Dec 04, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

College of Education


The College of Education
Lovinger 2190
660-543-4272
Fax 660-543-4167
ucmo.edu/ced

The College of Education is comprised of:

Click here  for descriptions of all classes taught at the undergraduate level. Course descriptions can also be found online in MyCentral.

Teacher Education

In addition to the College of Education, teacher education students may also be enrolled in programs through the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the College of Health, Science, and Technology.

The University of Central Missouri’s teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Conceptual Framework Information

The philosophical underpinnings of the UCM reflective practice model are described in the Conceptual Framework for Teacher Education.

Belief Statement
The Central educator is a competent, caring, reflective practitioner committed to the premise that all can learn.

Mission Statement
As a cornerstone of the institution since 1871, the University of Central Missouri’s Teacher Education Program develops teachers and other school professionals who are well grounded in theory, display competence in content knowledge and instructional strategies, and possess the dispositions to ensure success for all learners. The Teacher Education Program prepares individuals as professional educators for an ever-changing, culturally diverse population. Faculty and candidates provide support and service to schools in meeting their present and future challenges by developing communities that learn through research and scholarly activities. Educator preparation is a campus-wide responsibility, a commitment that reflects the honor and worth of serving a vital profession.

Policies and Procedures

The teacher certification programs offered by UCM meet certification requirements set by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Initial teacher certification may be earned at UCM in part by completing the Bachelor of Science in Education degree, the Bachelor of Music Education degree, or in certain instances the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. The degree earned does not automatically lead to certification. Students may apply for certification upon completion of degrees that are designated as meeting Missouri certification guidelines.

The State of Missouri and UCM stipulate the following requirements for students seeking initial teacher certification:

  1. All students enrolled in a teacher education program at the University of Central Missouri are required to have cleared a DESE- sanctioned background check prior to observing or participating in PK-12 classrooms. 
  2. The following courses must be completed with a grade of C or better:
    • EDFL 2100  -Introduction to the Teaching Profession
    • FLDX 2150  -Introductory Field Experience
    • EDFL 2240  -Educational Psychology
    • EDSP 2100  -Education of the Exceptional Child
  3. All undergraduate students must be admitted to teacher education at least one full semester prior to the desired student teaching semester.
  4. A Professional Education GPA of 3.0, and a content area GPA of 3.0. 
  5. For admission to teacher education and permission to student teach, students must earn a positive dispositional assessment (no zeros on any indicator) and meet with their program faculty representative to discuss those results.
  6. The appropriate Missouri content assessment for the candidate’s certification area must be attempted prior to student teaching and must be successfully completed to earn initial certification.
  7. Programs may add additional requirements for admission to teacher education.

DESE requirements for certification, including state-wide required assessments are under development and may change. Requirements for graduation and certification may change in order to meet DESE requirements for certification. Updates will be available through your success advisor, faculty advisor, and the Office of Clinical Services and Certification.

Upon initial teacher certification completion, UCM offers an added certification (additional coursework required) in Driver’s Education (9-12), Elementary Mathematics Specialist (Grades 1-6), English Language Learner (K-12), and Special Reading (K-12).

Majors/Programs

    MajorsCertificates

    Courses

      Business Teacher EducationCareer and Technology EducationFamily Consumer Sciences Education