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Curriculum & Instruction – 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 College of Education and Human Services may select one of two pathways to completion of the program:

  • Successful completion of the Lindenwood University teacher education program and successful completion of the required state tests, 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 Curriculum and Instruction Program Council (CIPC). The council, broadly representative of all colleges 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. A student who seeks entrance into the teacher education program does so after successful completion of 9 hours of education coursework; students will apply for the teacher education program while enrolled in EDU 21501.The student will not be allowed to enroll in most upper level or methods coursework until the student has been formally admitted at Stage One to the teacher education program. All application materials for admission to the teacher education program and admission to student teaching must be completed and submitted in Foliotek, the online portfolio system used by all programs in the College of Education and Human Services.

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 College of Education and Human Services.

  3. The student has achieved 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. The student submits a completed Program Plan with advisor signature to Foliotek.

  6. The student must have qualifying scores on only one of the following assessments:
    a. The student has attained a qualifying cut score of 220 on subtests #066, #067, and #068 of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA
    b. The student has attained a qualifying ACT composite score of 20
    c. The student has attained a qualifying SAT composite score of 1050
    d. The student has attained qualifying Elementary MOCA scores on both tests (#073 and #074) of 220,
    e. The student has attained a qualifying Paraprofessional exam score of 220

    If the student does not have a qualifying composite score on the ACT or SAT, but has qualifying scores on individual subject sections of the ACT or SAT, students can mix and match as needed to achieve qualifying scores. Individual subject section scores of the ACT are 20 Math, 20 Reading, 20 English section. Individual subject section scores for the SAT are 520 Math, 520 Reading, 520 Writing & Language.

    These qualifying cut scores are currently determined by individual educator preparation programs but are subject to future changes statewide by the MoDESE.

    Students who are denied on these metrics can appeal the process to request a wholistic review.     

  7. All materials must be uploaded to Foliotek and accepted before the student can be recommended to the Curriculum and Instruction Program Council (CIPC) 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 advisor

  5. TB test results

  6. The student must have qualifying scores on only one of the following assessments:
    a. The student has attained a qualifying cut score of 220 on subtests #066, #067, and #068 of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
    b. The student has attained a qualifying ACT composite score of 20
    c. The student has attained a qualifying SAT composite score of 1050
    d. The student has attained qualifying Elementary MOCA scores on both tests (#073 and #074) of 220,
    e. The student has attained a qualifying Paraprofessional exam score of 220

  7. If the student does not have a qualifying composite score on the ACT or SAT, but has qualifying scores on individual subject sections of the ACT or SAT, students can mix and match as needed to achieve qualifying scores. Individual subject section scores of the ACT are 20 Math, 20 Reading, 20 English section. Individual subject section scores for the SAT are 520 Math, 520 Reading, 520 Writing & Language.

    These qualifying cut scores are currently determined by individual educator preparation programs but are subject to future changes statewide by the MoDESE

    Students who are denied on these metrics can appeal the process to request a wholistic review.

  8. 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 the student 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, the student may contact the Advising, Retention and Certification Center at (636) 949-4377 for more assistance.

  9. The teacher candidate has completed all required coursework. 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.  

  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 through the student's membership in MNEA or MSTA.

Student Teaching applications must be completed and submitted by:

October 15 for Spring Semester

April 15 for Fall Semester 

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. 

  3. 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.

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

    5. 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 College of Education and Human Services 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 the student is seeking certification. A list of contacts is located on the College of Education and Human Services 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

Students who wish to earn a teaching certificate at the secondary level must earn a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science in the content (subject) area in which they wish to teach and, additionally, complete the requirements for either of the following minors:

  • Minor in education (Grades K-12)
  • Minor in secondary education (Grades 9-12)

Note: Students seeking grades K-12 or 9-12 certification will work with one professional advisor when admitted to Lindenwood. Upon completion of a number of successful terms at Lindenwood, students pursing grades K-12 or 9-12 certification will transition to a content area advisor and an advisor from the College of Education and Human Services to ensure all DESE requirements for certification have been met. These requirements may exceed the requirements for the degree in the content area.