Become a Teacher
Become a Teacher
Learn more about becoming a teacher online at Teach.org or through the steps below. You can also contact our partner schools directly to learn more about their programs!
Partner Schools and Contact information
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Phone: 573-884-1850
Email: mper@missouri.edu -
Dr. Jerry Raines
Email: Jerry.Raines@mobap.edu
Phone: 636-366-4363
Dr. Melanie Bishop
Email: Melanie.Bishop@mobap.edu
Phone: 314-392-2323
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Candidates Seeking Educator Certification or Additional Certification
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DESE will require any previously certified teacher who wants to add an additional certification to their certificate to take and pass a Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) for the intended subject area.
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Registration & Preparation Materials can be found online at Missouri Educators Assessments.
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For information on which tests to take, please check requirements online here.
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Candidates seeking entry into a Missouri educator preparation program must pass the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA). This assessment is composed of five subtests:
- English Language Arts
- Science
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
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Candidates in Missouri’s educator preparation programs are required to complete the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP). The MEP is an assessment of work style preferences used to support the development of effective educator work habits. It is not being used for admission into a program. There are no right or wrong answers, so it is important to answer the questions honestly. Your results are presented in a Development Report so that you can better understand how your current work habits compare to those of effective educators and what you can do to develop your work habits further. You are encouraged to review the results with your university and to create a plan for your professional development.
Non-Traditional Paths to Teaching
Types of Teacher Certificates
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Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a content area or passing score on designated Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA)
- Minimum 3.00 GPA in content area or passing score on designated MoCA
- Enrollment in a state-approved alternative certification program through a Missouri Educator Prep Program or within 12-15 hours of completing a traditional program.
- Contracted as a teacher with a Missouri school district in the same subject area/grade level.
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Requirements:
- One-year, renewable certificate
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a content area
- Content area GPA of 3.00
- Contracted as a teacher with a Missouri school district in the same subject area/grade level
- At least 9 hours a year from Plan of Study
Cannot teach in the following areas:
- Elementary (1-6)
- Early childhood (B-3)
- Early childhood special education (B-3)
- Blind and partially sighted (K-12) and/or deaf and hearing impaired (K-12)
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- Baccalaureate degree from a college or university with an approved education program.
- Recommended for certification from college or university
- Pass score on the appropriate assessment
6 Ways to Complete your Teacher Training
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An Undergraduate certificate and bachelor's program may be a good fit if:
- You know what subject and grade level you want to teach.
- YOu are in your first or second year of college
With an undergraduate program, you can:
- Complete your teaching program as part of earning your bachelor’s degree
- Reduce the total cost and time you spend working towards your certificate. \
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This type of program may be a good fit if:
- You decide later in college or after earning a degree that you want to teach.
- You majored in something different than the subject you want to teach.
In a post-graduate program, you can:
- Explore full-time and part-time program options.
- Choose an in-person, virtual, or hybrid program.
- Choose between master’s degree programs, certificate-only programs, or plan of study.
- Start teaching with a higher salary if you earn a master’s degree.
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Find more information on the DESE Website, click here
Alternative route programs may be a good fit if:
- You already have a degree
- You have some experience working with students and know you want to teach.
- You want to teach in a secondary or K-12 subject area.
In an alternative certification program, you can:
- Start teaching (and earning a salary) while you finish your teaching program.
- Gain on-the-job experience.
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- Limited to Secondary Certifications
- Mush hold a doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a secondary certification content area (such as mathematics or biology)
- Must pass the Professional Knowledge: Secondary Assessment
- Must apply and submit all transcripts
- You will be eligible for an Initial Certificate but can not upgrade to a Career Certificate.
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- American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) is a national organization which offers a teacher training program. Find information about the ABCTE on DESE's website .
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree and ANY field with 2.75 GPA
- Pass ABCTE Professional Teaching Knowledge and Subject Matter Exams
- Earn the ABCTE Certificate
- Upon issuance of the ABCTE certificate, and required contact hours as a substitute or paraprofessional (60 contact hourse/90 hours for elementary education), an individual may apply for a Missouri initial professional teaching certificate (IPC)
DESE Accepts Certificates in:
- Elementary Education
- English/ Language Arts
- Math
- U.S./World History
- Biology
- Chemistry
- General Science
- Physics
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The residency model may be a good fit if:
- You already have a degree in the subject you want to teach.
- You don’t have much experience with students and would benefit from more mentorship when you begin.
In the residency program, you can:
- Get hands-on practice while you learn teaching strategies.
- Work alongside a mentor teacher while you take master’s degree coursework.
- Get focused support working at high-needs school.
- Earn a stipend during your first year.
Additional Steps Generally Required for Certification
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- Pass required Exam(s)
- Submit applications, fee and transcripts to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
- Complete fingerprinting for criminal background check
Important Resources
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DESE
Routes to Certification
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Department of Higher Education and Workforce Developent
Grants and Scholarship
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DESE
Tate Aide Program information