Education MEd, Elementary and Special Education Teacher Certification Emphasis
The Master’s Degree in Education is an accredited program appropriate for K-12 teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.
Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.
This program of study is for individuals with a bachelor's degree who would like to pursue elementary teacher certification and the Master’s Degree in Education. This option leads to Missouri Initial Teacher Certification in Elementary Teaching 1-6 with an add-on in Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Disabilities, K-12 Special Education.
It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general graduate admission requirements of the Graduate School, described in the UMSL catalog. Students are considered for admission to the graduate program in Education only after they have formally applied for admission through the Graduate School. Applications may be completed on-line.
Degree Requirements
Curricular Program
The M.Ed. in Education consists of 4 required courses (12 hours) plus candidate choice from emphasis areas and electives (18 hours) for a total of 30 hours. Program requirements are met by:
(a) completing 2 required foundation courses (6 hours) toward the beginning of the M.Ed. program
(b) completing the coursework for an emphasis area and/or electives (18 hours)
(c) completing the 2 exit research capstone classes (6 hours)
Most emphasis areas indicate 3-6 required courses. In addition, electives allow candidates to construct an individualized set of target courses. Transfer graduate credit from another institution may also fit into elective hours.
Candidates seeking certifications with the master’s program may require additional coursework and State of Missouri assessments (Reading, TESOL, initial teacher certification).
| Required Core | ||
| Students are required to complete the following courses within the first 15 hours of study. | ||
| TCH ED 6010 | Examining History, Community and Social Justice in Education | 3 |
| ED PSY 6030 | 1 | 3 |
| Required Research Courses | ||
| These two research courses should be taken in sequence (not concurrently) at the end of the program. Candidates will design and execute a piece of original practitioner research and present their findings in a public forum. | ||
| TCH ED 6909 | Teacher Action Research I | 3 |
| TCH ED 6910 | Teacher Action Research Capstone | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Students earning the TESOL emphasis area will be required to take TCH ED 6240 instead of ED PSY 6030 in order to meet state certification requirements.
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis Area
In addition to the admission requirements above, candidates must meet the following admission requirements for the Option in Teacher Certification:
- A passing score on the designated Missouri Content Examination or an approved program of study
- A 2.75 or higher overall GPA
- Approved results of the Family Care Safety Registry
- A clear TB test or chest x-ray, if appropriate
In addition to the required courses above (12 hours), candidates seeking an Elementary and Special Education Teacher Emphasis are required to complete the following coursework:
| Required Certification Courses | ||
| TCH ED 5001 | Advanced Mid-Level Clinical Experience: Diverse Learners | 1 |
| TCH ED 6565 | Enriching Learning through Multicultural Arts, Music, Physical Education and Health | 1-2 |
| TCH ED 6566 | Cross-Curricular Connections with Multicultural Arts, Music, Physical Education and Health | 1 |
| ED PSY 6222 | Advanced Studies in Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| TCH ED 5310A | Instructional Design: Lesson Planning for Teachers | 2 |
| ELE ED 6337 | Teaching and Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classrooms: Teaching Reading and Writing | 3 |
| ELE ED 6342 | Addressing the Mathematical Needs of Students | 3 |
| ED TECH 6135 | Technology for Preparing Inquiry-Based Teaching | 1 |
| SPEC ED 6412 | Foundations of Inclusive Education | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6315 | Speech and Language Interventions for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6325 | Positive Behavior Interventions for Individual, Classroom, and School-wide Systems | 3 |
| ELE ED 6338 | Literacy Assessment for Guided Instruction | 3 |
| ELE ED 6241 | Science Content, Inquiry-Based Instruction, and Assessment: STEM-Integrated Pedagogy | 2 |
| ELE ED 6246 | Math Content Pedagogy, Inquiry-Based Instruction, and Assessment | 3 |
| ELE ED 6253 | Teaching Social Studies through Reading, Writing, and English Language Learning | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6342 | Advanced Transition Issues and Planning | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6346 | Reading Instruction and Intervention in Special Education | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6415 | Disability Law and Policy | 3 |
| ELE ED 5989 | Practicum I: Elementary/Special Education Site-Based Experience | 2 |
| ELE ED 5990 | Practicum II: Elementary/Special Education Site-Based Experience | 8 |
| Total Hours | 54-55 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- 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 advanced 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.