Emphasis Area: General

  Total Hours Required                           36

Courses Related to the Student's Educational Role

Supporting Courses

Alternative Teacher Certification

After a Program of Study has been developed and approved by UMKC, the teacher candidate will be responsible for filing this information with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Jefferson City, Mo. After all requested information has been received, a teacher candidate will be issued a one year temporary certificate. This certificate enables a person to teach while earning the necessary requirements for a professional classification. After successful completion of the ATC program, a teacher candidate will be recommended for a full professional teaching certificate in the decided upon content area and grade level.

Areas of Alternative Certification Offered by UMKC for 2005-2006: Art, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.

Alternative Teacher Certification Admissions Requirements

Steps for Eligibility:

1. Initial interview with the Director of Alternative Certification and preview program to obtain certification.
2. A cumulative 3.0 GPA.
3. Minimum 3.0 GPA in content field.
4. B.A. in a "closely related field" (As determined by UMKC and participating school district).
5. A contract with a Missouri school district teaching in the field for which certification is being sought.

Steps After You Have Obtained A Teaching Position:

1. Complete University of Missouri-Kansas City application for admission (if not already admitted to UMKC). Application available at: http://www.umkc.edu/admit. A $35 application fee payable to UMKC is required of students not already admitted to UMKC.
2. Complete School of Education Alternative Teacher Certification application.
3. Print and complete the state application form available online at: http://dese.mo.gov/forms/divteachqual/MO500-2327.pdf, it will need to be signed by your employing school district. A copy of the Academic Contract must also accompany this application. Copies are also available from the Director of Alternative Certification.
4. Pass FBI background check during the first semester in program (This step needs to be completed immediately after being hired by a school district. You may obtain this information from the district or university).
5. Meet with Director of Alternative Certification to develop a Program of Study. This is a list of courses you will take to earn your certification. A list of suggested courses is attached to this document.
6. Submit official transcripts from all institutions (undergraduate and graduate).

Steps Within the First Semester and Program Participation:

1. Participate in weekly cohort group.
2. Pass subject area PRAXIS II by the end of first semester in program.
3. Pass computer competency exam during first semester in program http://www.umkc.edu/education/comp_require.htm.
4. Pass PRAXIS exam in Teaching and Learning during first year in program.
5. Enroll in classes each semester.

Courses for Temporary Authorization (only)            Hours
(Fulfills "courses related to the student's educational 
role" and "supporting courses" from above)
  EDSP 407    Educating Exceptional Children
  -or-          and Youth                                 3
  TE   404    Education of the Exceptional Child          3
  EDCI 5561   Teaching Diverse Populations
                in Today's Classrooms                     3
  EDUC 489BP  Basic Principles of Teaching and
                Learning in Today's Classrooms            3
  TE   4xx    Special Methods (content field)             3
  TE   427    Reading in the Content Fields               3
  EDRP 5512   Adolescent Development                      3
    -or-
  TE   420    Adolescent Development                      3
  EDCI 5589xx Classroom Assessment                        3
  EDUC 489TA  Beginning Teacher Seminar 
                (1 credit hour x 3 semesters)             3

Alternative Certification Program Requirements to Receive University Recommendation for Certification

• Fulfill all components of the agreed upon Program of Study.
• Satisfactory completion of all coursework listed above with grades of C or better (C- or below is not acceptable).
• Overall 2.5 GPA.
• Successful performance on evaluations/observations from school, director, and university supervisors.
• Portfolio review demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the UMKC Teacher Education Preparation Goals.