Prospective educators must meet several requirements to become a teacher in Missouri, including earning a teaching degree, completing teacher training, and earning state teacher certification. 

Steps to Become a Teacher in Missouri 

Most teachers begin their careers in Missouri classrooms by earning an initial professional certificate (IPC) from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Some teachers may begin with a temporary authorization certificate (TAC) before meeting the requirements for an IPC. In the 2023-24 school year, DESE issued more than 3,600 initial certifications and 1,800 provisional certifications.  

Certification is required to work in Missouri public schools and some private schools. Nearly 70,000 teachers in Missouri work in public schools, according to NCES. 

The steps below outline how to meet the requirements to become a certified teacher in Missouri.  

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree 

Missouri teachers need a four-year bachelor’s degree. Many earn a bachelor’s degree in education to meet the teacher preparation requirements. Undergraduate education programs incorporate subject matter content along with curriculum design, assessment, and field experience. Missouri requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in required program courses for initial teacher certification. 

Prospective middle and secondary teachers may also major in their content area and then complete additional training. For example, prospective teachers with a bachelor’s degree in English, math, science, art or a related field can enroll in a master’s degree program in teaching to complete their teacher certification requirements.  

2. Complete a Teacher Preparation Program 

Educators strengthen their pedagogical skills by completing a teacher education program. DESE approves programs that meet state requirements. Applicants need a recommendation from their teacher education program to receive their certificate.  

Approved undergraduate education programs, such as a bachelor’s degree program in education or teaching, will integrate teacher preparation into its major requirements. Prospective teachers with a nonteaching bachelor’s degree can also teach under a provisional certificate while completing the teacher preparation program.  

3. Complete a Student Teaching Experience 

To become a teacher in Missouri, candidates must complete student teaching experience requirements. Classroom experience strengthens the instructional and teaching skills that educators need.  

Teacher preparation programs place learners in internships to gain classroom experience. Alternative pathways allow educators with a provisional certificate to count their experience toward student teaching requirements.  

4. Pass Exams 

Missouri uses Praxis exams to assess candidates for certification. The exam requirement differs depending on the teacher’s grade level and subject area. Elementary educators need to pass the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test, for example. Middle school and high school teachers must pass exams in their subject areas.  

DESE and Praxis provide additional information on what exams teachers in Missouri must complete for certification, including minimum passing scores. 

5. Apply for an Initial Professional Certificate 

After meeting Missouri’s education, experience and exam requirements, candidates submit an application for their IPC through DESE. This process includes a background check.  

The IPC is valid for four years. When the initial certificate expires, educators with four years of qualifying experience who have participated in a mentorship program and completed certain professional development requirements can apply for a career continuous professional certificate (CCPC).  

Educators may also follow alternative pathways to certification. DESE provides additional information on licensure requirements through alternative pathways. 

6. Consider a Master’s Degree in Teaching 

Master’s degree programs in education are designed to help prepare nonteachers for initial certification or help current teachers advance their knowledge.  

A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed to help aspiring teachers develop advanced curriculum design, education technology, and assessment skills. Those with a bachelor’s degree in a nonteaching major can complete teacher preparation requirements in a MAT program. 

While Missouri doesn’t require a master’s degree for teacher certification, the degree can benefit educators. Educators with a master’s degree may also qualify for higher salaries.  

Demand for Teachers in Missouri 

Teachers in Missouri are in high demand. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) projects about 4,500 job openings for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers annually from 2022 to 2032.  

Graduates of teacher preparation programs fall short of meeting Missouri’s need for teachers. In the 2023-24 school year, Missouri hired more than 4,860 first-year teachers, according to DESE. However, only 3,410 educators graduated from preparation programs that year.  

The U.S. Department of Education and DESE have identified the most in-demand teaching areas for Missouri schools. Critical shortage areas for teachers in Missouri include the following: 

• Social science (middle and secondary) 

• Language arts (middle and secondary; journalism, speech and theater) 

• Physical education (K-12) 

• Art (K-12) 

• Music (K-12) 

Teacher Salaries in Missouri 

How much do teachers make in Missouri? Missouri teachers earn average salaries between $55,000 and $60,000, according to MERIC. Teachers with a master’s degree typically benefit from higher salaries. About 65 percent of public school teachers in Missouri hold a master’s degree or higher, according to NCES. 

In 2024, the average salaries for teachers in Missouri were as follows: 

• Elementary school teachers: $54,470 

• Middle school teachers: $60,500 
• High school teachers: $58,640 

Public schools generally pay higher salaries than private schools. 

Missouri recently passed a law to raise the minimum teacher’s salary to $40,000 for 2025-26, according to DESE — a significant increase from the previous minimum teacher’s salary of $25,000. Educators with a master’s degree and at least 10 years of teaching experience will also have minimum salary increases through 2027.  

Earn a Master’s Degree in Teaching at SEMO Online 

Are you considering a career change? SEMO Online offers a Master of Arts in Teaching program that prepares graduates for middle or secondary teaching certification. Prospective teachers with a bachelor’s degree in their teaching content area can meet the state’s certification requirements with the MAT program.  

Master’s degree students learn how to create instructional materials, integrate technology into teaching plans, and assess learners. The program also incorporates field experience and student teaching, allowing students to learn from experienced educators and develop classroom skills. With a recommendation from the MAT program, graduates can earn their initial teaching certification and pursue teaching jobs in Missouri.  

Contact SEMO Online today to learn more about how the Master of Arts in Teaching program can help you achieve your goal of becoming a teacher in Missouri.