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Nov 23, 2024
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Initial Teacher Certification
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 Return to: Graduate Programs
The Graduate Initial Certification program is a 41-81 hours (depending on certification area) program designed for the adult who has completed a baccalaureate degree and wishes to pursue teaching certification. Avila’s Initial Teacher Certification program is an online program, with asynchronous and synchronous courses.
Avila University teacher education programs approved by the State of Missouri are elementary (1-6); middle school (5-9) with concentrations in Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies; art education (K-12); instrumental music (K-12); physical education (K-12); special education: mild/moderate cross-categorical (K-12); vocal music (K-12); and secondary education (9-12) with concentrations in biology, business, chemistry, English, marketing, social studies, and speech/theater. For more information see the School of Education graduate website.
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Initial Teacher Certification Core Requirements (34 credit hours)
Initial Teacher Certification Areas
Students wanting to become certified to teach in Missouri must also choose one of the certification areas below to complete their program.
Elementary Teacher Certification (30 hours)
Students who want to become an elementary teacher (grades 1-6) must take these additional requirements:
Middle School Teacher Certification (12 hours)
Avila University offers the following middle school teacher certification areas: Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Students who want to teach at the middle school level (grades 5-9) must take these additional courses:
Secondary Teacher Certification (9 hours)
Avila University offers the following secondary (grades 9-12) teacher certification areas: Biology, Business, Chemistry, English, Marketing, Social Studies, and Speech/Theatre. Students wanting to teach at the high school level (grades 9-12) must take the following additional courses:
K-12 Initial Teacher Certification (7 hours)
Avila University offers the following K-12 teacher certification areas: Art, Music (both vocal and instrumental), and Physical Education. Students wanting to teach at the K-12 level must take the following additional requirements:
Special Education: Cross-Categorical Teacher Certification: (47 hours)
Students who want to become a Special Education teacher (grades K-12) will earn dual certification in both elementary and special education: cross categorial mild/moderate. These additional courses must be taken:
Admission Requirements for Initial Teacher Certification Programs
Please see the Admissions page of this catalog. In order to be fully admitted into the Graduate Initial Certification program applicants must have:
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher on the bachelor’s degree conferring transcripts;
Applicants who do not meet the grade point average requirement may be considered for provisional admittance if:
- Cumulative GPA is between 2.5-2.75
- Review of last 60 credit hours
- 2.75 or higher on the last 60 credit hours will be provisionally admitted
- a meeting may be required with the School of Education Chair and/or Graduate Advisor
- 2.74 or lower admittance will be denied
Applicants whose Bachelor’s GPA is below 2.5 will be denied admittance.
**Out-of-country credentials must be evaluated by an agency on DESE’s list of approved evaluation agencies. Evaluation results must be sent directly to Avila University from the evaluation agency.
Initial Teacher Certification Policies
Teacher Candidacy Requirements
- University/College coursework
- 6 hours of professional education coursework, including ED 585 Practicum, with a grade of “B” or better
- Grade Point Average Requirement
- Education courses - 3.0 or above
- Positive recommendations from ED 585 Practicum
- Positive Professional Dispositions recommendations
- Closely related degree or a passing score on the designated Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA)
The School of Education reserves the right to refuse admission to the teacher education program to any person who has been convicted of a felony or has otherwise committed an offense inappropriate for a teacher.
Teacher Certification Academic Policy
All graduate initial certification candidates who have been formally advanced to teacher candidacy status must meet the following criteria to remain enrolled in the program:
- Earn a grade of “B” or better in ED 515 General Methods and Differentiated Learning;
- Maintain an education (ED) GPA of 3.0 or above; and
- Earn a grade of “B” or better for each course in the program, with only one grade of “C” allowed.
If a student earns below a C in a course, the course may be repeated once. Only one course may be repeated during the entire program.
Students who are unable to maintain these academic standards will be dismissed from the program.
Teacher Certification Completion Requirements
- Completion of all required 500-level coursework for the appropriate program within a seven (7) year period
- Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours of education coursework at Avila prior to Final Clinical Experience / Internship
- Maintain Grade Point Average Requirement
- Education courses - 3.0 or above
- Positive Professional Dispositions recommendations
More detailed information about the School of Education’s programs and policies can be found in the School of Education’s Student Handbook.
Note: In order to receive initial teacher certification, students must pass the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment exam (MoCA). Students must meet with the Certification Officer to ensure all certification requirements are completed. A current list of initial certification requirements can be found on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website: https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certification.
Most teacher candidates apply for Kansas certification along with Missouri teacher certification.
Outcomes
In addition to the certification requirements stated earlier in this catalog, initial certification students must meet these learning outcomes. The outcomes for the Initial Teacher Certification programs are aligned with the Missouri Teacher Standard and Quality Indicators.
Initial Teacher Certification Learning Outcomes
- The candidate will use theoretical knowledge, research, and culturally responsive practices to create a positive learning environment that promotes the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
- The candidate will apply principles, theories, and methods of effective curriculum design, instruction, and assessment to promote the learning, critical thinking skills, and social responsibilities of all student populations.
- The candidate models professionalism through effective internal and external communication, self-reflection and professional growth, and productive and effective collaboration with students, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Assessment
Conceptual Framework goals/outcomes and Missouri Teacher Standards and Quality Indicators are assessed through:
- Advancement processes for Teacher Candidacy and Final Clinical Experience;
- Performance on course class assignments, and signature assessments, as indicated on course syllabi;
- Performance on state certification exams; and
- Performance evaluations in field-based and clinical courses.
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