Experience For Credit: Missouri Universities And Student Teaching

In Missouri, student teaching is a requirement for all teacher certification areas. While most students will complete traditional student teaching, some may qualify for credit through alternative methods. Missouri S&T, for example, offers credit-by-examination, allowing students to earn credits toward degree requirements and access advanced courses earlier. Additionally, Missouri recognizes several routes to teacher certification, including traditional, alternative, temporary authorization, and out-of-state certified routes, each with specific requirements.

Student teaching requirements for teacher certification

To become a certified teacher in Missouri, you must complete a bachelor's degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component, which includes a student teaching placement. This student teaching placement is a requirement for all areas of teacher certification in Missouri and is built into all undergraduate and postbaccalaureate teacher certification programs.

The traditional route to teacher certification in Missouri involves completing a four-year, college-recommended course of study, which includes student teaching, passing the designated assessment test, and graduating with a bachelor's degree in a field of education. This route will lead to an initial teaching certificate.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has outlined the following requirements for student teaching placements:

• A limited early-level field experience of at least 30 clock hours.
• A mid-level field experience of at least 45 clock hours.
• A culminating field experience (student teaching) of at least 480 clock hours or 12 weeks of continuous experience.

The early-level and mid-level field experiences must include a minimum of 30 clock hours of field observation and limited experiences with students in PK-12 settings that reflect diverse learning environments and student populations. The culminating field experience will be full immersion in a classroom setting with feedback from a cooperating teacher and/or supervisor.

To meet the requirements for state certification, the student teaching placement should be at the grade level and in the subject area that the prospective teacher intends to teach. Some programs may offer longer student teaching placements or the opportunity to pursue multiple placements.

In addition to the traditional route, Missouri offers alternative routes to teacher certification for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree. These alternative routes may allow individuals to take courses and teach simultaneously. One such option is the Student Teaching as Teacher of Record, where a student can begin teaching on a Provisional Teaching Certificate and complete student teaching in the same semester. This option requires additional supervision by the School District and is not always approved.

Credit-by-examination options

Missouri S&T offers several credit-by-examination options for students seeking to gain credit for prior learning and accelerate their academic careers. Here are the specific programs and their requirements:

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board, the AP program offers college-level courses and advanced placement exams for high-achieving high school students. Missouri S&T recognizes a range of AP exams for credit, including those in subjects such as calculus, chemistry, computer science, literature, history, and foreign languages. Students must achieve a minimum score, as specified by Missouri S&T, to earn credit for these exams. It is important to note that AP credit is only awarded to high school students, and students with 90 or more semester hours of acceptable credit are not eligible for AP exams.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The CLEP is designed for students who have gained knowledge outside the traditional classroom setting. Missouri S&T utilizes CLEP subject examinations to award credit for specific coursework when the exam content aligns with the offered courses. CLEP examinations are administered at various centers across the United States, including Missouri S&T. A minimum score of 57 is required to receive credit for a CLEP exam. Additionally, students must present a photo ID and two checks at the time of the exam—one for the exam fee and the other for the proctor fee.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Missouri S&T recognizes the International Baccalaureate Diploma for admission and grants course credit and advanced placement to students who have successfully passed higher-level subject examinations. However, the university does not grant credit for standard-level examinations. Students must achieve a minimum score, as specified by Missouri S&T, to earn credit for IB exams.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

PLTW offers undergraduate credit options for high school students in engineering, biological sciences, and information science and technology. Additionally, teachers can earn graduate credit by completing PLTW core training.

Credit by Departmental Examination

Missouri University-Kansas City (UMKC) offers credit by departmental examination for students with previous knowledge or proficiency in a particular area of study. Students must arrange to take a departmentally administered examination, which typically measures the same level of proficiency required to earn credit for enrollment in the course. The grade earned in this examination becomes the final grade posted to the student's official record and contributes to their UM System GPA. To initiate this process, students must register through the Office of the Registrar and obtain a Credit by Departmental Examination form.

Transferring credits to Missouri universities

Transferring credits to universities in Missouri involves specific requirements and processes. Here is a guide to help you understand the credit transfer system in Missouri universities:

University of Missouri (Mizzou)

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, accepts credit transfers from various institutions. They offer a transfer course equivalency site that allows you to check if your credits will transfer to Mizzou. This site covers most colleges and universities in Missouri and select out-of-state institutions. If your school is not listed, you can use Transferology to explore how your courses might apply toward a degree at Mizzou.

