This program of study is for individuals with a Bachelor's degree who would like to prepare for teacher certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. This graduate certificate program 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. These courses are also what DESE requires for the elementary and special education certifications.
Admission Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Elementary and Special Education School Teaching:
- 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
- Students must meet the application deadlines set by the Graduate School
Graduate Certificate in Elementary and Special Education (56 Credit Hours = 41 Elementary + 15 Special Education)
| Related Area Requirements | ||
| TCH ED 6565 | Enriching Learning through Multicultural Arts, Music, Physical Education and Health | 1 |
| TCH ED 6566 | Cross-Curricular Connections with Multicultural Arts, Music, Physical Education and Health | 1 |
| Level I Courses | ||
| ED PSY 6222 | Advanced Studies in Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| TCH ED 5310A | Instructional Design: Lesson Planning for Teachers | 1 |
| Level II Courses | ||
| ELE ED 6337 | Teaching and Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classrooms: Teaching Reading and Writing | 4 |
| ED PSY 6030 | Instruction, Learning and Assessment | 3 |
| ED TECH 6135 | Technology for Preparing Inquiry-Based Teaching | 1 |
| SPEC ED 6412 | Psychology of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6315 | Understnding/Implmnting Speech & Lang Interventions that Assist Chldrn w/ Sp Needs | 3 |
| ELE ED 6342 | Addressing the Mathematical Needs of Students | 3 |
| Level III Courses | ||
| SPEC ED 6325 | Advanced Studies in Classroom & Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6342 | Transition Education for Adult Life | 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 Learners | 3 |
| ELE ED 6338 | Literacy Assessment for Guided Instruction | 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 |
| SPEC ED 6346 | Reading Instruction and Intervention in Special Education | 3 |
| SPEC ED 6415 | The Law and Special Education | 3 |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Continually reflect on professional growth to improve student learning outcomes/enhance student learning.
- Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
- Apply content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
- Use learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
- Foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
- Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
- Use equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.