Webster University: Department of Teacher Education

Department of Teacher Education

Majors and Degrees Offered

Education (B.A.) with Certification in the following areas:
- Early Childhood (Pre-kindergarten-Grade 3)
- Elementary (Grades 1-5)
- Middle School Education (Grades 5-9) with emphases in:
- Art (Grades K-12)
- English (Grades 9-12)
- Foreign Language (French, German, or Spanish) (Grades K-12)
- Journalism (Grades 9-12)
- Math (Grades 9-12)
- Music (Choral) (Grades K-12)
- Music (Instrumental) (Grades K-12)
- Social Studies (Grades 9-12)
- Unified Science (Grades 9-12)
- Special Education (Mild/Moderate/Cross-Categorical) (Grades K-12)
Educational Studies (without certification)

Minor Offered

Education

Course Listings

Teacher Education (EDUC)

Special Study Opportunities

Within the School of Education students may pursue traditional education courses and activities, including supervised practica, independent studies, and reading courses, or explore issues in the field of educational philosophy, theory, and methodology through a variety of professional activities. Other options may include experiences in varied educational settings at Webster University’s international campuses, conferences, study tours, Professional Development Schools, Student Literacy Corps, and other service learning opportunities and field experiences in inclusive schools, all of which prepare students for teaching in an increasingly diverse society.

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence is an integral part of Webster University’s School of Education. The Institute supports innovative education, program development, community service, and improved teaching and learning with emphasis on economically disadvantaged minority, immigrant, and/or disabled
public school children from the urban setting.

Admission to the Major

Students may be fully admitted to the major when the following criteria have been met:

A B – or better in EDUC 3150 Education in a Diverse Society
A B or better in EDUC 3155 Early Diversity Practicum
A completed Candidate Responsibility Form
A departmental GPA of 3.0, based on all EDUC courses taken

General Information

Students pursuing teacher certification will be dropped from EDUC methods courses if all sections of the C-Base Exam have not been successfully completed upon earning 64 college-level credit hours. Transfer students must complete the C-Base during the first semester following transfer to Webster.
Students must maintain a grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 3.0 in the education major. A cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 in all college-level coursework for students pursuing initial teacher certification is required.
Students must demonstrate satisfactory competency in regard to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions identi-fied in the School of Education Conceptual Framework.
Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling specific course requirements of the major.

NOTE: Policies and procedures governing the Education major and Teacher certification are available on the School of Education website.

Teacher Certification

Because Students enrolled in the Education major pursue initial teacher certification as part of their degree, a Program of Study (POS) is designed to meet the general education requirements of both the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the degree requirements of Webster University.

Teacher Certification Programs

Early Childhood Education (birth-3)
Elementary Education (1-6)
Middle School Education (5-9)
English (9-12)
Foreign Language (K-12) (French, German, Spanish)
Journalism (9-12)
Mathematics (9-12)
Social Studies (9-12)
Unified Science/Biology (9-12)
Art (K-12)
Music (K-12) (Instrumental, Vocal)
Special Education (K-12) (Mild/Moderate/Cross-Categorical)

Students seeking secondary education certification choose a major in their specialty area. Advisors from the specialty area work closely with the School of Education to assure that students meet the requirements of both their majors and teacher certification. Students pursuing a secondary school certificate in a specialty area must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in all professional education and content coursework required by DESE.

Admission to Teacher Certification

Admission to teacher certification requires the following:

successful completion of all sections of the C-BASE Exam by 64 credit hours of college-level coursework (transfer students must pass all sections of the C-Base during the first semester following transfer to Web-ster University);
written Program of Study (POS) outlining the degree and program requirements developed by completion of 64 credit hours;
completion of a college composition course with a grade of B- or better;
completion of a college mathematics course (appropriate to the area of emphasis) with a grade of B- or better;
completion of EDUC 3150 with a grade of B- or better;
completion of EDUC 3155 with a grade of B or better
a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 in college-level coursework from all post-secondary institutions at-tended.

Practicum/Apprentice Teaching

A 3000-level practicum is required as a prerequisite to apprentice teaching. To enroll in a practicum, Students must make formal application to the Office of Apprentice Teaching and Field Experience. Practica applications for Spring placements are due by October 1st. Practica applications for Fall are due March 1st.

Apprentice teaching is a requirement for all initial certifications. To enroll in apprentice teaching, students must make formal application to the Office of Apprentice Teaching and Field Experience at least one semester prior to the semester in which they plan to practice teach. Application must be filed during periods designated and posted.

Note: The application for practicum and apprentice teaching will not be accepted if the student has not been formally accepted to teacher certification status.

Students should contact the Office of Apprentice Teaching and Field Experience to obtain an application for apprentice teaching. Apprentice teaching and practicum placements will be made in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Fox, and Francis Howell School Districts. Students should not contact school officials or teachers about placement, but they should contact the office of the Coordinator of Apprentice Teaching and Field Experience for such information. The Apprentice Teaching Handbook will be issued at the apprentice teaching orientation meeting. All students enrolled in apprentice teaching must participate in a mandatory seminar.

All Undergraduate candidates for certification must complete either their practicum or apprentice teaching in a diverse setting.

Application for Certification

All students seeking initial certification are required to present an electronic portfolio or teacher work sample demonstrating competency in teaching as identified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

All students seeking teacher certification must achieve the Missouri minimum score on the PRAXIS II, which is administered at least six times a year. Information on this test may be obtained in the Office of Teacher Certification.

Undergraduate Registration into MAT Courses

Courses in the 5000 series are graduate courses. An upper-division undergraduate student may enroll in them with the written permission of his or her advisor and the appropriate dean.

In addition, undergraduate students are not eligible to register into MAT courses until MAT pre-registration is completed. Then, if open seats are available in a particular course, the student may consult with his or her advisor regarding registration in MAT courses.

Postbaccalaureate Certification—Nondegree

Students who already hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may be able to pursue initial or additional certification through Webster University. Information regarding acceptance and requirements may be obtained from the Office of Teacher Certification. Students classified as nondegree students requesting Apprentice Teaching or Practicum in Special Education must have successfully completed a minimum of 6 credit hours in coursework from the School of Education at Webster University prior to application.

Postbaccalaureate Certification—MAT

All students interested in pursuing the MAT degree concurrently with certification must be admitted separate-ly to the MAT program and the Teacher Certification program. Program requirements will vary according to prior coursework and experience.