in the course listings and descriptions in the College of Education.

Adult Education Courses (Adu Ed)
Counselor Education Courses (Cns Ed)
Early Childhood Education Courses (Ech Ed)
Educational Administration Courses (Ed Adm)
Educational Foundations Courses (Ed Fnd)
Educational Psychology Courses (Ed Psy)
Educational Research and Evaluation Methods Courses (Ed Rem)
Educational Technology Courses (Ed Tec)
Elementary Education Courses (Ele Ed)
Middle Education Courses (Mid Ed)
Higher Education Courses  (Hir Ed)
Physical Education Courses (Phy Ed)
School‑Wide Education Courses (Educ)
Secondary Education Courses (Sec Ed)
Special Education Courses (Spc Ed)
Teacher Education Courses (Tch Ed)

Teacher Education

Degrees and Areas of Concentration
The College of Education offers certification programs leading to the B.S. in education with specialization in any of the following: early childhood education, elementary education, special education, physical education, and secondary education. Courses are also available for those seeking certification for middle school language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. K-12 certification is available for music, art, foreign language and health.  In cooperation with other schools and colleges of the university, the College of Education provides a program for students pursuing other degrees and also planning for a teaching career in secondary education.

General Education Requirements
Students in the College of Education must meet university and departmental general education requirements specified for their degrees.

Academic Residence
Students must be in residence for 30 of the last 30 semester hours of credit. Courses graded on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis are not accepted within these last 30 semester credit hours. This residency requirement applies to students seeking a degree or teacher certification.

Education Majors
Professional education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C (2.0). A C- grade is not acceptable.

Admission to the College of Education
Any students who designate education degree programs as their intended degree paths will have Education as their assigned academic unit.  Students admitted to the College of Education and also desiring teacher certification must also be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

Application and Admission to the Teacher Education Program
All students (pre- and post-degree) who wish to become teachers must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program regardless of the college in which they are enrolled. The admission program requires student action at the following levels.

Applications to the Teacher Education Program are processed through the Teacher Certification and Advising Office (TC & A).  Eligibility is based upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

  • Submission of qualifying scores on C-BASE in areas of English, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, as mandated by the Missouri Excellence in Education Act of 1985. Consult Teacher Certification & Advising Office – College of Education, for test descriptions, cost, required scores, dates of administration, retest policies, etc. Acceptable C‑BASE scores are required in addition to acceptable ACT or SAT scores. (C‑BASE not applicable to students with a bachelor’s degree. Graduates of the general studies program at UM‑St. Louis, however, must take the C‑BASE).
  • Scores of either 20 on the ACT Composite (18, when taken prior to 11‑1‑89) or 800 on the SAT (verbal plus math)*.
  • Completion of 60 hours of college or university courses (at UM‑St. Louis or another accredited school).
  • A grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
  • Completion of level one courses, or the equivalent, with a grade of C or better.
  • Submission of a criminal record check and child abuse/neglect screening.

General Information
 
* Policy for Students Scoring Below ACT and SAT Qualifying Requirements
Students who do not achieve satisfactory scores of 20 on the ACT or 800 on the SAT may retake the test(s) until the requirement is met.

Students with a documented disabling condition, preventing valid test administration of the ACT or SAT, may be evaluated for basic educational competencies through appropriate testing instruments and/or procedures. Students should contact campus Disability Access Services.

Students who do not meet the initial ACT or SAT qualifying scores may seek assistance in upgrading basic competencies through contact with one or more of the following University of Missouri‑St. Louis services:
Center for Academic Development; Women's Center; Counseling Service; Veteran Affairs Office; Video Instructional Program; Horizons (Peer Counseling Center).

In addition, assistance may be available through correspondence courses, University of Missouri‑Columbia. Copies of this policy are available in the Teacher Certification and Advising Office.

Professional Internship Semester

Students in the early childhood, elementary, special education and secondary certification programs participate in a three credit hour Professional Internship, taken the semester prior to student teaching. The internship and student teaching application is the same and is according to the deadlines for Student Teaching. Internships involve education students one day per week in a school site setting throughout the semester.  See the student teaching guidelines for application due dates.

Application to the Student Teaching Program
The application for student teaching is a two-part process that begins the semesters prior to student teaching.

Deadlines for the Formal Application

Fall Student Teaching         First week of February of the previous year
Winter Student Teaching   First week of September of the previous year

*Check ‘My Gateway’ and the student teaching bulletin board in Marillac Hall for exact date.

