College of Education

About the College

The College of Education offers a variety of programs at all levels that lead to exciting and rewarding career opportunities. It takes many types of education professionals to prepare our children, youth and adults for an ever-changing world. The College’s faculty, staff, and community partners are committed to providing experiences to build the knowledge and skills needed for individuals to be successful in multiple educational settings and occupations. These careers include teachers, principals, and superintendents for K-12 districts, schools, and classrooms; teachers and administrators for informal education organizations like museums, zoos, and nature centers; counselors and mental health professionals for schools, hospitals, corporate employee assistance programs, clinics and private settings; careers in sport management; academic and student affairs professionals in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities; and faculty in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities and career and technical education.

The College has more than 50 full-time faculty, including endowed professors and UM-System Curator's Distinguished Research Professors. Additionally, the College has many part-time faculty who have years of direct professional experience. The College offers undergraduate degrees, undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teaching certificates, Master's degrees, graduate certificate programs, Educational Specialist degrees, and Doctoral degrees. In collaboration and partnership with a vast array of educational, business, and community resources, the College provides opportunities for faculty and students to develop professional connections which will improve their careers as well as their communities.

Support Services

Student support is provided through the Office of Advising and Student Services (OASIS), 116 South Campus Classroom Building. This office contains a staff of professional undergraduate and graduate academic advisors who provide both undergraduate and M.Ed. students with the academic support they need to satisfy the requirements for state teacher certification as well as undergraduate and M.Ed. degree program requirements.

The Office of Clinical Experiences and School Partnerships, 269 Marillac Hall, houses professional staff who coordinate teacher education clinical experiences.

Accreditation

Program quality in the College of Education is recognized nationally through multiple outside professional bodies. The college is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the preparation of early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, physical, special educators, school counselors, school psychologists, principals, and superintendents. Additionally, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredits our Counseling programs and the National Association for School Psychology accredits our School Psychology program.

Centers and Initiatives

The College hosts many centers and initiatives that enhance the experience of students in our programs. Among these are: the PACT program; the Center for Character and Citizenship; the Gateway Writing Project; the Literacy Clinic; the Counseling and Social Advocacy Center; the Dr. Matthew D. Davis Racial & Social Justice Institute; and the Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education, which provides multiple pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access higher education. We also sponsor six charter schools within the City of St. Louis.

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.

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 TECH)
Elementary Education Courses (ELE ED)
Middle Education Courses (MID ED)
Higher Education Courses (HIGHERED)
Health and Physical Education Courses (HLTH PE)
Physical Education (PHY ED)
College‑Wide Education Courses (EDUC)
Secondary Education Courses (SEC ED)
Special Education Courses (SPEC ED)
Sports Management (SPTMGT)
Teacher Education Courses (TCH ED)

Teacher Education

Degrees and Areas of Concentration

Students may earn teacher certification in the fields of elementary education/special education, elementary education/TESOL endorsement, elementary education/special education/TESOL endorsement, early childhood education/early childhood special education, middle school, music education, physical education, art education, as well as the secondary education areas of biology, chemistry, English, foreign languages (French, Spanish), mathematics, physics, and social studies. Students with a Bachelor's degree can combine educator preparation and Master's-level work in selected areas. Graduate programs leading to certification are also offered in counseling, reading, school administration (elementary and secondary principal, school superintendent), and special education.

The following certification programs are designed to provide the following learning outcomes. Upon successful completion of the programs, education candidates will:

Demonstrate professionalism through (a) reflective practice for professional growth, (b) effective communication and collaboration, and (c) commitment to upholding ethical and professional standards.
Evaluate, design, and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment that apply understanding of (a) content and pedagogical knowledge, (b) learning science principles, and (c) equitable frameworks and inclusive practices.
Integrate technologies to create meaningful student learning in the context of a (a) digital and (b) global society.
Design and implement a supportive, inclusive, and culturally responsive classroom environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and emotional development of all students.
Partner with families and communities to develop relationships and build networks of support to enhance student learning and well-being.

General Education Requirements

Students in the College of Education must meet university and departmental general education requirements specified for their degree programs.

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).

