About the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program
For post-baccalaureate students that did not earn a teacher certificate during their undergraduate studies, the average number of credit hours necessary to complete the teacher certificate program at Drury University is 45 credit hours. This varies depending on what undergraduate prerequisite courses the student needs to take before starting the professional education foundations courses that lead to a teacher certificate. Once admitted to the program, your academic advisor will do an audit of your transcripts and help you plan a sequence of classes. You can also contact the School of Education & Child Development before applying to the program to discuss what courses you’ll need to take to complete the teacher certification program.
The teacher certifications available through Drury University are limited to the areas approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and by the Drury University Teacher Education Council.
The preparation of becoming a teacher requires an opportunity to apply theory and knowledge in the context of the school classroom situation if future teachers are to meet the challenging demands placed upon them by the pressure of contemporary society and the modern school. Teachers cannot be prepared in the isolation of the college classroom. The Drury University teacher certification program, although firmly rooted in the liberal arts tradition, is also grounded in a partnership with the public schools. Field experience and student teaching are required to complete the teacher certification program. Course credit is earned through field experience and student teaching that applies towards your certification.
Student teaching must be completed during the Fall Semester or the Spring Semester for a minimum of sixteen (16) weeks in an all-day placement during regular school hours. The student teaching placement must be in the subject area(s) and grade level for which initial teacher certification is sought under the direct supervision of the cooperating teacher.
Note: Many post-baccalaureate certification students also choose to complete a master’s degree in education concurrently with the post-baccalaureate program of study. The principal advantage to this is that some graduate courses may count toward both programs, making your progression toward your educational goals even more efficient and cost-effective.
Areas of Certification
On the Springfield campus the following initial teacher certifications are offered for post-baccalaureate students:
On the Springfield campus, the following endorsements are offered (initial state certification required):
The only completion program for teacher certification available at the St. Robert campus is Elementary Education (1-6).
Alternative Physical Education Certification
The Alternative Physical Education Certification Program is designed for post-baccalaureate students seeking initial certification in K-12 Physical Education in the state of Missouri. The program requires that candidates have a bachelor’s degree in a related content area (kinesiology, exercise science, et cetera), and have passed subtest 5091 of the Praxis. The program includes all courses related to certification including field and clinical experiences, which includes student teaching. This course may be completed at the undergraduate level (EDUC 478) or at the graduate level (EDUC 699); completing the course at the graduate level requires the candidate to secure provisional certification.
The Alternative Physical Education Certification Program is a non-degree seeking program. Candidates wanting to pursue this program should contact the School of Education and Child Development prior to registering for classes. Please contact Ali Geren, certification officer, at ageren@drury.edu or 417-873-7369.
Transcript evaluations are intended for students who already have a conferred undergraduate degree and are seeking initial teacher certification. Students who are interested in earning a graduate degree in education should also have their transcripts evaluated if they are seeking initial teacher certification.
Follow the steps below to initiate a transcript evaluation:
Send all transcripts to: Drury University
Lay Hall – Attn: Coord. of Teacher Certification
900 North Benton Ave
Springfield, MO 65802
Please note that if you are admitted into one of the education graduate programs, you still need to have a transcript evaluation completed if you are seeking initial teacher certification. You must complete state requirements, in addition to the requirements of the graduate program. Completing a graduate program is not required for teacher certification.
Please call (417) 873-7369 for clarification regarding state teacher certification requirements.
Please call (417) 873-6948 for clarification regarding graduate program requirements.