Upon receipt, formal applications for both pre- and post degree students are checked to ensure they have met the following requirements:

  • Full admission to the teacher education program for both pre‑ and post degree students.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above by the semester before the one in which students plan to do their student teaching.  The 2.5 cumulative grade point average must be maintained in order to graduate with a B.S. in education degree and/or be certified to teach in the state of Missouri.
  • Grade point average of 2.5 in the teaching field (secondary education students only).
  • A grade of C or better in all professional education courses so designated. Lists of these courses available in the TC & A office and from advisers. A grade of C- is not acceptable.
  • Completion of TB screening, police, and child abuse checks.

The student teaching experience in the early childhood, music, physical education, and special education certification programs has been strengthened by providing assignments in two different school settings.  Students will be expected to do student teaching on a full-day basis for 14-weeks an entire semester. The student teaching experience in elementary, middle school and secondary content areas completed at one site for a full semester. The student teaching experience must be completed in residence. Secondary student teaching in science education, mathematics education, and foreign language education is offered only during the winter semester.

Policies regarding withdrawal or removal from student teaching are found in the appropriate student teaching handbook. These are found in the ‘online student teaching application’ section of the College webpage.

For further information regarding certification, contact the  Teaching Certification and Advising Office (TC & A) at 155 Marillac Hall.

Application for Degree and/or Certificate

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.)
Candidates for the B.S.Ed. degree must complete degree and certificate application forms in the TC & A Office when they apply for admission to internship/student teaching or during the semester before the one in which they expect to finish degree requirements.  See information below on the on PRAXIS examination.

The College of Education requires a background check, current within one year, for every UMSL student in the teacher education program.  Please note that students wishing to be certified will still be responsible for a more thorough, fingerprint background check as required by Missouri State Law before a certification will be issued. All background check information will be available to students upon their request.

Bachelor of Educational Studies (B.E.S.)
Candidates should consult the TC & A Office, 155 Marillac Hall for more information. This degree offers three areas of study: Early Childhood, Exercise Science and Professional Studies.

Bachelor of Science in Community Education
Candidate should consult the TC & A Office, 155 Marillac Hall for more information.

Students taking evening course offerings should complete degree application forms and certification application forms in the TC & A Office.

Bachelor of Arts
Students seeking the B.A. degree with teacher certification must complete a state certification form with the TC & A. See note below on the on PRAXIS examination.

Certification
In cooperation with the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the College of Education is responsible for recommending all students for state teacher certification.

All individuals must pass the appropriate Praxis/National Teacher's Examination to meet graduation and/or certification requirements. This exam should be taken during the semester immediately prior to that of student teaching.

Students may earn certification in the fields of elementary education, early childhood education, middle school, music education, physical education special education (cross categorical), art education, as well as the secondary  education areas of biology, chemistry, English, foreign languages (French, German, Spanish), mathematics, physics, social studies, and speech/theater. Graduate programs leading to certification are offered in counseling, reading, school administration (elementary and secondary principal, school superintendent), and special education.

Graduate Level Certification Program
Applicants who already hold a Bachelor’s degree in a teaching field can work toward secondary education certification by taking 18 credit hours of coursework and student teaching within a minimum of one calendar year. 
Coursework includes:

Tch Ed 5310: Designing Instruction, 3 credits (includes 14 clock hours of field experience)
Tch Ed 5311: Educational Foundations, 4 credits (includes 10 clock hours of field experience)
Ed Psy 6109: Learning and Development in Secondary School Settings, 4 credits (includes 8 clock hours of field experience)
*Tch Ed 5312: Differentiated Instruction, 4 credit hours (includes 12 clock hours of field experience)
Sec Ed 4989: Secondary Education Professional Internship, 3 credits (includes 84 clock hours of field experience)
Sec Ed 4990: Student Teaching, 12 credits (full days in a school for one semester)

Students seeking certification via this program must meet with advisors in the College of Education Graduate Education Office, Teacher Certification and Advising Office and secondary education faculty members in the content (teaching) area to plan specific programs and review requirements. Any hours in addition to the above necessary to meet state teacher certification requirements will be determined.

*This course, pending formal approval, could be substituted with an equivalent course.  See the Graduate Office, secondary faculty or Teacher Certification and Advising Office for more information.

