How to Apply
Important: The button below will take you to University Admissions. Use the following advice to correctly identify your interest in this program.
For select your degree in the Area of Interest section:
Thank you for choosing UMSL!
Create Learning Experiences that Matter
Campus-based program with field and practicum experiences in elementary school special education settings culminating in Missouri teacher certification
The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, TESOL, and Special Education (ECETS) provides preservice and practicing educators, and related services professionals, the preparation and embedded practical experiences that feature contemporary and evidence-based best practices. The hallmark of the pedagogical instruction and pragmatics is our focus on engaged, experiential learning that introduces and supports premiere instructional opportunities that orient and improve our students' development of sound learning communities, supporting classrooms of students of diverse populations and abilities. The faculty pride themselves in offering a variety of course content platforms, opportunities for student research, and community collaborations and partnerships.
Through the integration of content in general, special, and second language learning, candidates may earn certifications and endorsements with valued skills that make them highly qualified and marketable. Nationally-recognized research faculty teach undergraduate and graduate courses that prepare future educators in instruction and assessment, with a strong foundation in working with diverse, urban populations.
Educator candidates actively engage in unique practicum experiences in the Studio School Model for clinical practice. As Missouri's leader, the College partners with 36 different public, private, and charter schools. As a College, we take great pride in preparing "community educators" who are well-experienced to impact all students in a wide variety of settings, and with a much broader understanding of education's role in society. Our candidates make a collective impact as faculty members in the differentiated staffing model. Sought after by partner districts and agencies, many of our graduates are hired directly into the studio schools or districts where they complete their clinical preparation.
Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
To review this program’s national accreditation, please follow this link to review our AAQEP accreditation report.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC SARA)
To determine if this program meets the reciprocity requirements for like state educational certification programs outside the state of Missouri, follow this link for further contact information and resources.
The Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education degree prepares students to teach in elementary or middle school settings. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in one of the following emphasis areas: Special Education; Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Special Education and TESOL; or Middle School.
University General Education and Graduation Requirements
B.S.Ed. degree candidates must complete the following General Education Requirements and Graduation Requirements of the University as outlined in this Bulletin.
The courses listed below fulfill these requirements and best prepare students for advanced education coursework and licensure exams.
| First Year Writing | ||
| ENGL 1100 | First-Year Writing (MOTR ENGL 200) | 3 |
| or HIST 1111 | Reacting to the Past | |
| Math Proficiency | ||
| MATH 1020 | Contemporary Mathematics (MOTR MATH 120) | 3 |
| or MATH 1030 | College Algebra (MOTR MATH 130) | |
| Communication Proficiency | ||
| EDUC 2222 | Interpretation: Connecting Audiences and Meaning | 3 |
| or COMM 1040 | Introduction to Public Speaking (MOTR COMM 110) | |
| Information Literacy | ||
| ED TECH 2230 | Information Literacy | 3 |
| American History and Government | ||
| POL SCI 1100 | Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 |
| or HIST 1001 | American Civilization to 1865 (MOTR HIST 101) | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. | 9 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. At least one course must meet the cultural diversity requirement. | 9 | |
| Math and Life/Natural Sciences | ||
| Choose any 9 hours from at least two approved fields. | 9 | |
| Junior-Level Writing | ||
| ENGL 3100 | Junior-Level Writing | 3 |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
Program Requirements
All students in the B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education program are required to take the following Teacher Education courses, as well as the required courses for the selected emphasis area. Each student must also complete all required courses and certification assessments as specified by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Grade Requirement
Professional Education courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (a grade of C- or below must be retaken).
GPA Requirement
Beginning with those students graduating in May 2017 who will also receive teaching certification, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires a 3.0 GPA in professional education courses, a 3.0 GPA in the teaching content field, and a 2.75 overall GPA.
Assessment Requirement
Students must pass the required DESE certification assessments to receive the B.S.Ed. degree.
