Missouri Teacher Certification
How to Become a Teacher in Missouri
There are several requirements that an individual must complete in order to earn an initial Missouri teacher certification. First, educational requirements which includes student teaching must be met. An exit exam must then be passed, and the certificate is issued after a bachelor’s degree in education is completed. An initial certificate is valid for four years, and two years of mentoring, yearly evaluation, one year of beginning teacher assistance, a professional development plan, and 30 contact hours of professional development during those four years are necessary to apply for a career continuous certification.
- I want to be a teacher in Missouri, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about Missouri’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
Spotlight School
Popular Programs:
- MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
- MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)
Missouri Teacher Education Requirements
Candidates for becoming a teacher in Missouri complete a four-year education program at a higher education institution. Teacher education programs must be approved by the Missouri State Board of Education. Some institutions also offer graduate programs for advanced certification or programs for non-traditional candidates to receive alternative certification.
Profiles of Well Known Schools
Southeast Missouri State: Each year the mission of Southeast Missouri State College of Education stays the same, because it is the foundation for the program’s success. The mission states that it prepares and sustains remarkable leaders in teaching, counseling and educational leadership. Departments within the program are categorized by discipline and focus, including educational leadership, elementary and early special education, and middle or secondary education. Secondary education may focus on a variety of disciplines, from art to physics, but the overall goal of the program is the same as that of elementary school education, to succeed as an educational leader. The school confers degrees at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels and caters to students of all backgrounds, demographics and work experience. Continued education for working professionals is available to obtain specific credentials in the field.
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics listed Missouri’s unemployment rate at 7.6%, slightly below the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply and Demand System projected 4,513 annual job openings in education and library fields in Missouri through 2018. In 2008 and 2007 respectively, the National Center of Education Statistics reported 68,015 public school and 9,720 private school teachers employed throughout the state. The average beginning teaching salary $29,309 and the average overall teaching salary is $45,321, the 5th lowest among US states according to the National Education Association. The NEA reports statewide teacher shortages particularly in special education, ESL, math, science, vocal music, speech and theater. For more information please visit the Missouri – National Education Association or contact local education and teaching schools for more information regarding education policy and state certification requirements.
Missouri Teacher Testing Requirements
Missouri’s 1985 Excellence in Education Act established teacher testing requirements in the state, and the Missouri State Board of Education has chosen two assessments as requirements for a Missouri teaching license. Before being admitted into a professional education program, individuals must take the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination (CBASE). Prior to certification, candidates must also complete the Praxis II assessment in their content or specialty areas.
Missouri Teacher Salary and Jobs
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 7,650 | $25,550 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 2,990 | $45,490 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 25,910 | $44,910 |
| Middle School Teachers | 14,470 | $49,540 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 21,600 | $44,610 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
Missouri Teacher Interview
Interview with Sarah Moellering, Missouri Second Grade Teacher
School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Missouri
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools
Popular Programs:
- MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Secondary Lic.
- BS in Education / Elementary Teacher Education
- MA in Education/Teacher Ed. for Elementary Lic.
Popular Programs:
- Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
- Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
- Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in Missouri
Question: How can I become a substitute teacher in Missouri?
Answer: To become a substitute teacher in Missouri, you must obtain a 180-day certificate through the state. This certificate is renewable. To get the certificate, you need to have taken at least 60 college credits and have passed a criminal background check.
