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Teacher Education Department

The Lindenwood University Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE https://dese.mo.gov/). The initial teacher education program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC www.teac.org) through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP www.caepnet.org).

Students who enroll in the School of Education may select one of two pathways to completion of the program:

  • Successful completion of the Lindenwood University teacher education program qualifies the student for recommendation for teaching certification, issued by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MoDESE).
  • Those students who desire to work in an educational field but do not desire teaching certification may pursue a degree in Educational Studies.

Admission

The teacher education program is divided into three stages and is the result of action by the Council of Teacher Education (CTE). The council, broadly representative of all schools at the university, considers the student’s application to the teacher education program to be in Stage One after the student has completed the steps outlined below. A student who seeks entrance into the teacher education program does so after successful completion of 9 hours of education coursework. Students should apply during EDU 21501. The student will not be allowed to enroll in most upper level or methods coursework until he/she has been formally admitted at Stage One to the teacher education program. All application for admission to the teacher education program and admission to student teaching must be completed and submitted in Foliotek.

Stage One - Admission to Teacher Education

  1. The student has been accepted to Lindenwood University.

  2. The student has completed at least 9 hours of coursework from the School of Education.

  3. The student has achieved a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75 (including all college/university transcripts), a content area coursework GPA of 3.0, and a professional education coursework GPA of 3.0, with a minimum grade of C in all professional education courses. 

  4. The student has demonstrated evidence of competency in communications by passing ENGL 15000, ENGL 17000, and general education oral communications classes with a grade of C or better. Preferred general education oral communications course options are listed within program of study requirements.

  5. Program Plan from his/her advisor.

  6. The student has attained the qualifying cut scores of 220 on all subtests of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) test code (66-69) (www.mo.nesinc.com).*These qualifying cut scores are currently determined by individual educator preparation programs but are subject to future changes statewide by the MoDESE or the student has attained a qualifying ACT composite score of 20 (Students do not have to have both MoGEA and ACT.)

  7. All materials must be uploaded to Foliotek and accepted before the student can be recommended to the Council of Teacher Education (CTE) for formal admittance into the Teacher Education Program.

Stage Two - Admission to Student Teaching

Acceptance into Stage Two is required for admittance into student teaching. All applications for admission to the teacher education program and admission to student teaching must be completed and submitted in Foliotek. The following are the requirements for admission to Stage Two.

  1. Candidate information sheet

  2. Résumé application

  3. Philosophy of education

  4. Program Plan from his/her advisor

  5. TB test results

  6. The student has attained the qualifying cut scores of 220 on all subtests of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) test code (66-69). *These qualifying cut scores are currently determined by individual educator preparation programs but are subject to future changes statewide by the MoDESE or the student has attained a qualifying ACT composite score of 20 (Students do not have to have both MoGEA and ACT.)

  7. The teacher candidate has obtained a passing score on the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA).The Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) are tests required for all student teacher candidates.

    1. The Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) are tests required for all student teacher candidates. The test should be taken after most of the content courses for the desired program have been successfully completed and prior to student teaching. Candidates must also pass the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment in order to be recommended for certification. A passing score on the MoCA exam demonstrates that the teacher candidate has mastered the subject area that he/she will teach.

    2. The correct MoCA exam is posted on the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessment (MEGA) website (www.mo.nesinc.com). If a student is unsure of which test to take after reviewing the website, he/she may contact the Advising, Retention and Certification Center at 636-949-4377 for more assistance.

  8. The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum content GPA of 3.0. If the teacher candidate has a content GPA between a 2.75-2.99 and has passed the Missouri Content Assessment in the appropriate certification area at one standard error of measurement above 220, the teacher candidate can still meet the content GPA requirement for admission to student teaching. 

  9. The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. This includes all coursework taken at Lindenwood and other institutions for college credit. If the teacher candidate has met all of the other requirements for admission to student teaching but does not have the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and has demonstrated a strong academic track record and has the potential to meet the cumulative GPA at the end of student teaching, the teacher candidate may be accepted into student teaching with the understanding that a cumulative 2.75 must be obtained before being recommended for certification.

  10. Three letters of recommendation

  11. Family care safety registry clear background check

  12. Travel waiver

  13. Confidentiality agreement

  14. Substitute certificate

  15. Professional liability insurance

Teaching applications must be completed and submitted by:

August 31 for Spring Semester

January 31 for Fall Semester

Any revisions or additional documentation required must be accepted by November 1 for Spring student teaching and by July 1 for Fall student teaching.*

*Teacher candidates can appeal late submissions in writing to the Chair of the Council for Teacher Education, Dr. Janette Ralston, on the appropriate form found in the Field Experience Handbook. The Chair of the Council for Teacher Education will bring the appeal to the committee for consideration. This appeal must be made no later than November 15 for Spring Student Teaching and July 15 for Fall Student Teaching. No appeals will be considered after this date. However, no placement is guaranteed after the deadline of November 1 or July 1 due to limited placement opportunities. Teacher candidates should have alternative plans in case the Council does not accept the appeal.

Stage Three - Completion of Teacher Education Program

  1. The teacher candidate must earn a minimum professional education coursework GPA of 3.0.

  2. The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum content GPA of 3.0. If the teacher candidate has a content GPA between a 2.75-2.99 and has passed the Missouri Content Assessment in the appropriate certification area at one standard error of measurement above 220, the teacher candidate can still meet the content GPA requirement for admission to student teaching.

  3. The teacher candidate is expected to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. This includes all coursework taken at Lindenwood and other institutions for college credit. 

  4. The teacher candidate must successfully complete the student teaching course, EDU 41000, including all seminar sessions and portfolio requirements as identified by Lindenwood University in support of the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) Evaluation Assessment. The portfolio must be completed before a grade will be issued for student teaching.

  5. Candidates are also required to complete the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) with a satisfactory score to be recommended for certification.

    6. Certification

    Each state issues its own teaching certificates based on its own requirements. Upon passing the state-mandated exit assessment and successfully completing the planned degree program, each Lindenwood University School of Education student applies for certification to teach in Missouri. The student who wishes to pursue certification in other states should seek advice from the Department of Education within the state he or she is seeking certification. A list of those contacts are located on the School of Education web-page. The Lindenwood certification officer at arcc@lindenwood.edu can assist students who are pursuing certification in other states.

    International students or students who have completed high school outside of the U.S. are also required to complete coursework in the following areas:

    • English composition, two courses, each a minimum of three credit hours

    • U.S. history, three credit hours

    • U.S. (National) government, three credit hours