Drury Alternative Track in Special Education (DATSE)

To meet requirements for teacher certification in the area of Cross Categorical/Mild Moderate Disabilities, DATSE graduate candidates must complete structured field experiences aligned to course work and demonstrate standards-based performances specific to the area of certification.

Standards-based performances specific to the DATSE program may only be met in a public K-12 school setting with students diagnosed with mild/moderate disabilities. Field experience requirements within the DATSE program are as follows:

1. No later than the time of enrollment in EDUC 653: Methods of Teaching Mild/Moderate Disabilities, EDUC 654: Clinical Experiences I, EDUC 655: Clinical Experiences II, and EDUC 699: Culminating Internship, the DATSE candidate must be employed by a public school and working in a K-12 setting as a special education teacher on a provisional certificate with a caseload to include students with a diagnosis aligned to a mild/moderate disability. This does not include an assignment where the primary duties are speech implementation, early childhood special educator, teacher of students with severe disabilities, or teacher in general education. The provisional certification must be approved through the School of Education and Child Development, DESE, and the employing school district.OR
2. No later than the time of enrollment in EDUC 653: Methods of Teaching Mild/Moderate Disabilities, EDUC 654: Clinical Experiences I, EDUC 655: Clinical Experiences II, and EDUC 699: Culminating Internship, the DATSE candidate must be employed by a public school and working in a K-12 setting as a special education paraprofessional supporting students with a diagnosis aligned to a mild/moderate disability.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) prefers that students in the DATSE program are teaching on a provisional certificate prior to or no later than the semester enrolled in EDUC 653. Candidates who are working as a paraprofessional in an approved setting must provide documentation that field requirements can be met via an agreement signed by a District Supervisor. In addition, a letter verifying district employment must be submitted during the semester the candidate is enrolled in EDUC 699. This documentation must be submitted to the School of Education and Child Development Certification Officer.

The DATSE program of study leads to a Missouri initial teaching certification in mild/moderate special education (grades K-12) and to the Master in Education degree.

*DATSE Candidates who are working as a paraprofessional must complete EDUC 699 for six credit hours.

Missouri Content Assessment

In order to be state certified, all DATSE students must pass the Missouri Content Assessment for special education Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical Special Education Assessment (050).

Admission Interview

Prospective students must work with the School of Education and Child Development to submit all required materials for graduate admission. Once that process is complete, students must interview with the faculty member of the School of Education and Child Development. The form below must be submitted electronically prior to the interview and students must bring a hard copy to the interview as well.

DATSE Admission Interview Requirements