The Cumulative, Content Area, and Professional Education grade point averages required for admission to the Teacher Education Program at UMSL are subject to changes in grade point average requirements promulgated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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 seeking teacher certification must also be admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

Application and Admission to the Teacher Education Program

All students seeking teacher certification must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Applications to the Teacher Education Program are processed through the Office of Advising and Student Services (OASIS). Eligibility is based upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

Submission of qualifying scores on a qualifying exam approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in areas of English, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students should consult OASIS for test descriptions, cost, required scores, dates of administration, retest policies, etc. (Students who have an earned bachelor’s degree are not required to pass the qualifying exam).
Completion of 60 hours of college or university courses (at UMSL or another accredited school).
A grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
Approved results of the Family Care Safety Registry.
A clear TB test or chest x-ray, if appropriate.

General Information

It is important that students meet with an academic advisor in the Office of Advising and Student Services once each semester. Students should contact the office at 314-516-5937 to schedule an advising appointment.

Application to Practica

Deadlines for the Formal Application are May 31 for January Practicum I candidates, December 31 for August Practicum I candidates and August 1 for Teach in 12 certification candidates who are approved to enroll in classes in August.

Upon receipt, formal applications for both pre- and post-degree (Teach in 12) students are checked to ensure they have met the following requirements:

Admission to the teacher education program for both pre- and post degree (Teach in 12) students.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 or above by the semester prior to the semester in which students plan to student teach. A 2.75 grade point average must be attained in order to graduate with a B.S. in education degree and/or be certified to teach in the state of Missouri. A 3.0 grade point average must be attained in professional education courses.
Grade point average of 3.0 in the teaching field (secondary education students only).
A grade of C or higher in all professional education courses. Lists of these courses are available in the OASIS office and from advisors.
Completion of TB screening, Missouri Family Care Safety Registry check, FBI check and Missouri substitute certificate.
Undergraduate students are required to have passed all sections of the qualifying exam designated by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The Practicum II experience in art, music, and physical education provides opportunities in a variety of settings. Students will be expected to student teach on a full-day basis for 15 weeks during an entire semester. Practicum II must be completed in residence.

For further information regarding requirements and certification, contact the Office of Advising and Student Services, 314-516-5937, 116 SCCB or consult the College of Education Advising Home Page.

Application for Degree and/or Certificate

Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S. Ed.)

Candidates for the B.S.Ed. degree must complete the graduation application; and undergraduate music and art students, as well as candidates interested in master's-level teacher certification must complete a certification application form in the Office of Advising and Student Services when they apply for admission to Practicum or during the semester before the one in which they expect to complete degree requirements. See information below on the state-required exit examination.

Bachelor of Educational Studies (B.E.S.)

Candidates should consult with the Office of Advising and Student Services or call (314) 516- 5397 for more information. This degree offers four areas of study. It does not qualify students for Missouri Teacher Certification. Visit the Education Sciences and Professional Programs Department home page for more information.

Certification

In cooperation with the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the College of Education is responsible for recommending all qualified students for state teacher certification. The curriculum usually meets all requirements for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Teacher Certification. DESE requirements, however, are subject to change and additional courses beyond degree requirements may be needed to obtain certification.

All teacher education candidates must pass the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment(s) in order to satisfy the degree requirements to earn the Bachelor of Science in Education degree. This exam must be taken during Practicum I.

Latin Honors Requirements

In accordance with the University's Latin Honors policy, candidates graduating from the College of Education in the 2026-2027 Academic Year must meet the following GPA qualifications:

Course Number	Title	Hours
Summa Cum Laude	4.000
Magna Cum Laude	3.986
Cum Laude	3.935

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:

Counseling

Educational Administration

School Administration

Educational Psychology

Education

Higher Education

Special Education

Ed.S. Programs

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

Doctoral Programs

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. The Ed.D in Educational Practice admits students to the thematic learning communities announced in December for study commencing the following fall.

Master of Education Degree

The Master of Education Degree programs are designed for graduates 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.

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 counseling and educational administration must complete a separate application (see graduate studies in the Counseling Department and the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department pages in this Bulletin). The minimum number of hours required for the M.Ed. degree is 30 credit hours, except that the K-12 school counseling and mental health emphasis areas require 60 credit hours. The school has adopted a flexible policy on exit requirements, which are determined departmentally.

Advisement and Program Planning

Upon admission, each M.Ed. student is assigned a faculty advisor but should make an advising appointment to meet with an OASIS (College of Education Advising Office) advisor for the first semester of coursework only. A faculty advisor typically advises the student regarding registration and program planning thereafter. A program plan for the master's degree must be completed during the first semester that the student's academic program commences. This form includes all coursework required for the academic program and the exit requirement.

