Explore Our Programs

Everywhere you look, there are educators. You find them in our schools, but also in museums, zoos, non-profit youth serving organizations, businesses, government agencies, national education organizations, and foundations—the list goes on and on. The University of Missouri St. Louis’ College of Education prepares educators for all of these sectors through its many degree programs.

At UMSL, students become part of our innovative and research-based preparation program in which you, as a student of education, join professionals on the cutting edge to experience the community in authentic and viable ways. Engaging the community means that you become involved in the places where the best work is happening. We partner strategically and systemically with agencies, schools, businesses and institutions to take advantage of existing human and social capital.

Community experiences are central to each and every program so that educator candidates have opportunities to meet, work with, and learn from other educators and non-educators across community sectors. You become an explorer, engaging the community, its people, institutions and organizations – learning the many avenues and resources available to professional educators. In this way, we stop the isolation of educators that impedes their own growth, and prevents others from seeing educators as the professionals that they are.

Our programs prepare students to develop as “community educators” instead of “school teachers”; community leaders instead of “principals”; and regard “educator development” with the belief that becoming a professional educator is an art and life-long process.