UMSL’s Teach in 12 is a path to teacher certification for those who have already earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited program. Candidates must have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for undergraduate work and 3.0 for graduate work. All eligible candidates must have a passing score on the Missouri Content Assessment (MOCA) in their area of study: elementary education grades 1-6, art education grades K-12, music education grades K-12, or high school subject areas (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, social studies, English, Spanish, or French).
Yes. In addition to earning teacher certification, you can earn a Master of Education (MEd) through the program. The master’s degree requires an additional three or four courses depending on the certification area.
Before applying, we encourage all prospective students to meet with one of our academic advisors to gain detailed information on the program. Visit our Teach in 12 How to Apply page for more information on applying.
For specific questions about eligibility, application instructions, and testing information, reach out to our advising team via this form. For more general questions, you can reach our advising team via email at coeadvising@umsl.edu for more information.
All candidates seeking educator certification in Missouri are required to achieve a passing score on the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment (MOCA) before starting Teach in 12.
No. Candidates apply through the UMSL Graduate School for admissions as a teacher certification candidate. While all transcripts including past coursework are required, the GRE and GMAT are not required for this program.
We take great pride in preparing educators who are well experienced to affect all students in a wide variety of settings, and with a much broader understanding of education's role in society. 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 experiences. In addition to becoming teachers in K-12 settings, we prepare educators for a variety of careers in a variety of contexts (i.e. youth serving organizations, museums, zoos, gardens, nature centers, after school programs, tutoring/mentoring programs, businesses, legislative offices, etc.) all of which impact student learning. We prepare community educators as well as K-12 classroom teachers who provide relevance, application and meaning to student learning in developmentally, socially and culturally responsive ways.
Most Teach in12 teacher certification courses are offered online. However, all practicum and agency field experiences take place on-site at our partner schools and agencies.
Educator candidates complete two on-site practicum experiences within our Studio Schools, which include public, private and charter schools throughout the St. Louis region. We invite you to explore our interactive studio school map to see our many school partners. Candidates are immersed in schools where they are regarded as full members of the staff. Our expert teachers, known as clinical educators, provide candidates with support and supervision, lead seminars, give one-on-one guidance and foster partnerships for collaboration.
Studio schools are our partner schools that use the Studio School Model for clinical practice. The model utilizes a "differentiated staffing" plan where teams of candidates, clinical educators, teachers and administrators collaborate to explore, envision and enact innovative solutions that deepen learning and raise K-12 student achievement. Teacher candidates, supported by their supervisor and school site mentor, engage with students in multiple, varied and wide ranging contexts. These can include small group settings, whole class lessons, enrichment and support lessons all focused learning experiences.
The Office of Clinical Experience sends all candidates a survey to complete prior to the start of the semester, asking them to rank the studio school options by preference and/or distance. Placements are ultimately assigned by factoring in the survey results and available site openings, as well as the timeframe in which practicum applications are submitted. In most instances, candidates will complete both practicum experiences at the same studio school.
UMSL collaborates with a number of community agency partners in the region to introduce candidates to a variety of options for careers in education and to support coursework with meaningful practice, as well as introduce candidates to learning options for students outside the classroom. As a teacher candidate, you will work with youth-serving agencies to support them in non-traditional settings. You will also gain valuable practical knowledge by applying university course content to interactions with learners in agencies. All teacher candidates must complete 20 hours of field experience in a community agency, but flexible hours in the day, evening and weekends are often available.