Students working toward teacher certification as graduate students should complete state certification forms in OASIS (College of Education Advising Office) one year before those requirements will be completed. Just remove this sentence).

Faculty Advisor Assignment Information

All M.Ed. students will be assigned an advisor by OASIS, the College of Education Advising Office, located in 116 SCCB. If any M.Ed. student determines that an advisor assignment has not been appropriately documented in MyView, please contact OASIS (College of Education Advising Office) at 516-5937. If a student would like to change their faculty advisor assignment for any master's degree program, please contact OASIS for further information. The faculty advisor information will subsequently be updated in MyView.

Educational Specialist Degree

The Ed.S. degree is intended 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 postbaccalaureate course work 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 and can include credits taken in an M.Ed. in Educational Administration program.

The Educational Specialist Degree program is designed for graduates to attain the following learning outcomes:

Expand their knowledge of the major theories in their area of specialty.
Attain a solid foundation in the field of education in general and a depth of knowledge in the specialty.
Think critically.
Develop skills to become a reflective practitioner.
Mentor teachers and other practitioners as a specialist in a specific area.
Understand research methods in education.
Conduct research.
Demonstrate leadership skills and attributes.

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, and letters of recommendation.

Advisement and Program Planning

For advising and program planning, school psychology students should contact the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs, 469 Marillac Hall, 314-516-5944. Educational administration students should contact the Office of Advising & Student Services (OASIS), 116 South Campus Classroom Building, at 314-516-5937.

Doctor of Education Degree

The Doctor of Education program (Ed.D.) with an emphasis in Educational Practice provides an accelerated doctoral experience structured to leverage the benefits of the collaborative dissertation model and immerse students in action research as part of a cohort community.

Scholar-practitioners typically work as part of a dissertation team of two or more students to investigate a high-impact Problem of Practice (PoP). The research experience encompasses the scholarly process of conducting research and possibly collaborating with community stakeholders to review extant data related to the Problem of Practice. Students explore solutions to the Problem of Practice that impacts the local community and the educational workplace, and they also investigate national implications.

Students are admitted to the degree program and simultaneously to a Learning Community of Practice that is formed around a central theme. Learning Communities begin during the Fall semester. Members of the learning community advance through the program together as a cohort and complete the degree requirements within 3 to 3 ½ years. Students enroll in approximately 5-7 credits each semester. A collaborative Dissertation in Practice (DIP) is the culminating capstone project.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The Ph.D. degree in Education is designed for educators who desire directed research experiences promoting scholarly inquiry in education. Four emphases are available:

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

The Ph.D. program is designed for graduates to attain the following learning outcomes:

Understand the major theories in their primary and secondary disciplines;
Attain a breadth of knowledge in education in general and a depth of knowledge in the primary discipline;
Think critically;
Locate literature in the primary and secondary disciplines;
Understand research methods in education;
Conduct research; and
Demonstrate leadership skills and attributes

Licensure and Certification

As of June 1, 2025 it has been determined that the following programs meet educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. states and territories.

Applied Behavior Analysis Certification
Applied Behavior Analysis MS

As of June 1, 2025, it has been determined that the following programs meet educational requirements for DESE Certification in Missouri. All graduates are strongly encouraged to obtain their initial teaching certificate for Missouri, whether one plans to reside in Missouri or not. Many states offer reciprocal licensure agreements or temporary/provisional licenses, allowing graduates who obtained a teaching certificate in Missouri to apply for licensure with minimal additional requirements.

Early Childhood Education BSEd
Elementary Education BSEd
Physical Ed BESd
Secondary Education BSEd
Studio Art BFA
Music BM
Educational Psychology MEd
Counseling MEd/School Counseling
Counseling MEd/Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Educational Administration MEd/School Leadership Preparation
Educational Admin EdS
Educational Admin EdS/Executive Superintendency
Teach in 12(Tin12) MEd
Teach in Residency MEd
Elementary & Secondary Education Teach in 12, Graduate Certificate

Students who live outside the state of Missouri and are considering enrolling in any program that leads to a professional licensure are strongly encouraged to inquire with the applicable licensing board to determine the most up-to-date information regarding state licensure requirements prior to enrolling in any academic program. UMSL updates state licensure requirements annually; however, state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, which can impact the program's ability to meet educational requirements for licensure or certification. For the most up to date information about Licensure and Certification requirements, please visit the State Approvals site for UMSL.

If you plan to seek licensure in one of the states listed above, please contact the College of Education Advising Office at 314-516-4970 for more information.