Inspire current and future generations

Become an educator with an online graduate certificate in elementary school teaching from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

You recently completed a bachelor’s, or you started a career in a related industry and now seek to make a more purposeful impact. This teaching certificate builds off your undergraduate degree, imbuing you with the skills to lead a classroom, help the youngest learners acquire academic and social skills and develop meaningful relationships with your community to uplift all students. Preparing you to obtain a Missouri Initial Professional Teacher Certification in Elementary Teaching 1–6, you’ll progress through online courses and attend field and practicum assignments in person at community agencies and Studio Schools.

Ready to make the transition? All interested candidates must first take the Missouri Content Assessment in their respective subject area before applying to UMSL’s teaching certificate program.

 

Program type:

Graduate certificate

Format:

100% Online

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Elementary School Teaching Graduate Certificate

UMSL’s College of Education established its Teach in 12 certificate program to engage individuals interested in enriching young lives. Beyond instructing you in curriculum planning, assessment and classroom management techniques, the Teach in 12 program strives to graduate educators equipped to support and encourage diverse learners in both formal and informal settings and who see themselves as community leaders ready to make a difference. As a result, the online graduate certificate in elementary school teaching trains you to not simply cover topics but highlight their relevance, applications and meaning and foster students’ academic and social growth in culturally responsive ways


 

As an aspiring elementary school teacher, you’ll learn to captivate learners who are just starting their journey:

This stage sets the foundation for everything after: making the transition to middle and eventually high school and planting the seeds for a future career. Educators help spark a love of reading and writing and integrate these essentials with social studies and mathematics. Students not only gain crucial life and academic skills — they start to discover who they are, what interests them and where they fit in the world.

Transforming you into this force, the online graduate certificate in elementary school teaching:

  • Emphasizes lifelong learning and its role in professional success and student achievement
  • Sheds light on technology as an effective classroom tool and its applications in an increasingly digital society
  • Instructs you in creating connective, collaborative learning experiences through applied content knowledge and pedagogical techniques
  • Prepares you to design, implement and evaluate curriculum based on school and state learning standards
  • Helps you understand how to create a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment that nurtures all students’ personal, intellectual and social development
  • Considers critical thinking and problem solving in the classroom and introduces you to instructional and assessment methods for promoting these qualities in diverse learners
  • Stresses the importance of developing working relationships with students, colleagues, families and community members to champion student success and wellbeing

Upon the completion of all courses and classroom assignments, the College of Education will recommend you to the Missouri Department of Elementary/Secondary Education for teacher certification in Elementary 1–6, provided you meet all state requirements.

 

Plan of study

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Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the UMSL state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

College of Education

UMSL College of Education transforms lives.

Why Choose the UMSL College of Education?

The UMSL College of Education shapes the educational landscape in the St. Louis region, advances educator quality and professional development in Missouri, and is recognized nationally as a leader of vital research and as a hub of innovation. Whether you’re a first-time college student, a career-changer or a seasoned educator seeking additional professional learning and qualifications, the College of Education has much to offer you. Join a warm, supportive and collaborative environment that will help you explore and grow for a meaningful career in education.

College Education

It's what we do.

The College of Education's comprehensive and rigorous curriculum prepares teacher candidates to be highly successful educators. Students complete a year-long practicum experience in a local school or in one of our dozens of area Studio Schools located throughout the region. Practicum incorporates our innovative ResponsiveDesign™ model, our Inquiry Into My Practice approach as well as informative on-campus seminars - all designed to ensure that each teacher candidate is fully prepared for certification and has a promising future as an effective educator. UMSL also offers exciting pathways to become a counselor, principal or superintendent as well as professional certificates to advance your career.

College of Business at UMSL Faculty

Faculty focused on your future.

College of Education faculty have been educating the next generation of leaders more than 50 years. With decades of collective teaching experience, our faculty provides students with world-class education, hands-on experience and innovative curriculum to become an in-demand educator. As a research-focused university, we strive to provide modern, practical training that prepares our students to lead in the classroom from day one.

College of Education at UMSL Faculty

Join a network of professionals.

The College of Education has prepared over 20,000 educators for service – more than any other university in the region. We have had the privilege of educating truly remarkable students. Among all undergraduate students who have graduated in the last four years, more than half have been first generation college students. For our adult learners – whether undergraduate or graduate – Great Value Colleges has highlighted UMSL’s commitment to nontraditional students, ranking the university 5th nationally in its “50 Best Colleges for Adult Education” survey. UMSL education alumni make up a strong network of noble educators, counselors, administrators and scholars motivated to transform the lives of others and advocate for all.

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#1

Online College in Missouri
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60+

non-degree certificate programs

#1

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#5

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