Once you are admitted to Mizzou, an admissions evaluator will review your transcripts to determine which credits will transfer. If you are transferring from outside Missouri, a faculty member may also need to review your transcript, which can lengthen the process.

In general, credit earned at an accepted accredited college will transfer to Mizzou if the coursework is geared toward a baccalaureate degree. Some programs may require grades of C or higher to satisfy certain degree requirements.

The following types of credit will not transfer to Mizzou:

• Technical, vocational, or remedial courses (unless specifically listed in a current articulation agreement)
• Courses not intended for a baccalaureate degree
• Courses intended for a terminal vocational degree or certificate program
• Courses from a non-accepted accredited institution
• Advanced standing credit in a foreign language

Missouri S&T

Missouri S&T, a member of the University of Missouri System, recognizes various methods for transferring credits. They offer credit by examination, accepting programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), College-level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW).

Missouri S&T also accepts credit transfers from specific courses and institutions. You can refer to their website for detailed information on accepted courses and institutions.

Missouri State University

Missouri State University offers options for students to receive credit for student teaching. The traditional student teaching option consists of 10-12 credit hours of regular student teaching, which most undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students will take.

Another option is "Student Teaching as Teacher of Record," where students can begin teaching on a Provisional Teaching Certificate while simultaneously completing their student teaching in one semester. This option requires additional supervision by the School District and is not always approved.

Out-of-state teacher certification in Missouri

To obtain an out-of-state teacher certification in Missouri, you must submit a NON-MISSOURI GRADUATE APPLICATION. This requires creating an account in the Educator Certification System and paying a processing fee of $100. If you have a valid professional certificate in another state, you are not required to submit an institutional recommendation. However, if you do not hold a valid out-of-state license, your application will be evaluated based on current Missouri requirements.

You must provide original transcripts from all institutions attended, ensuring that your complete social security number or educator ID is listed. Additionally, if you hold a valid teaching certificate or license in another state, you must include a photocopy of the certificate with your application.

To verify your teaching experience, you have two options. You can either submit a completed Verification of Teaching Experience form or request that your school district submit an official letter to the Department, verifying your years of experience. This letter should include the subject areas and grade levels taught, as well as the dates of employment. It is important to note that substitute teaching, student teaching, college-level teaching, or serving as a teacher's aide or assistant does not qualify as acceptable teaching experience.

A criminal background check is also required and will be conducted by the Highway Patrol.

• Submit a NON-MISSOURI GRADUATE APPLICATION online and pay the processing fee.
• If you do not have a valid out-of-state license, forward the application form to the certification officer at the institution where you completed your teacher education program.
• Provide original transcripts from all institutions attended, ensuring your complete social security number or educator ID is listed.
• Include a photocopy of your valid out-of-state teaching certificate or license, if applicable.
• Verify your teaching experience through a completed form or an official letter from your school district.
• Complete a criminal background check.

By following these steps and providing the necessary documentation, you can obtain an out-of-state teacher certification in Missouri.

Student teaching options

Student teaching is a mandatory requirement for all teacher certification areas in Missouri. As such, student teaching is incorporated into all undergraduate and postbaccalaureate teacher certification programs. While most students will complete traditional student teaching, some may qualify for credit through alternative methods.

Traditional Student Teaching

This option consists of 10-12 credit hours of regular student teaching and is the most common route for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Student Teaching as Teacher of Record

This option allows students to simultaneously begin teaching on a Provisional Teaching Certificate and complete student teaching in a single semester. It requires additional supervision by the School District and is not always approved.

Credit by Examination

Missouri S&T offers credit-by-examination programs, which allow students to earn credits toward degree requirements and access advanced courses earlier in their college careers. These programs are designed for students who have gained knowledge outside the traditional classroom setting.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board, this program offers college-level courses and advanced placement exams to top students at participating high schools. Missouri S&T recognizes AP credits for specific exams and equivalent courses.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Subject examinations in the CLEP are used to award credit for specific coursework when the content overlaps with courses offered by Missouri S&T. A minimum score of 57 is required to receive credit for a CLEP exam.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Program

Missouri S&T grants course credit and advanced placement to students who have passed higher-level subject examinations in the IB program with satisfactory scores. Standard-level examinations are not accepted for credit.

Military Science Credit

Missouri S&T offers advanced placement in military science for honorably discharged veterans of active military service, high school graduates with at least three years of Junior ROTC, graduates of specific summer leadership camps, and members of reserve components with basic and advanced training. College credit is also awarded for military experience, as outlined in "A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services."

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