Graduate Studies in Education

Degrees and Areas of Emphasis
The College of Education offers Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational specialist (Ed.S.), and doctoral degrees at the graduate level. The M.Ed. degrees and the emphasis areas are:
     •   Adult and Higher Education
         * Adult Education emphasis
         * Higher Education emphasis
     •   Counseling
         * Elementary School Counseling emphasis
         * Secondary School Counseling emphasis
         * Community Counseling emphasis
     •   Educational Administration
         * Community Education emphasis
         * Elementary Administration emphasis
         * Secondary Administration emphasis
     •   Elementary Education
         * Early Childhood Education emphasis
         * General emphasis
         * Reading emphasis
     •   Secondary Education
         * Curriculum and Instruction emphasis
         * General emphasis
         * Reading emphasis
     •   Special Education
         * General emphasis
         * Early Childhood/Special Education emphasis

Courses are available for areas of specialization within the M.Ed. programs, including educational technology, physical education, educational psychology, and the various secondary school subject areas.

Ed.S. degree programs are available in school psychology and educational administration.

Programs leading to the Ed.D. degree are offered in four broad interdisciplinary emphasis areas: Educational Administration; Adult & Higher Education; Teaching-Learning Processes; and Counselor Education.  Programs leading to the Ph.D. degree are offered in the areas of Counseling, Educational Psychology, Teaching-Learning Processes, and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Master of Education Degree

Admission and General Requirements
The College of Education follows Graduate School policies relating to admissions, academic standards, residency, transfer credit, time limitations, and thesis options (see Graduate Study in this Bulletin). In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants for school or community counseling must complete a separate application (see graduate studies in the Counseling division in this Bulletin). The minimum number of hours required for the M.Ed. degree is 32 or 33 except that the elementary, secondary, and community counseling emphases require 48 hours. The school has adopted a flexible policy on exit requirements, which are determined divisionally.

Advisement and Program Planning
Upon acceptance, each student can contact the Office of Graduate Education for an appointment with the graduate advisor for a first semester course of study (314) 516-5483 or NAshford@umsl.edu). After acceptance, each student completes an adviser form, sent by the College of Education's Office of Graduate Education, 123 SCCB. A faculty adviser is then appointed who counsels the student in registration and program planning. A program for master's degree form must be submitted for approval during the first half of the student's program. This form includes all course work in the program and the exit requirement. Once approved, the degree program may be changed only by petition.

Students working toward teacher and/or school service personnel certification as graduate students should complete state certification forms in the Teacher Certification and Advising Office, 155 Marillac Hall, one year before those requirements will be completed.

Educational Specialist Degree
The Ed.S. degree is intended to be a terminal degree for school personnel preparing for a specific role, either that of a school psychologist or that of a school building or district administrator.  The programs require 60 hours of course work, post-baccalaureate.  Both programs are designed to meet the respective Missouri certification requirements.  The Ed.S. in School Psychology degree program requires three years of intensive, full-time training but students may be able to complete up to half of the curriculum as a part-time student.  The Ed.S. in Educational Administration can be pursued on a part time or a full time basis.

Admission and General Requirements  
The College of Education follows Graduate School policies relating to admissions, academic standards, residency, transfer credit, time limitations, and exit requirements.  Specific materials required for application vary by program, but generally applicants should submit an application to The Graduate School, transcripts of previous college work, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.

Advisement and Program Planning
For advising and program planning, school psychology students should contact the Division of Educational Psychology , Research and Evaluation, 402 Marillac Hall, 314-516-5783. Educational administration students should contact the Division of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 269 Marillac Hall, 314-516-5944.

Doctor of Education Degree

The Ed.D. degree is designed primarily for the field practitioner and  prepares professional leaders who are competent in identifying and solving complex problems in education.  Four emphasis areas embrace general categories of professional activities:  Educational Administration; Adult & Higher Education; Teaching-Learning Processes; and Counselor Education.

Students seeking the Ed.D. degree are expected to meet the doctoral degree requirements and procedures adopted by the Graduate School. (See Doctoral Degree Requirements for details.)

Admission and General Requirements
In addition to meeting the application and admissions requirements of the Graduate School, students must submit three letters of recommendation (two letters must be from individuals with an earned doctorate, preferably prior instructors), along with a professional resume.  Because enrollment is competitive, admission standards are comparatively high.  Successful candidates must exhibit significantly above-average academic records and GRE scores.  In exceptional cases, other criteria may outweigh these customary indicators of probable academic success.

At least two years of teaching or other school service experiences are required for admission.  Exceptions may be made by substituting a supervised internship during the first year of the program.

