Open more doors and make a greater impact. 

The Master of Education with certification is a program of study for individuals with a bachelor's degree who would like to pursue teacher certification and the Master’s Degree in Education. This MEd leads to Missouri Initial Teacher Certification in the area of concentration. The Master of Education with certification has three emphasis areas:

  • Elementary and Special Education Teacher Certification
  • Elementary Teacher Certification
  • Secondary Teacher Certification

Master of Education with Certification

The Master of Education with Certification program offers a unique opportunity for individuals who aspire to pursue a master's degree and obtain Missouri Initial Teacher Certification. In addition to providing advanced coursework, the program provides candidates with opportunities to engage in action research and acquire hands-on experience within educational work settings. Through this program, you will gain the advanced knowledge, specialized skills, and valuable classrom exposure that is essential to becoming a more successful and effective educator. Our educational approach is centered on assisting you in achieving excellent academic outcomes and helping you to improve the futures of our youth.

 

Program type:

Graduate, MEd

Format:

Online, with in-person practicum

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Why earn your Master of Education with Certification at UMSL?

Our teacher programs offer unique capstone experiences, two practica in Studio Schools. These are schools and districts where design happens, using a differentiated staffing plan. Specifically, teacher candidates will work in the school site as a faculty member, planning and teaching to provide in-depth support, flexibility, and intervention for secondary students where it’s needed. The focus of this model is on K–12 student learning. Teacher candidates, supported by the supervisor and school site mentor, will impact secondary students in multiple, varied and wide ranging grade level, achievement and subject specific contexts. These can include small group settings, whole class lessons, enrichment and support lessons all focused learning experiences. Clinical Experiences may include:

  • 20 clock hours working in a community agency
  • 2 site-based practicum courses immersed in a Studio School
    • Practicum One: 2 days per week working as a Triton Teacher
    • Practicum Two: 4 days per week working as a Triton Teacher

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Students will enhance their pedagogical understanding, acknowledge disparities in educational access, create customized assessments to guide their instruction, analyze their professional practices with a critical lens, and demonstrate a dedication to ethical conduct in their profession. Graduates can expect to attain the following learning outcomes:

  • Understand the major theories in the discipline of study.
  • Attain a solid foundation in the overall field of education in general, including areas of social justice, educational leadership and advocacy, educational psychology and research.
  • Attain a depth of knowledge in the primary discipline.
  • Think critically.
  • Develop skills as a reflective practitioner to be able to create and sustain change.
  • Conduct teacher research.

Employment of high school teachers is projected to grow up to 1% to 2032, with a median annual salary of $62,360, according to wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



$62,360

Median annual salary

1%

Employment growth by 2032

Career Opportunities

  • Elementary School Teacher
  • Secondary School Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Curriculum Developer
  • Educational Consultant
  • Tutor

 

Admissions requirements include an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an overall grade point average of 2.75 or higher, a completed UMSL Graduate School Application and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Application Deadlines

Fall - July 1, Spring - December 1, Summer - May 1

Plan of study

Elementary and Special Education Teacher Certification

Elementary and Special Education Teacher Certification

Review Full Degree Requirements
Elementary Teacher Certification

Elementary Teacher Certification

Review Full Degree Requirements
Secondary Teacher Certification

Secondary Teacher Certification

Review Full Degree Requirements

 

Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Student Organizations - Make new friends and learn new skills by joining one of our Recognized Student Organizations

Career Services – Students have access to professional career counselors who can assist in everything from resume development and interview preparation to lining up an internship or connecting you with your next fulltime career. UMSL alumni also enjoy high quality, lifelong career management programming, services, events and resources to assist in all phases of career development.

Networking – with the largest alumni network in the region, UMSL graduate students have access to leading professionals engaged in business, research, entrepreneurship, non-profit, government, community organizations. Our academic units engage this network in curriculum development to ensure our graduate students gain the skills needed to advance along their choose career path.

Research – There are many opportunities for graduate students to showcase their research including our annual Graduate Research Fair, which is open to students from all graduate programs. Doctoral and thesis master’s students can also compete in the Three Minute Thesis challenge to be evaluated by a panel of judges for a chance to win cash prizes.