How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Missouri

<h2 id="section---OverviewOfSpecialEducationTeacherCertificationRequirementsInMissouri">Overview of Special Education Teacher Certification Requirements in Missouri</h2> <p>In order to become a special education teacher in Missouri, applicants must first complete an approved educator preparation program that will qualify them for an Initial Professional Certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The general requirements for the certificate are summarized in the table below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td> Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA</td></tr> <tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> MoGEA and content assessment(s)</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Validity Period </td><td> Four years (initial certificate)</td></tr> <tr><td>Requirements for Upgrade</td><td> Four years teaching experience; mentorship program; 30 contact hours of professional development; beginning teacher assistance program; professional development plan; annual evaluation</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2018)*</td><td>$37,510 (preschool); $54,190 (kindergarten and elementary school); $51,340 (middle school); $48,840 (high school)</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026)* </td><td> 8% (special education teachers nationally)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---GeneralAcademicRequirementsForInitialProfessionalCertificate">General Academic Requirements for Initial Professional Certificate</h3> <p>To obtain an Initial Professional Certificate, the applicant must complete an approved educator program in a special education area. The applicant must have earned their degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (for those graduating after 2017). The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education maintains a database of institutions that are approved to offer specific special education preparation programs. Examples of these are: </p> <ul><li>Blind and Low Vision (B-12) - offered by Missouri State University </li><li>Deaf and Hard of Hearing (B-12) - offered by Fontbonne University, Missouri State University and Washington University </li><li>Early Childhood Special Education (B-3) - offered by Culver-Stockton College, Missouri Valley College and Webster University among others </li><li>Mild/Moderate: Cross Categorical (K-12) - offered by Park University, Evangel University and Drury University among others </li><li>Severe Developmental Disabilities (K-12) - offered by University of Central Missouri and Webster University </li></ul><h3 id="section---AssessmentRequirements">Assessment Requirements</h3> <p>Before entering an educator preparation program, the applicant must pass the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA). The MoGEA has four different assessment areas in reading comprehension and interpretation, mathematics, science and social studies as well as writing. Some programs may also require the completion of the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP), but this is usually optional for residents of Missouri. Applicants will also be required to pass the content assessment relevant to their chosen area of special education. For example, teachers who are specializing in students with vision disabilities must pass the blind and low vision content assessment. </p> <h3 id="section---BackgroundCheckInformation">Background Check Information</h3> <p>To qualify for initial certification, candidates must have their fingerprints checked by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). To start this process, the candidate must pre-register on the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) website. After doing this, the applicant will be guided to the IdentoGo fingerprint collection sites that are in close proximity. When having their fingerprints collected, applicants will need to provide the four-digit registration code of their school district so that the background check results are sent to the right place. While persons outside of Missouri can pre-register on the same website, they will need to mail their fingerprint cards to an approved IdentoGo site. </p> <h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3> <p>The applicant will need to complete their application online through the Certification Account Portal on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. A User ID and password will be required to register and complete the process. While the application is an online process, applicants must submit their supporting documents, such as official transcripts, by mail. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificateInformation">Certificate Information</h3> <p>The Initial Professional Certificate is valid for four years and cannot be renewed. The educator is expected to upgrade to the 99-year Career Continuous Professional Certificate (CCPC) within the validity of the initial certificate. The requirements for upgrading the initial certificate are completing four years of teaching experience, participating in a mentorship program, completing 30 contact hours of professional development, participating in a beginning teacher assistance program, creating a professional development plan, and participating in annual evaluation. If the educator is unable to meet those requirements in the four-year time period, they may apply for an extension.</p>