Online: M.A. in Teaching of STEM
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Exceptional Child Education by the Numbers
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100%
Successful Outcomes Rate
Students graduating with degrees from the Department of Elementary, Early, and Special Education report being employed or furthering their education six months after graduation.
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$68K
Preschool Special Education Teachers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Preschool special education teachers is $68,110.
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2
National Recognitions
The College of Education has received national recognition for excellence from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), & Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
Online: MAT STEM Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree
Teaching in STEM Curriculum
The time it takes to earn a degree will vary based on factors such as dual enrollment, remediation, and summer enrollment. Students meet with an academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their progress.
Full Admission: Mathematics or Science Certification Grades 9-12:
- BA/BS in the content area or closely related field that meets the required content competencies for the license.
- 2.75 Cumulative Undergraduate GPA
- 3.0 Undergraduate Content GPA
- Pre-Requisite Courses:
- PY222 Adolescent Development (or equivalent
course) - EX390 Psychology of the Exceptional Child or EX
635 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (or equivalent
course)
- PY222 Adolescent Development (or equivalent
- Successful passage of Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) in the appropriate content area as defined by the Missouri Department of Middle and Secondary Education.
Full Admission: Mathematics or Science Certification Grades 5-9:
- BA/BS in the content area or 24 credit hours of completed courses that meet the required content competencies for the license.
- Math – 24 hours of math must include courses in College Algebra, Geometry, and Applied or Pre-Calculus.
- Science – 24 hours of science with a minimum of 8 hours of physical and 8 hours of life science courses.
- 2.75 Cumulative Undergraduate GPA
- 3.0 Undergraduate Content GPA
- Pre-Requisite Courses:
- PY222 Adolescent Development (or equivalent course)
- EX390 Psychology of the Exceptional Child or EX635 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (or equivalent course)
- Successful passage of Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) in the appropriate content area as defined by the Missouri Department of Middle and Secondary Education.
STEM Education – 33 hours required – 3.0 GPA Required
Required Courses:
- SE602 Effective Literacy Instruction at the Middle and Secondary Levels (3)
- SE612 Responsive Literacy for Middle and High School Students with Academic Challenges (3)
- SE650 Introduction to Teaching Methods in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
- SE651 Introductory Practicum 1 in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
- SE654 Advanced Methods of Teaching in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
- SE655 Techniques of Teaching STEM Content (3)
- SE660 Intermediate Practicum 2 in Middle and Secondary Schools (3)
- SE670 Internship in Middle and Secondary Schools (8)
Choose 4 hours:
- SE652 Intermediate Methods of Teaching in Middle Schools (4)
- SE653 Intermediate Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools (4)
Degree Requirements
The field experience component requires practicums within the appropriate certification grade-band and content area. These will occur during the mornings and/or afternoons. The field work must be completed in approved settings, under the supervision of a certified teacher and qualified university supervisor. This field work may be completed in the graduate student’s workplace, if the setting meets the requirements.
Certification
The state of Missouri has high expectations for future educators. Students must meet the following standards to be recommended for licensure following degree completion. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all required program courses. In addition, students must pass the MO Educator Evaluation System for recommendation for licensure, and fulfill other assessments such as a dispositions profile and be cleared through an FBI background check.
Semester 1 (6 Hours):
- SE602 (3)
- SE650 (3)
Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA
Semester 2 (7 Hours):
- SE651 (3)
- SE652/653 (4)
Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA
Semester 3 (12 Hours):
- SE612 (3)
- SE654 (3)
- SE655 (3)
- SE660 (3)
Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA
Semester 4 (8 Hours):
- SE670 (8)
Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA; all professional education coursework complete
Professor in the Department of Leadership, Middle and Secondary Education
"In order to promote a sense of community and collaboration, I design each class to address active student engagement where my philosophy centers on the constructivist approach to learning. "
Dr. Lisa Bertrand, Ed.D.

College of Education, Health and Human Studies
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is housed within the College of Education, Health and Human Studies. The college boasts programs that train students in mind, body, and soul. So, whether you want to teach, to care, to support, or to fix, we have a program to get you there.
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Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Additional Resources
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701