Applying for Certification for Candidates with a Related Doctorate Degree

Certification through Doctorate is only available in areas of middle school and secondary education. DESE will not grant a certification through doctorate for Education Administration, Counseling or any other teaching or student services certificate. If you have not yet determined your eligibility, please visit our Certification through Doctorate website. Once you have determined that you are eligible for Certification through Doctorate degree AND have earned a passing score on the appropriate Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA), you can begin the application process for Certification through Doctorate.

Steps to apply for the Initial Professional Certificate using Certification through Doctorate:

Step 1

Create a DESE online profile. View detailed instructions.

Step 2

Apply for certification in Missouri.

  • Complete an Application for Non-Missouri Graduates. This application has several different uses, and does not specifically state that it is used for individuals applying for Certification through Doctorate. Therefore, please follow these steps carefully to accurately complete the process:
    • Please begin by going to the following website: https://dese.mo.gov/
      • Click "Educator Certification" in the center of the page.
      • From this page, click on "Educator Certification System" in the center of the page. You can also click on "Web Application" on the lower right. Both will take you to the login screen.
      • Enter your DESE User Name and Password and click "login"
      • Under the Heading "DESE Web Applications", click on "Educator Certification System".
    • On the left side, click the arrow next to "New Applications" to expand the list.
    • Select "Non-MO Graduates".
      • There will be a pop-up window with additional instructions. Make sure to print or save those instructions. They will be needed once you complete the application.
      • Make sure your profile information is correct. If not, you can edit and save it right on the application. DESE uses email as a primary form of communication, so please make sure your email address is accurate.
      • Answer all Professional Conduct questions. If you mark "yes" to any, you will be required to add a comment.
      • Choose the purpose of the application. This is a VERY important step! You will select "Applying with an Out of State Institution Recommendation". However, instead of submitting an institutional verification form, you will write a letter to DESE requesting that they review your transcripts and certify you based on the Certification through Doctorate rule.
      • Missouri Area of Certification Requested: Click "add" and then select the subject area and grade level that most closely matches the subject area of your Doctorate Degree. You can only chose content areas available in grades 9-12 or 5-9. Make sure to hit "save" when finished with this section.
      • State Required Tests: Check your DESE online profile to see if they have received your MoCA scores. If not, you will indicate in this section the test you have completed and the score you earned. You will then need to mail DESE a copy of your score report.
      • Teaching Experience: If you have teaching experience, click "add" then "Edit" and complete the information for each teaching job you have had. You do not need to include non-teaching employment or teaching at the University level. Make sure to click "save" once you are finished entering this information.
      • Release of Information: You must click the "I accept" button.
      • Required Fees: This application has a required fee of $100.00. You will pay the fee when you submit your application at the end.
      • Click the "Submit and Pay" Button. YOU ARE NOT FINISHED YET - DO NOT EXIT THE SYSTEM.
      • Out of State Verification Form: After hitting "submit to DESE", you will get a confirmation and then will see a "print" button on the bottom of the page. You do not need to print an out-of-state verification form since you are not certified in another state.

You will then mail official transcripts, a copy of your MoCA score report (if not in your DESE profile) and your letter requesting Certification through Doctorate to DESE. Please mail all materials to the following address:

DESE - Educator Certification
PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Step 3

Finish the application process. Once you have submitted your application, please refer to the Application Checklist you printed out at the beginning of the application to complete the rest of the steps in the process. This will include an FBI Background Check.

DESE personnel will respond to your request, usually within 4-6 weeks but it could be longer during peak times of year.