Admission Application
In order to ensure time for review and decision, complete applications and accompanying materials must reach the office of admissions in a timely manner.  In addition, applicants are urged to request transcripts and letters or recommendation two weeks before submitting their papers.  Consideration of applications cannot be undertaken until all materials are available. Degree Requirements

 
1. Foundations, 12 hours from: philosophical, historical, psychological, sociological, anthropological, and comparative foundations of education, as well as curriculum, instruction and supervision.

2. Research Methods, 12 hours:

Students in the Educational Administration, Adult and Higher Education, and Teaching-Learning Processes options should complete the following or equivalent in order:

Ed Rem 6735: Statistical Analysis for Educational Research (pre-requisite)
Ed Rem 6750: Advanced Research Design in Education

Plus any two methods courses from the following:

Ed Rem 7771: Quantitative Research Methods I
Ed Rem 7772: Quantitative Research methods II
Ed Rem 7781: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I
Ed Rem 7782: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II
This sequence totals 12 hours of methods courses. Any remaining required hours could be completed with other Ed Rem courses numbered 6000 or higher or research courses in another curriculum.

Students in the Counselor Education option should complete the following sequence:

Ed Rem 6710: Educational Research Methods and Design
Ed Rem 7771: Quantitative Research Methods I
Ed Rem 7781: Qualitative Research Methods I

Plus any one method course from the following:

Ed Rem 7772: Quantitative Research Methods II
Ed Rem 7782: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II

3. Common doctoral seminars, 6 hours

Educ 7050, The Research Process I: Framing Research Questions with the Education Literature
Educ 7950, The Research Process II: Developing and Refining Education Research Proposals

4. Major Specialization, 21-39 hours:

Educational Administration Option
Educational Administration (ED ADM) or other courses selected in consultation with the advisory committee, including internship (3-9 hours)

Adult and Higher Education Option
Adult Education (ADU ED) or Higher Education (HIR ED) or other courses selected in consultation with the advisory committee, including internship (3-9 hours)

Teaching-Learning Processes Option
Teacher Education (TCH ED) courses or courses in education in a teaching field, including courses on curriculum construction and the design and improvement of instruction, all selected in consultation with the advisory committee, including internship (3-9 hours)

Counselor Education Option
Counseling Education (CNS ED) or other courses selected in consultation with the advisory committee, including internship (3-9 hours)

5. Minor Specialization, 12-18 hours

A secondary area of expertise identified in consultation with the advisory committee

6. Dissertation, 12 hours

Total: minimum 90 hours, postbaccalaureate

Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The Ph.D. degree in education, offered in cooperation with the School of Education at the University of Missouri-
Kansas City and the College of Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, is designed for educators who desire directed research experience promoting scholarly inquiry in education.  Four emphases are available:  

  • Teaching-learning processes
  • Educational leadership and policy studies
  • Educational psychology
  • Counseling

Admission and General Requirements
In addition to meeting the application and admissions requirements of the Graduate School , students must submit:

  • Three letters of recommendation (at least two from individuals with earned doctorates, preferably prior instructors).
  • An original essay.
  • A professional resume.
  • Evidence of above-average academic records.
  • GRE scores

A favorable vote of an admission interview committee, composed of faculty in the emphasis area, is required. Admission is competitive.

Admission Application
To ensure time for review and decision, complete applications and accompanying materials must reach the office of admission in a timely manner.  In addition, applicants are urged to request transcripts and letters of recommendation at least two weeks before submitting their papers.  Consideration of applications cannot be undertaken until all materials are available.  Applicants to the Counseling emphasis are asked to apply by January 15th.

Degree Requirements

1. Foundations, 9-12 hours:
Philosophical, historical, psychological, sociological, anthropological, and comparative foundations of education, as well as curriculum, instruction, and supervision.

2. Research Methods 15-18 hours:
Students in the Teaching-Learning Processes, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, and Educational Psychology emphasis areas should complete the following or equivalent in order:

Ed Rem 6735: Statistical Analysis for Educational Research (Pre-requisite)
Ed Rem 6750: Advanced Research Design in Education

Plus any three methods courses from the following:

Ed Rem 7771: Quantitative Research Methods I
Ed Rem 7772: Quantitative Research Methods II
Ed Rem 7781: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I
Ed Rem 7782: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II
This sequence totals 15 hours of methods courses. Remaining hours can be completed with other Ed Rem courses numbered 6000 or higher or research courses in another curriculum.