Preparing for the Teacher Education Program
The following courses must be completed prior to applying for admission to the teacher education program:
| TCH ED 1000 | Building Community, Culture, and Learning in Education | 1 |
| TCH ED 1001 | Early Clinical Experience: Community Agency | 1 |
| TCH ED 2000 | Becoming a Professional Educator | 1 |
| TCH ED 2001 | Early Clinical Experience: Schools | 1 |
| TCH ED 2209 | Foundations of Teaching in American Schools | 2 |
| ED PSY 2212 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Teacher Education Program
The following courses are completed after acceptance into the teacher education program:
| TCH ED 3001 | Mid-Level Clinical Experience: Diverse Learners | 1 |
| TCH ED 3212 | Sociolinguistics and Communication in the Classroom | 3 |
| ED PSY 3312 | Psychology of Learning, Instruction, and Assessment | 3 |
| SPEC ED 3318 | Inclusive Classrooms | 3 |
| SPEC ED 4323 | Classroom Management and Positive Behavioral Supports in Inclusive Educational Settings | 3 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
In addition to the above courses, students must select at least one emphasis area and complete all required coursework for the emphasis area.
The program will culminate in the completion of two sequential site-based practicum experience courses.
Emphasis Area Requirements
This emphasis area in elementary education prepares students for teaching in inclusive classrooms and for teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
All candidates must complete the Beginning Teacher Education Program and Teacher Education Program course work above in the College of Education.
Elementary education majors must also complete the following Teacher Education Program courses:
| ART ED 2179 | Visual Art Activities for Elementary School | 3 |
| MUS ED 2770 | An Introduction to Music for the Elementary School Teacher | 3 |
| HLTH PE 3432 | Teaching Health and Physical Education in Elementary Schools | 3 |
| ELE ED 3338 | Teaching Elementary Literacy in Inclusive Settings: Literacy Assessment and Learning | 3 |
| ELE ED 3339 | Teaching Elementary Literacy in Inclusive Settings: Literacy Instruction and Learning | 4 |
| ELE ED 4253 | Teaching Elementary Social Studies in Inclusive Settings | 3 |
| ELE ED 4341 | Teaching Science in Inclusive Elementary Schools | 3 |
| ELE ED 4246 | Teaching Elementary Mathematics in Inclusive Settings I | 3 |
| ELE ED 4342 | Teaching Elementary Mathematics in Inclusive Settings II | 3 |
In addition, students must complete the following Special Education and TESOL courses:
| SPEC ED 3349 | Instructional Practices in Inclusive Education | 3 |
| TCH ED 3210 | General Linguistics in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | 3 |
| TCH ED 3211 | Basic Principles of Second and Foreign Language Acquisition | 3 |
| TCH ED 3213 | Performance-based Assessment for TESOL | 3 |
| TCH ED 3214 | Material Development and Methods for TESOL | 3 |
| TCH ED 3224 | Curriculum Development for Content Teaching of English Language Learners | 3 |
| SPEC ED 4315 | Language and Communication of Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPEC ED 4342 | Transition Issues and Planning | 3 |
The program will culminate in the following practicum courses:
| ELE ED 4992 | Practicum I: Elementary/Special Education/TESOL Site-Based Experience | 3 |
| ELE ED 4993 | Practicum II: Elementary/Special Education/TESOL Site-Based Experience | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 140
- Teaching 113
- Initial State Teacher Certification 60
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) 49
- National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC SARA) 57
- Bachelor's 34
- Educator Preparation and Leadership (EDL) 110
- Fieldwork Included: Internship and/or Practicum 74
- School Teacher Certification 43
- DESE Elementary (Grades 1-6) Certification 6
- Main Campus 133
- Elementary Education 22
- Special Education 15
- Teaching English Language Learners 4
- DESE English Language Learners (Grades K-12) Certification 4
- DESE Mild/Moderate Disability Requirements for Elementary or Secondary Education Majors Certification 4
- St. Louis Arc 4
- The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis 4
- UMSL SUCCEED 4
- Certification 75
- Undergraduate 34
- Undergraduate 34