The Temporary Authorization Certificate (TAC) is a Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) certification route. The UMSL College of Education offers online coursework that meets the requirements for secondary education and special education certification. At UMSL, we also offer advisor support through each step of the TAC plan.
The TAC route to certification is for those who have been hired by a school to teach the subject in which they have a degree, or to teach special education. The TAC agreement is between the teacher, the hiring district/school, and DESE.
Requirements
- Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the subject area to be taught or a closely related field (applications for a special education temporary authorization must possess a baccalaureate or higher degree) with a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Submission of a joint application verifying contracted employment with a Missouri public school district or accredited non-public school.
Official DESE information regarding the TAC can be found at: DESE TAC Requirements
Sample Plan of Courses
Upon Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approval of your TAC plan, provide a copy of your certificate and plan to your UMSL advisor.
If you are transferring into the Transition to Teaching Program with a previous Plan of Courses, contact your DESE Certification Supervisor in writing for determination of competencies met and needed. Provide your revised plan to your UMSL academic advisor.
| Course | Title | Credit hours | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | |||
| ELE ED 6337 | Teaching and Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classrooms: Teaching Reading and Writing | 3, online | Methods of Teaching Reading |
| ELE ED 6246 | Math Content Pedagogy, Inquiry-Based Instruction, and Assessment | 3, online |
Methods of Teaching Mathematics |
| Spring | |||
|
SPEC ED 6412 |
Psychology of the Exceptional Child |
3, online |
Psychology of the Exceptional Child |
| SPEC ED 6325 | Positive Behavior Interventions for Individual, Classroom, and School-wide Systems | 3, online | Behavioral Management Techniques |
| Summer | |||
| ED PSY 6222 | Advanced Studies in Child and Adolescent Development | 3, online | Psychological Development of the Child and Adolescent |
| TCH ED 6030 | Instruction, Learning, and Assessment | 3, online | Evaluation of Abilities and Achievement to include Intelligence Testing |
| Fall | |||
| SPEC ED 6443 | Characteristics and Education of Students with Learning Disabilities | 3, online | Methods of Teaching Students with Cross Categorical Disabilities |
| SPEC ED 6315 | Understanding and Implementing Speech and Language Interventions to Assist Children with Special Needs | 3, online | Speech and Language Development of the Exceptional Child |
| Spring | |||
| ELE ED 6448 | Diagnosis and Remediation in Math Disabilities | 3, online | Methods of Teaching Remedial Mathematics |
| SPEC ED 6346 | Reading Instruction and Intervention | 3, online | Analysis and Correction of Reading Disabilities |
| Summer | |||
| SPEC ED 6342 | Transition Education for Adult Life | 3, online | Transition Processes, including Career Education or Career Readiness |
| ED PSY 6545 | Consultation in Schools and Other Settings | 3, online | Counseling Techniques or Collaboration with Family, School and Community |
| Fall | |||
| TCH ED 6010 | Examining History, Community, and Social Justice in Education | 3, online | Cultural Diversity |
Missouri Content Assessments
- Missouri Content Assessmient (PRAXIS)
- Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355)
- Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7-12 (5624)