For Ph.D. students in the Counseling emphasis area, the recommended sequence is:

Ed Rem 6710: Educational Research Methods and Design
Ed Rem 7771: Quantitative Research Methods I
Ed Rem 7772: Quantitative Research Methods II
Ed Rem 7781: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I
Ed Rem 7782: Qualitative methods Educational Research II

3. Foreign Language Proficiency or Other Research Tools, equivalent to 6 hours

4. Emphasis Area (Primary Discipline) courses, 21-27 hours, with at least 16 in residence, in one of the following areas:

A. Teaching-Learning Processes
Minimum 15 hours in cognate area
Minimum 3 hours in curriculum or instruction
Minimum 3 hours in educational psychology

B. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Minimum 21 hours in educational leadership, either in K-12, higher education, work, adult, or community education settings, selected in consultation with the faculty advisor and advisory committee.

C. Educational Psychology
Minimum of 21 hour in educational psychology. Program may include courses in research and evaluation methods, school psychology, developmental psychology, cognition and learning, character education, and socio-cultural theory. Courses in the primary discipline will be selected in consultation with the faculty adviser and advisory committee.

D. Counseling
Cns Ed 6030, Foundations for Multicultural Counseling
Cns Ed 6040, Group Procedures in Counseling
Cns Ed 6050, Individual Inventory
Cns Ed 6370, Community Counseling Practicum (or Cns Ed 6270, School Counseling Practicum)
Cns Ed 6380, Community Counseling Field Experience (6 hours) (or Cns Ed 6280, School Counseling Field Experience I and Cns Ed 6285 School Counseling Field Experience II
Cns Ed 6400, Career Information and Development
Cns Ed 6410, Advanced Career Development
Cns Ed 7000, Advanced Theories of Counseling and Family Therapy
Cns Ed 7010, Advanced Multicultural Counseling
Cns Ed 7020, Seminar in Counseling Research
Cns Ed 7030, Counselor Education and Supervision
Cns Ed 7770, Doctoral Practicum (3 hours)

Additionally, all students should complete Cns Ed 7780, Doctoral Internship (6 hrs) as a research internship; and a secondary discipline in Ed Psy consisting of at least Ed Psy 6310, Psychology of Learning Processes, Ed Psy 6113, Personality Development and Adjustment, and Ed Rem 6718, Psycho-Educational Assessment II

5. Related (Secondary Discipline) Courses, 12-15 hours, in education or another department.

6. Required Exit course, 3 hours
Education 7950, The Research Process II: Developing and Refining Education Research Proposals

7. Research Internship, 6-9 hours

8. Dissertation, 12 hours

Total: Minimum 90 hours, postbaccalaureate

Support Services
The College of Education maintains a number of offices and centers to directly assist students, faculty, and people in the metropolitan area and to support its instructional, research, and service activities.

Teacher Certification & Advising Office- - 155 Marillac
This office supplies advisement services for undergraduate teacher education and certification students. It coordinates the clinical experiences of the College of Education and directs the student teaching program.

Office of Graduate Education - 123 SCCB
Information about admission to, and requirements of, graduate programs in education may be obtained in this office. The office also assists students with advisement, registration, graduation and related topics, and maintains student records.

Teacher Education Resource Center - G01
The center is designed as an instructional media laboratory. The Instructional Technology Center located in Lucas Hall also has an office in the center.

Human Services Unit - B23A ED LIB
The human services unit is a training facility for graduate students supervised by faculty in the Division of Counseling. Career counseling and assistance with vocational, adult, or adolescent developmental concerns are available to individuals in the community.

Reading Clinic - B9 ED LIB
The reading clinic provides a laboratory setting for graduate level elementary and secondary teachers who are seeking certification as reading specialists. The clinic has been providing services to the surrounding community in diagnosing and treating severe reading problems in children and adults since 1966. The clinic also serves as a demonstration and materials center for preservice and inservice teacher education, as well as a clinical research facility for the faculty.

University Child Development Center - 130 SCB
The center provides university students with observation, participation, research, and similar educational and clinical opportunities; it also offers quality child care programs for children of student, faculty, staff, and community families.

Technology and Learning Center - 100 Marillac
The center provides education students and faculty a model environment for managing new methods of
teaching through the newest technologies; a place to research and develop technology-enhanced teaching methods to engage K-12 students; and programs that connect school classrooms to the workplace.