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Missouri
Avila University
11901 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64145-1698
(816) 942-8400
Baptist Bible College and Graduate School
628 E Kearney
Springfield, MO 65803-3498
(417) 268-6060
Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary
15800 Calvary Road
Kansas City, MO 64147-1341
(816) 322-0110
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
411 Central Methodist Square
Fayette, MO 65248-1198
(660) 248-3391
www.centralmethodist.edu/cmadmit/index.asp
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO 65726-0017
(417) 334-6411
www.cofo.edu/admissprocess.asp?page=2
Cosmetology Concepts Institute
1611 Burlington Street Suite A
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 449-7527
Crowder College
601 Laclede Ave
Neosho, MO 64850
(417) 451-3223
Culver-Stockton College
1 College Hill
Canton, MO 63435-1299
(573) 288-6000
culver.edu/enrollment/
Drury University
900 N.Benton
Springfield, MO 65802-3791
(417) 873-7879
www.drury.edu/section/section.cfm?sid=28
East Central College
1964 Prairie Dell Rd
Union, MO 63084
(636) 583-5193
www.eastcentral.edu/stuserv/admissions/
Evangel University
1111 N Glenstone
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 865-2811
Fontbonne University
6800 Wydown Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63105-3098
(314) 862-3456
www.fontbonne.edu/admissions/
Hannibal-Lagrange College
2800 Palmyra Rd
Hannibal, MO 63401-1999
(573) 221-3675
www.hlg.edu
Independence College of Cosmetology
815 W 23rd St
Independence, MO 64055
(816) 252-4247
Jefferson College
1000 Viking Dr
Hillsboro, MO 63050-2440
(636) 797-3000
Lincoln University-Jefferson City
820 Chestnut
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029
(573) 681-5000
www.lincolnu.edu/pages/186.asp
Lindenwood University
209 S Kingshighway
Saint Charles, MO 63301-1695
(636) 949-2000
www.lindenwood.edu/admissions/ug_ad.asp
Maryville University of Saint Louis
650 Maryville University Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63141-7299
(800) 627-9855
www.maryville.edu/admissions/default.asp
Mineral Area College
5270 Flat River Road
Park Hills, MO 63601-1000
(573) 431-4593
www.mineralarea.edu/students/admissionInformation/
Missouri Baptist University
One College Park Dr
Saint Louis, MO 63141-8698
(877) 434-1115
www.mobap.edu/admissions/
Missouri Southern State University
3950 E Newman Rd
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(417) 625-9300
Missouri State University
901 S National
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5000
Missouri University of Science and Technology
1870 Miner Circle
Rolla, MO 65409
573-341-4111
800-522-0938
www.futurestudents.mst.edu/degrees/undergraduate/teach.html
Missouri Valley College
500 E College St
Marshall, MO 65340
(660) 831-4000
www.moval.edu/admissions/index.asp
Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr
Saint Joseph, MO 64507
(816) 271-4200
Moberly Area Community College
101 College Ave
Moberly, MO 65270-1304
(660) 263-4110
www.macc.edu/~stuserv/index.shtml
National Academy of Beauty Arts-Farmington
670 Walton Drive
Farmington, MO 63640
(573) 756-2730
North Central Missouri College
1301 Main St
Trenton, MO 64683
(660) 359-3948
www.ncmissouri.edu/admissions/default.aspx
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
(660) 562-1212
www.nwmissouri.edu/admissions/index.htm
Park University
8700 NW River Park Dr
Parkville, MO 64152-3795
(816) 741-2000
Saint Louis University-Main Campus
221 N Grand Blvd
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
(314) 977-2222
www.slu.edu/x5683.xml
Southeast Missouri State University
One University Plaza
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701-9980
(573) 651-2000
www.semo.edu/admissions/
Southwest Baptist University
1600 University Ave
Bolivar, MO 65613-2596
(800) 526-5859
www.sbuniv.edu/prospectivestudents/index.htm
Three Rivers Community College-Poplar Bluff
2080 Three Rivers Blvd
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
(573) 840-9600
Truman State University
100 E Normal
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
(660) 785-4000
admissions.truman.edu
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4111
www.ucmo.edu/x198.xml
University of Missouri-Columbia
105 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-2121
admissions.missouri.edu/
University of Missouri-Kansas City
5100 Rockhill Rd
Kansas City, MO 64110
(816) 235-1000
www.umkc.edu/admissions/
University of Missouri-St Louis
One University Boulevard
Saint Louis, MO 63121-4400
(314) 516-5000
www.umsl.edu/admission/
Washington University in St Louis
One Brookings Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63130-4899
(314) 935-5000
www.wustl.edu/admissions.html
Webster University
470 E Lockwood Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63119-3194
(314) 961-2660
explore.webster.edu/admissions/
William Jewell College
500 College Hill
Liberty, MO 64068-1896
(816) 781-7700
www.jewell.edu/admission/
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
