Education (BA) with Certification in Special Education
A minimum of 128 credit hours consisting of the following:
- 33 required credit hours
- Applicable university global citizenship or general education program hours*
- Additional required certification coursework and electives to total 128 credit hours
*Students should consult with their advisor to determine Global Citizenship Program or general education courses that meet required certification competencies
Required Courses for Special Education
| EDUC 2900 Education of Students with Exceptionalities | 3 hours |
| EDUC 3100 Learning, Teaching, and Assessment | 3 hours |
| EDUC 3150 Education in a Diverse Society | 3 hours |
| (B or better required) | |
| EDUC 3155 Early Diversity Practicum | 1 hour |
| (B or better required) | |
| EDUC 3375 Behavior Management | 3 hours |
| EDUC 2070 Child Development OR | 3 hours |
| PSYC 2200 Child Psychology | 3 hours |
| EDUC 2120 Adolescent Development OR | 3 hours |
| PSYC 2250 Adolescent Psychology | 3 hours |
| EDUC 3000 Intermediate Practicum and Seminar | 3 hours |
| EDUC 4000 Apprentice Teaching Seminar | 1 hour |
| EDUC 4980 (grades K-12) | 13 hours |
Additional Education Courses Required for Certification
| EDUC 2110 Communication in Education |
| EDUC 3520 Methods of Teaching of Elementary Reading |
| EDUC 4070 Methods of Teaching of Reading in the Content Areas |
| EDUC 4330 Introduction to Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities |
| EDUC 4440 Inclusion Strategies |
| EDUC 4450 Psychoeducational Assessment |
| EDUC 4460 Methods of Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities I |
| EDUC 4470 Methods of Teaching Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities II |
| EDUC 4700 Analysis and Correction of Reading Disabilities |
| EDUC 4730 Language Development of Children with Disabilities |
| MTHT 4310 Methods and Materials for Teaching Elementary Math |
| MTHT 4320 Methods of Teaching Mathematics for the Disabled Learner |
| PSYC 4250 Introduction to Counseling |
| 4 credits of Education Technology classes (EDUC 3125/EDUC 3126 and INDZ 3500 Software Adaptations) |
| Additional required certification coursework and electives to total 128 credit hours |
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
- 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 identified 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 Web site.
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.
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 Webster 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 GPA of 2.75 in college-level coursework from all post-secondary institutions attended.
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 mid-September. Practica applications for Fall are due mid-February.
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.
All students seeking initial certification are required to present a 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 online at ets.org or in the Office of Teacher Certification. Students must have a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam prior to the start of the Apprentice Teaching semester.
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