Recommendation for Teacher CertificationAlthough the School of Education may recommend persons for certification to teach in Missouri, the requirements for certification are determined by the state. The State of Missouri requires that any individual seeking to be a teacher complete an accredited college or university's teacher education program. Individuals seeking certification must meet the program requirements established by UMKC as approved and accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regardless of previously completed college coursework. Post-baccalaureate students are encouraged to consider entering the field of education but should be prepared to complete the specific general education, subject area and professional education courses that are required for certification.In cooperation with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, UMKC is responsible for recommending students for teacher certification. Requests for certification are initiated by students through the School of Education. For qualified individuals, the School of Education will make recommendations to state departments. Alumni who have completed a certification program also file their requests for certification renewals and certification to different states through the UMKC School of Education Student Services Office. The certification manager in the School of Education Student Services Office serves as a certification officer for teachers, counselors and principals at UMKC. Certification application materials and information for Missouri can be obtained in the UMKC School of Education Student Services Office or by contacting the state at http://dese.mo.gov/. Certification application materials and information for Kansas can be obtained in the UMKC School of Education Student Services Office or by contacting the state at http://www.ksde.org. Students should apply for certification early in their final semester to prevent delay in receiving the certificate. Institutional recommendations for certification are made only for students who have completed a UMKC School of Education degree or the equivalent in the appropriate certification area. To establish a basis for the institutional recommendation, all students who do not earn a degree at UMKC, who are seeking an additional endorsement to teach, administer, or counsel, must take at least 12 hours of coursework planned with an adviser in the School of Education. Most states, including Missouri and Kansas, have additional testing requirements for certification. It is the student's responsibility to obtain this information and satisfy those testing requirements prior to applying for certification. In addition, the states of Missouri and Kansas require that all candidates for certification submit fingerprints to be used for state and national background checks before any certificate is issued. On completion of the appropriate degree, recommendation for Missouri* certification can be achieved in the following areas:
Alternative Certification for Middle School and Secondary EducationThe Alternative Teacher Certification (ATC) program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City is designed to meet the needs of Missouri school districts for middle and secondary school math teachers who hold a temporary authorization certificate. A temporary authorization certificate is issued by the state at the request of a school district, allowing the district to hire the candidate. The alternative certification program provides a nontraditional route for teacher candidates who already have bachelor's degrees in an area closely related to what they intend to teach to earn an income teaching full time while completing the necessary coursework at UMKC to be successful in today’s classrooms. Teacher candidates will be supported throughout their participation in the program with weekly cohort seminars, instructional assistance, and mentoring. The program is intended to serve and meet the needs of Math teachers who have been hired in a Missouri school district. To be eligible for this program through UMKC, the application for certificate must be filed jointly by UMKC and the school district where the teacher candidate is employed. For more information on the Alternative Certification option, see the Education section of the Graduate Catalog.
Provisional CertificationThe State of Missouri allows individuals who hold a bachelor's degree to be provisionally certified to teach provided the individual is within 12 credit hours of completing a teacher certification program. The Missouri school district that wishes to employ such an individual for a teaching position must complete an application for provisional certificate. The student then brings the application to the certification officer for the School of Education for completion of an academic contract.
Criminal Record CheckMissouri State law requires all persons working in the public schools have passed a criminal background check as done by the Missouri FBI and Missouri Highway Patrol. Students applying for teacher certification will have to request an FBI background check from DESE. Forms and instructions are available directly from DESE or in the Student Services Office.
State of Missouri Grade-Point Average RequirementAll persons certified to teach in public elementary and secondary schools in Missouri, except for non-academic vocational and 45- and 90-day substitute teachers, must have an overall 2.5 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
Missouri Certification TestingMissouri has established a requirement that all prospective teachers must take a competency examination prior to certification. All students must pass the Praxis II Specialty Area Test, appropriate to their field of study, prior to graduation for certification in Missouri. All test results must be reported before any application for teacher certification can be endorsed by the UMKC School of Education. Passing scores have been established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Contact the School of Education Student Services Office for more information. Applications for Missouri teacher certification cannot be processed until the appropriate certification examination score has been achieved.
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