Curriculum & Instruction - Initial Teacher Education

Master of Arts in Teaching Certification Preparation

Please Note: While certification requirements can be met by undergraduate coursework, full completion of the MAT degree may be achieved only through the completion of graduate coursework. Students will need to substitute undergraduate work that meets certification requirements with other graduate level coursework in order to meet graduate degree requirements.

Background Check

Conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea involving a crime involving drugs, moral turpitude, or other criminal charges may prohibit licensure or employment as a professional educator.

Introduction

The Lindenwood University Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is approved and accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Students enrolled in programs within the College of Education and Human Services pursue degrees that may lead to professional roles in education, including but not limited to teacher certification, depending on the program of study and individual student goals.

Eligibility for recommendation for Missouri teacher certification requires completion of an approved educator preparation pathway, including all program requirements and required state assessments, as determined by the Educator Preparation Provider.

Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their Teacher Education advisor and the ARCC office to determine whether their selected degree program includes a certification pathway and to ensure completion of all applicable requirements

Admission

The teacher education program is divided into three stages, outlined below. Students will apply for the teacher education program while enrolled in EDU 51500 Teacher Education Seminar. The student will not be allowed to enroll in most upper-level or methods coursework until the student has been formally admitted at Stage One to the teacher education program. All application materials for admission to the teacher education program and admission to student teaching must be completed and submitted.

Stage One - Admission to Teacher Education

The student has been accepted to the graduate program at Lindenwood University indicating the student has completed a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (including all college/university coursework) and met university admission standards.
The student has completed nine hours of education coursework from the College of Education and Human Services.
The student has achieved content area coursework GPA of 3.0, and a professional education coursework GPA of 3.0, with a minimum grade of C in all professional education and content area coursework.
The student must have a Program Plan from their advisor.
All materials must be accepted before the student can be recommended for formal admittance into the Teacher Education Program. Formal Admittance into the program occurs when the teacher candidate is voted in by the Initial Teacher Education Committee (ITEC).

Stage Two - Admission to Student Teaching

Acceptance into benchmark/stage two is required for admittance into student teaching. All application for admission to the teacher education program and admission to student teaching must be completed and submitted in Foliotek. The following are the requirements for admission to Stage Two.

Candidate Information Sheet
Résumé Application
Philosophy of Education
Program Plan from advisor
TB Test Results
MoCA Results
1. The teacher candidate has obtained a passing score on the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA).
2. The Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) tests are required for all student teacher candidates. The test should be taken after most of the content courses for the desired program have been successfully completed and prior to student teaching. Candidates must also pass the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment in order to be recommended for certification. A passing score on the MoCA exam demonstrates that the teacher candidate has mastered the subject area that will be taught.
3. The correct MoCA exam is posted on the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessment (MEGA) website (www.mo nesinc.com). If a student is unsure of which test to take after reviewing the website, the student may contact the Advising, Retention and Certification Center at (636) 949-4377 for more assistance.
4. The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum content GPA of 3.0.
The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum professional education coursework GPA of 3.0.
Three letters of recommendation
Family care safety registry clear background check
Travel waiver
Confidentiality agreement
Substitute certificate
Professional liability insurance

Teaching applications must be completed and submitted by:

October 15 for Spring Semester

April 15 for Fall Semester

Stage Three - Completion of Teacher Education Program

The teacher candidate must earn a minimum professional education coursework GPA of 3.0.
The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum content GPA of 3.0.
The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
The teacher candidate must successfully complete the student teaching course, EDU 60599 including all seminar sessions and portfolio requirements as identified by Lindenwood University in support of the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) Evaluation Assessment.
Candidates are also required to complete the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) with a satisfactory score to be recommended for certification.

Certification

Each state establishes its own requirements for teacher certification. Students who complete an approved educator preparation pathway within the Lindenwood University College of Education and Human Services, including all required coursework, clinical experiences, and state‑mandated assessments, may be recommended for teacher certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Students seeking certification in states other than Missouri should consult the appropriate state department of education for specific requirements. Contact information for state certification offices is available on the College of Education and Human Services website. The Certification Officer with the College of Education and Human Services (ARCC@lindenwood.edu) can assist students who are exploring certification in other states.

International students or students who have completed high school outside of the United States are also required to complete coursework in the following areas:

English composition, two courses, each a minimum of three credit hours
U.S. history, three credit hours
U.S. (National) government, three credit hours

Regulatory Notice (Missouri DESE)

Teacher education and certification requirements are subject to change based on Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) directives. The College of Education and Human Services applies the certification requirements in effect at the time of program completion and recommendation for certification. Students are responsible for remaining informed through regular consultation with their Teacher Education advisor.

Programs Leading to Certification

Master of Arts in Teaching Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3)

Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)

Master of Arts in Teaching Middle School Education (Grades 5-9)

Students seeking certification at the middle school education (Grades 5-9) level must complete the requirements for certification in the desired content instructional area

Business emphasis
English/Language Arts emphasis
Mathematics emphasis
Science emphasis
Social Science emphasis

Notes: (1) Each of the programs above leads to certification upon the student’s successful completion of the appropriate certification exam(s) and successful application for certification, submitted to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MoDESE).

Secondary Education (Grades 9-12)

Students seeking certification at the secondary (Grades 9-12) level must complete the requirements for certification in the desired content instructional area in secondary education (Grades 9-12).

Biological Sciences emphasis
Business Education emphasis
Chemistry emphasis
English/Language Arts emphasis
Mathematics emphasis
Social Science emphasis

Education (Grades K-12)

Students seeking (Grades K-12) certification must complete the requirements for certification in the desired content instructional area in education (Grades K-12).

Art
Music-Instrumental
Music-Vocal
Physical Education
Special Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching is a 45-credit hour program. Coursework required may extend 45 credit hours due to content area coursework. Coursework in content may be completed at an undergraduate level. Note that for all certification areas, further coursework in the content area beyond that which was required for the bachelor’s degree may be required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in order to be eligible for certification.

MAT students may be eligible for an alternative certificate if they meet the following criteria:

Conferred undergraduate degree closely aligned with their intended content field of certification (middle school, 9-12, or K-12 only).
Passed the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment in no more than two attempts prior to or during their first semester in the MAT program.
Met all DESE GPA requirements 3.0 in content and 3.0 professional coursework.
Completed all education coursework required for the MAT degree.
Completed student teaching and all state required assessments.
Students interested in pursuing alternative certification need assistant dean or dean approval. Additional content coursework may be required.

A student entering the MAT program with a bachelor’s degree in the same content area of the content area certification pursued are able to complete the MAT program within 45 credit hours. Students who do not have the content coursework in the desired certification area would need to complete the required content coursework in addition to the 45-credit hour MAT program. Middle school certification preparation including content coursework is a 60-credit hour program. Elementary school certification preparation including all content is a 71-credit hour program. Early childhood certification preparation including all content is a 71-credit hour program, and early childhood special education certification preparation including all content is a 93-credit hour program. All areas include certification requirements.

The education courses required for certification, (not including specific content area specialty coursework that may be required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for a subject certification) are described in the respective certification programs.