In response to the state-wide shortage of Special Education teachers, Missouri State University developed an alternative/accelerated Masters Degree program which combines teacher certification in Cross-Categorical Special Education K-12 and a Master's in Special Education. This program received formal approval from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the fall of 2003. The Special Education Alternative Certification Track (SEACT) program was designed for those who wish to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities while pursuing teacher certification and a corresponding graduate degree. Students who meet admission requirements must be employed by a school district by the second year of the SEACT, and must maintain a Provisional Teaching Certificate through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education completing certification coursework in accordance with the requirements of the provisional certificate and the graduate program of study. Because this program is usually completed by candidates who are working full-time, the program takes approximately three years to complete, two years for certification coursework with additional coursework to support the research requirements of the graduate degree (total of 43 credit hours).
The SEACT program is an accelerated masters program and the coursework is challenging. Admission is based on a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of professional coursework, a letter of application, three letters of references and evidence of ability to complete rigorous course work. Students who apply will be considered on an individual basis for admission, and those who are not accepted may choose to pursue the Post-Baccalaureate route to Special Education Certification (see information below). Students who are accepted to the program will follow a structured program sequence within a cohort system.
Students must complete the national teacher examination Praxis in the second year of the program and the SEACT coursework prepares candidates well with pass rates for the initial exam trial at nearly 100 percent. Based on the high program quality and evidenced based focus of the SEACT, candidates have been readily employed to support the 2nd year provisional teaching certificate requirement. Expectations are high for candidates in the program; however, the competency based course work is highly structured with significant advisor and faculty support. The SEACT contains a blend of on site methods, lab coursework, online, arranged practicum, or condensed summer instructional format to support the alternative nature of the program and the demands on students who are teaching while completing a graduate degree.
Special Education Alternative Certification (SEACT) Program
This program consists of approximately 34 hours of graduate courses for certification, with an additional 9 hours required to complete the Master's degree. All of the courses are offered in the evening and summers, allowing students to pursue their certification while teaching full-time on a Provisional Certificate. For a list of courses in the SEACT program, click here.
Who would choose the SEACT program route to certification?
- Students who have a minimum 3.00 GPA (Students with a 2.75 - 3.00 may be admitted on probation under special circumstances with permission of the Special Education Dept.)
- Students who feel they can complete accelerated Master's Degree coursework
- Students who want to earn a Master's Degree while also earning certification
- Students who would like to take primarily evening and summer coursework.
How do I apply for the SEACT Program?
All applicants to the Special Education Alternative Certification Track (SEACT) program (K-12) must complete the following process to be admitted:
- Apply to the Graduate College at Missouri State. To apply online, click here (One set of Official transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate College)
- Submit a letter of application describing why you wish to teach special education students, what skills and abilities you have that would make you a good teacher of special education students, and why you believe you would be a good candidate academically for this program.
- Submit three letters of reference, one from a present or past employer, one from an instructor, and one from an individual who can attest to the candidate's academic ability. Three letters of reference are required, however, the type of letters are guidelines, not strict requirements. If you don't have a past instructor, employer, etc. please submit your best three letters of reference from legitimate sources.
- Request a Transcript Analysis from the Teacher Certification Office at Missouri State University. To request your analysis, click here (One set of Official transcripts must be submitted to the Teacher Certification Office)
Please contact Lisa Monkres in the Teacher Certification Office at 417-836-4206, if you have any questions.
All application materials should be submitted to:
Lisa Monkres, Admissions Coordinator
Teacher Certification Office
Missouri State University
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
The Special Education Department reviews applications for graduate admission on a monthly basis. Prospective students who wish to be accepted for a particular semester should have a complete application file submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in order to allow time for transcripts to be reviewed and a committee meeting to be held.