Missouri State’s Elementary Education program, the largest and only one of its kind in Missouri, provides experiences that prepare students to become effective elementary teachers in grades one through six. A comprehensive eight-week field-based component is part of this exciting program that includes more than 120 hours of classroom experience prior to student teaching. Current trends indicate employment opportunities for Elementary Education graduates have increased. A student enrolled in the program has the option of receiving additional certification, such as middle school. In addition, students may acquire an emphasis in Special Education (certification in L.D., B.D., D.D. O.H.I.), Early Childhood or Middle School, which will increase their employability and prepare them to meet the diverse learning needs of children in today’s classrooms. Beginning salaries for graduates are in the $25,000 to $30,000 range, depending on the geographic area.

The program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Education, accredited by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and NCATE, and nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International. 

Missouri State University’s Elementary Education Program is extensively field-based. Students take teaching methods courses in conjunction with placement in elementary classrooms in the Springfield Public Schools. This authentic "theory to practice" approach to teacher training gives preservice teachers practical, hands-on experience working with children and youth of diverse backgrounds and learning levels before student teaching. Over 100 clock hours of classroom experiences are logged during the first semester of the senior year. Student teaching, a 16 week experience, culminates the training sequence. The Elementary Education baccalaureate degree program requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of approximately 134 hours. The program includes course work that will satisfy the university’s general education requirements. This sequence is designed to provide a basic content background in subject-matter areas related to the elementary school curricula. Professional education courses (54 hours) are sequenced to provide both study in the university setting and practical experience in elementary classrooms. As a part of the regular program, a student elects a 12-hour area of concentration in an academic discipline.

A high school student considering elementary teaching as a career is encouraged to become actively involved with elementary age children in a variety of settings, such as public schools or summer day camps. Membership in the Future Educators of America (FEA) is strongly encouraged if the club is sponsored by the high school. In addition, a selection of high school courses to provide strong academic preparation in English, mathematics, science and social studies is highly recommended.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program at Missouri State requires completion of at least 30 college hours; a 2.75 GPA; a valid ACT score (if required by DESE); completion of ELE 302 and COM 115 with a C or higher; and a score of 265 on all components of the state’s general education competency test-the C-BASE; Missouri Family Care Safety Registry check; and approval of the PEC.

Please consult the Missouri State Catalog online at www.missouristate.edu/catalog for course descriptions and specific degree requirements.

The faculty offices are located in Hill Hall. Faculty members are actively involved in teaching, research and service activities at the local, state and national levels. While the faculty provides advisement assistance to the undergraduate students, a central advisement office is located in Hill Hall. Students are encouraged to gain initial advisement from this center.

A student majoring in Elementary Education has the opportunity to become involved in a variety of student organizations. For example, Kappa Delta Pi is an honorary organization for Education majors, and the Student National Education Association and the Student Missouri State Teachers Association are professional organizations for Education majors. These organizations provide students with the opportunity for professional growth and meeting students with similar interests. A most important service provided by the university and the School of Teacher Education pertains to helping students secure teaching positions upon graduation. Career Services, in cooperation with the department, has placed more than 90 percent of recent Elementary Education graduates in teaching positions.