Missouri teaching certificate requirements are typical of other states. If you want to be a teacher in Missouri you need the following:
Missouri has a two-tiered level of traditional teaching certificates. They are as follows:
These Missouri teaching certificate requirements, and alternate paths to certification will be detailed in the sections below.
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Missouri teaching certificate requirements include completing an approved teacher preparation program. There are 43 regionally accredited colleges and universities in Missouri that have Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). A complete list of colleges and universities that offer EPPs can be found at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The DESE rates the effectiveness of each EPP each year, based on Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators (MoSPE). The results are released in the Annual Performance Report for Educator Preparation Programs (APR-EPP). This is a valuable resource when you are determining which EPP would best fit your needs. Several colleges in Missouri also appeared on the Princeton Review's Great Schools for Education Majors 2020. They are listed right below.
Another thing to consider when choosing an EPP, is how it is accredited. One of the most highly regarded accreditation rating is given by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The DESE provides a list of the 22 colleges and universities that have been accredited by CAEP.
When you are enrolled in an educator preparation program, what you can expect is detailed in the section below.
As mentioned above, Missouri teaching certificate requirements include completion of an EPP. When you are enrolled in an educator preparation program, you can expect the following:
Take an assessment and focus on the areas that need the most practice.
Another one of the Missouri teaching certificate requirements is a passing score on two state mandated exams. The DESE collaborated with Pearson Vue to develop the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA). There are two exams under the umbrella of MEGA that you must pass if you want to be a teacher in Missouri. The Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) measures basic skills and must be taken before you can enroll in an educator preparation program. You must pass the Missouri Content Assessments (MoCA) in your endorsement area before you will be granted an initial certification.There is also a survey under the MEGA program. The Missouri Educator Profile (MEP) is a survey that you take as a teacher candidate. It compiles an inventory of work style preferences and habits. This information is used by the EPPs in the state to enhance the development of their teachers.
The MoGEA measures basic skills and must be taken if you are entering a teacher preparation program. It is computer based and taken either at a test center, or at your home through online proctoring. The MoGEA contains four subtests in five areas. Passing scores are determined by each EPP and each subtest must be passed. See the chart below for more details on the subtests.
| Subtests | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension and Interpretation | 39 multiple choice | 75 minutes |
| Mathematics | 40 multiple choice | 75 minutes |
| Science and Social Studies | 40 multiple choice | 60 minutes |
| Writing | essay | 60 minutes |
The total time allowed for the test is four and a half hours. If you choose to take all the subtests in one day, the fee is $59. If you take the subtests separately, the fee for each one is $25.
Missouri teaching certificate requirements include passing a subject specific exam that correlates with your desired endorsement. For example, if you want to teach social studies at a middle school level, you will take the MoCA for social studies. If your desired endorsement area is early childhood development, you will take the MoCA for that. There are 100 multiple choice questions on the content assessments. You have two hours to complete the test, and fifteen minutes for a computer-based testing tutorial before you start the exam. You can take the exam at a testing center and there are testing locations throughout Missouri. Breaks are allowed, but count towards your total time. If you choose to take the test at home through online proctoring, no breaks are allowed. You must receive a passing score of at least 220 to be granted certification.
Missouri teaching certificate requirements used to include passing Praxis Subject Assessments, but the state decided to develop a new system based on more rigorous standards. So DESE partnered with Pearson Vue Evaluation Systems to replace it with the MEGA assessments MoGEA and MoCA. However, the Praxis Subject Assessment is still required for school psychologists working in K-12 schools.
Missouri teaching certificate requirements include a criminal background check and fingerprinting. Background checks are done by the Missouri Highway Patrol (MSHP), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This is the process you should follow:
Fingerprint and background check results will be posted on the DESE website under your personal profile, and given to the school district you will be working for.
Once you have met all the Missouri teaching certificate requirements, you must apply for certification from DESE.
Missouri teaching certificate requirements can be met through several non-traditional routes.
If you already have a bachelor's degree in an endorsement area and decide you would like to teach you can enroll in a college of education. Under a provisional two-year license, you can simultaneously teach and take courses. You need 30 credits in educational courses. You must also pass state mandated tests. When that is complete, you will be recommended by your program for certification, and you will receive an Initial Professional certification. You can do only the certification program, or pair it with a master's degree.
You can earn a Missouri alternative teaching certification using a temporary authorization license. You need to have a bachelor's degree in an endorsement area and take 24 credits at an approved institution that meet certain educational competencies. While you are taking these courses, you can teach under a temporary authorization license while being mentored at your school of employment. This is a one-year, renewable license that can be renewed as long as you take 9 credits per year towards the required 24 credits. You also have to pass two exit exams. When you complete all requirements, it will result in an Initial Professional certification.
If you have a bachelor's degree, and decide you want to teach, one route you can take is through the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE). To earn an initial license in Missouri you must complete a program of study from ABCTE, as well as pass an ABCTE exam. This route to certification is only for middle school and high school subject endorsements. Subject areas offered are:
This route to certification will result in an initial certification.
If you have a PhD in a secondary endorsement area you would be eligible for initial certification in Missouri. To obtain certification, you must pass the Professional Knowledge: Secondary assessment.
You must have a Missouri substitute teaching certificate to be a K-12 substitute. Take the following steps to obtain a certificate.
If you do not have a college or university degree, you can complete the following in lieu of transcripts.
Another route to a license in Missouri is through Missouri teacher certification requirements reciprocity. If you have been teaching under a valid teacher certification in another state, you are eligible for a Missouri teaching certificate of the same level. For instance, if you have been teaching in another state for five years, that would make you eligible for a Career Continuous Professional Certificate. Follow these steps to apply for certification in Missouri.
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Missouri lags behind many states in terms of teacher salary. It ranks 45th in the nation. However, the teacher to student ratio is low, and the job growth projections are high.
There are 6,048 public and private schools in Missouri. The breakdown of the numbers is shown below.
The teacher to student ratio is 1:14. Average salaries and job growth outlook for teachers can be seen in the table below.
| Grade Level | Salary | Job Growth Outlook 2018 - 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | $51,630 | 9.7% |
| Elementary | $49,860 | 9.8% |
| Middle School | $55,070 | 9.8% |
| Secondary | $54,280 | 9.8% |
| Kindergarten & Elementary Special Education |
$54,190 | 9.7% |
| Middle School Special Education |
$51,340 | 9.8% |
| Secondary Special Education |
$48,840 | 9.8% |
Missouri no longer uses the Praxis test as a requirement for teacher certification. It is only used for school psychologists seeking licensure.
The Praxis was replaced by MEGA. Teachers need to take the MoGEA, which measures foundational skills, and the MoCA, which is subject specific.
To become a teacher in Missouri you need to have at least a bachelor's degree, pass several state mandated assessments, and pass a criminal background check.
To obtain a substitute teaching certificate you need to submit an application to the Department of Education. Requirements include:
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If you hold a valid out-of-state license that is comparable to Missouri certification, you are eligible for certification in Missouri.
Yes, if you already have a bachelor's degree in an endorsement area and decide you would like to teach you can enroll in a college of education. Under a provisional two-year license, you can simultaneously teach and take courses.
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