Elementary Education Degree

Professional Education Requirements: 

• BS118    Introduction to Process Science for Elementary Teachers (1) OR BS128    Inquiry & Evidence & Scientific Practices for Educators (1)
• CF233    Creative Thought & Expression in Children (3)
• ED280    Introduction to Education as a Profession (3)
• EF400    Student Teaching Seminar (1)
• EL274    Diversity in American Schools (3)
• EL300    Instructional & Assistive Technology in a Universally Designed Learning Environment (3)
• EL310    Pedagogy – Elementary Instructional Strategies / Models (3)
• EL314    Literacy Field Experience (3)
• EL316    Emergent and Early Literacy Instruction (3)
• EL317    Literacy Methods for Elementary Teachers (3)
• EL340    Classroom Management (3)
• EL350    Content Field Experience (3)
• EL354    Meeting the Needs of Struggling Readers (3)
• EL355    Content & Disciplinary Literacy (3)
• EL356    Teaching Math in Elementary Schools (3)
• EL360    Integrated Math, Science, Social Sciences, Health Instruction (3)
• EL410    Differentiated Instruction (3)
• EL420    Assessment & Data Analysis (3)
• EL430    Advanced Field Experience (3)
• EL480    Elementary Education Student Teaching (12)
• EN140    Rhetoric & Critical Thinking (3)
• EX390    Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
• LI243      Children’s Literature (3)
• MA128    Numbers and Operations for Educators (4)*
• MA228    Geometry & Measurements for Educators (4)
• PY120    Psychological Development of the Child (3) OR CF120    Foundations of Child Development (3)

Additional Requirements: 

• BS218    Biological Science: A Process Approach (3)
• EC101    Economic Problems & Policies (3)
• EN100    English Composition I (3)
• EX302    Language Development of Children with Exceptionalities (3) OR CE370    Language Acquisition of the Young Child (3)
• PH218    Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)
• PS103    U.S. Political Systems (3)
• SC105    Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
• UI100     Seminar (1)
• UI308     Physical/Cultural Landscapes of the World (3)
• US105    American History I (3)

Approved Elective – Choose 7 hours: 

• Art 
• Autism 
• Child and Family 
• Dance 
• English 
• Family Engagement 
• Fine Arts 
• Foreign Language 
• Inclusion 
• Math 
• Middle School certification 
• Music 
• Psychology 
• Science 
• Social Sciences 
• TESOL 
• Theatre 

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
• Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
• Written Communication – 6 hours
• Oral Communication – 3 hours
• Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
• Mathematics – 3 hours
• Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
• Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
• Civics examination

Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program

To be eligible for enrollment in the majority of courses offered by the Teacher Preparation Program and required for a teaching degree (BSE, BSFCSE, BME), students must be admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP). Applications can be found on the Educator Preparation Program page.

Students should apply for admission to the TPP upon having met the following entrance criteria:

1. 42 hours of coursework completed.
2. Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
3. The following course requirements met:
   1. A minimum grade of ‘C’ in CF/PY120 The Child (Elementary, Early, and Exceptional) or PY222 Development of the Adolescent (Middle and Secondary).
   2. A minimum grade of ‘B’ in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession or ME222 Principles of Teaching Music.
4. International students must also have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, TOEFL score of 95, PTE score of 64, or Duolingo score of 125. This requirement is for non-United States citizens who are not native English speakers. Students from countries where English is known to be the official language of education are exempt from English proficiency verification.

Retention in the Teacher Preparation Program

After admission, students must continue to meet the following requirements for retention in the TPP:

1. Demonstrate continued eligibility for interaction with schoolchildren by completing an MSHP/FBI background check through the use of the MSHP/FBI background check system. A current background check is required for participation in all field and clinical experiences.
2. Pass all professional education courses with a minimum grade of ‘C.’ A minimum grade of ‘C’ must be obtained in all prerequisite courses before a student can be enrolled in subsequent coursework.
3. Demonstrate behavior appropriate for teaching professionals. Appeals related to removal from the TPP can be found on the Educator Preparation Program page.

Graduation Requirement

1. A 3.0 GPA in pedagogy coursework is required for all Education majors.
2. A 2.5 GPA in content coursework is required for all middle school, secondary, and K-12 programs except Exceptional Child K-12, Music K-12, and Social Studies 9-12, which require a 3.0 GPA in content coursework.

Teacher Certification

Upon completion of Southeast’s Teacher Preparation Program, an individual is eligible to be recommended for a Missouri Teaching Certificate if the student has the following:

1. A final 3.0 GPA in pedagogy coursework is required for all Education majors. A final 2.5 GPA in content coursework is required for all middle school, secondary, and K-12 programs (excluding Exceptional Child K-12).
2. A passing score on the appropriate licensure exam(s) as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
3. A passing score on the Teacher Candidate Instrument of the Missouri Educator Evaluation System.
4. MSHP/FBI background clearance from no earlier than one year prior to the date of the application for certification.

Additional Notes

Regardless of printed program requirements, any changes or additions mandated by the State of Missouri will become effective on the date cited by the regulations.

Students transferring into education programs should be aware of the need to be eligible for admission to the teacher preparation program immediately upon transfer. They should contact the Candidate Status and Certification Officer well in advance of the time of transfer.

First Year

Fall Semester (12 Hours)

• UI100 (1)
• EN100 (3)
• BS118 (1)
• MA128 (4)
• SC105 (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• BS218 (3)
• ED280 (3)
• EN140 (3)
• MA228 (4)
• PY/CF120 (3)

Second Year

Fall Semester (16 Hours)

• EC101 (3)
• PH218 (3)
• PS103 (3)
• UI308 (3)
• US105 (3)
• Elective (1)

Spring Semester (18 Hours)

• CF233 (3)
• EL274 (3)
• LI243 (3)
• EX302 or CE370 (3)
• Approved Elective (3)
• Approved Elective (3)

Milestone: Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program

Third Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

Literacy Block

• EL300 (3)
• EL314 (3)
• EL316 (3)
• EL317 (3)
• EL340 (3)

Spring Semester (15 Hours)

Content Block

• EL310 (3)
• EL350 (3)
• EL355 (3)
• EL360 (3)
• EX390 (3)

Milestone: Maintain a 3.0 GPA in content courses and in professional education courses

Fourth Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

Advanced Block

• EL356 (3)
• EL354 (3)
• EL410 (3)
• EL420 (3)
• EL430 (3)

Spring Semester (13 Hours)

Student Teaching Block

• EF400 (1)
• EL480 (12)

Milestone: Passing score on MO state assessment, passing score on MEES, 3.0 GPA in content courses and in professional education courses