Master of Education

The master of education program offers all of its classes online and has rolling entry dates every eight weeks throughout the year. Assignments are designed to enhance classroom teaching, curriculum, and assessment of student growth. Students will be provided with an elevated level of educational theory and methods to further develop their teaching skills for implementation in classroom environments.

The master of education program prepares teachers to:

Communicate and collaborate effectively

Evaluate programs and practices for student success

Conduct relevant action research

Enhance critical thinking in a positive learning environment

Integrate advanced pedagogical and technological practices into the curriculum

Improve instructional methods

Along with the general education track, two other tracks are offered in the master of the education program.

Alternative certification track

This provides potential teachers who do not have an educational background the opportunity to earn certification in various areas. Strong professional candidates can expand their knowledge in education and contribute to the profession with a wide range of professional experience and content knowledge. People who initially trained in other areas but discovered a passion for teaching might be interested in this track.

Students may select an area of certification that may or may not be directly related to the focus of their undergraduate degree. Program areas offered in the alternate certification track are art K-12, biology 9-12, business education 5-9 and 9-12, chemistry 9-12, English 9-12, health K-12, language arts 5-9, math 5-9 and 9-12, instrumental music K-12, music vocal K-12, physical education K-12, science 5-9, speech and theatre 5-9 and 9-12, and social science 5-9 and 9-12.

Students must pass a content test in the subject area before beginning the program.

Special Reading certification track

This track is for practising elementary or early childhood teachers who seek certification as a Title I reading teacher, reading interventionist, or reading instructional coach. School districts need more highly-trained teachers in reading specialization, and a new Missouri law requires teachers to take coursework to receive a Special Reading certificate to be eligible for reading positions at their school. This certification provides teachers with specialized training in assisting struggling readers.

This track also allows teachers to complete work toward their master of education degree upon earning certification.

Program offers:

Career planning and placement services

Access to our full library, including bibliographic databases with full-text capabilities

Personalized advising and degree planning

Accreditation by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Most students complete the program in 12 to 24 months

Students who earn their master of education degree in Missouri are eligible to teach in any state