Welcome to Elementary Education

Program Overview

Degree Programs

Undergraduate Program

You can pursue a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education that includes all coursework and filed experiences required by the state of Missouri for certification to teach elementary school. This program is available through the Teacher Development Program.

Certification after Bachelor's Degree (Post-bacc Program)

Master's Degrees

• MEd: Master's in Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education

This program offers 32-semester hours that allow you to participate in advanced research-based courses in literacy/reading, mathematics education, science education, and social studies education.

• MEd: Master's in Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education plus Certification

This program dovetails the requirements for certification and a master's degree. The certification requirements can be met through the Teacher Development Program. In addition, you participate in 15-semester hours of advanced research-based courses in literacy/reading, mathematics education, science education, and social studies education.

For more information, contact Dr. John Lannin

Educational Specialist (Ed.Sp.)

This program gives teachers more expertise and prepares them for leadership positions in elementary education.  Thirty hours of coursework beyond the M.Ed. is required.  Teachers with an Ed. Specialist degree may assume more responsibility in their schools, direct curriculum projects, or supervise other elementary education teachers.

For information about various policies see MU Graduate School.

For more information, contact Dr. Betsy Baker

Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D. and Ed.D)

Would you like to become a district coordinator for Elementary Education or a professor of Elementary Education? You can participate in advanced research-based courses in literacy/reading, mathematics education, science education, and social studies education. In addition, you will be mentored to teach at the university level and to conduct publishable research. The majority of Ed.D. students in elementary education move into administrative roles at the district or state level.  The majority of Ph.D. students in elementary education move on to take positions at universities or colleges. This program offers 72-hours beyond the bachelor's degree.

Goals of the Doctoral Programs

Prepares students to:

• Understand the depth and breath of the fields of literacy, mathematics education, social studies education, and science education in terms of research, curriculum, policy, teacher development and student learning;
• Develop, carry out, and report independent research in some area of elementary education;
• Become outstanding teachers/advisors of college students;
• Understand the role of service in the university setting and begin those memberships in organizations that can lead to a service agenda.
  

These goals are achieved through a combination of course-work, internships, and authentic experiences with research, development, and teacher education.

For information about course requirements, transfer credit, residency requirement, and other policies see LTC Doctoral Programs and the MU Graduate School.

For more information, contact Dr. Betsy Baker

Program Requirements for Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education (leading to certification for grades 1-6)

Courses

Phase I

• TDP 1100 Orientation
• TDP 2000 IL & I and TDP 4085 Field
• TDP 2040 Inquiry into Schools, Community and Society I & TDP 2044 Field
  

Phase II

• TDP 4030 P.E. Activities in Elementary School
• TDP 4240 Art for Children
• TDP 4250 Music for Children
• TDP 4260 Elementary Social Studies
• TDP 4264 Elementary Social Studies Field
• TDP 4221 Essentials of Lit/Focus Writing
• TDP 4224 Essential of Lit/Writing Field
• TDP 4300 Teaching Numbers & Operations
• TDP 4304 Teaching Numbers & Operations Field
• TDP 4020 Inquiry into Learning II
• TDP 4280 Teaching Science in Elementary School
• TDP 4284 Teaching Science in Elementary School Field
• TDP 4211 Essential of Lit/Focus Reading
• TDP 4214 Essential of Lit/Reading Field
• TDP 4310 Teaching Geometry in Elementary
• TDP 4314 Teaching Geometry in Elementary Field
  

Phase III

• TDP 4231 Applications of Literacy
• TDP 4241 Inquiry into Literacy App.
• TDP 4060 ISCS II
• TDP 4971 Teaching Intern & Capstone
  

Fees & Financial Assistance

Fees

Other fees that may apply

• Late Registration Fee: $235.90 charged to students who enroll on or after the beginning date of the course.
• Cancellation Fee: $20.00 charged to students who have registered for credit courses, made payment for fees, and who subsequently cancel their registration before the first day of classes. 
• Application Fee: $45.00 charged to students who are applying to a degree program beginning fall semester 2006. 
• Allied Health Course Fee: $51.20 per credit hour charged to all students enrolled in courses offered by the MU School of Health Professions.
  
• CAFNR Course Fee: $38.70 per credit hour for courses taught within the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 
• Journalism Course Fee: $38.70 per credit hour for courses taught within the Journalism department. 
• Nursing Graduate Course Fee: $155.60 per clinical credit hour may be charged for nursing graduate courses. 
• Elective International Student Insurance $100,000 Limit: For summer semester, a mandatory medical insurance of $162 is charged to International Students with ID#s 741000 and above; optional for International Students with ID#s 740999 and below. Rate for fall semester to be determined.
  

Additional fees for on-campus courses

• Undergraduate Non-Missouri Resident Fee: $355.20 per credit hour in addition to the Educational Fee. 
• Graduate Non-Missouri Resident Fee: $453.90 per credit hour in addition to the Educational Fee. 
• Undergraduate Student Activity Fee: For summer semester, a $58.08 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 5 credit hours. For fall semester, a $116.16 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 11 credit hours. For less than full-time enrollment, the Student Activities Fee will be calculated per credit hour or any fraction thereof.
  
• Graduate Student Activity Fee: For summer semester, a $66.48 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 5 credit hours. For fall semester, a $99.72 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 8 credit hours. For less than full-time enrollment, the Student Activities Fee will be calculated per credit hour or any fraction thereof. 
• Recreation Facility Fee: For summer semester, a $64.87 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 6 credit hours. For fall semester, a $129.74 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 6 credit hours. Students who are enrolled in 6 hours or less or are taking classes off campus will not automatically be charged the Recreation Facility Fee, but may opt to include the charge if they would like to access the recreation facilities.  The Recreation Facility Fee allows students to use campus-based indoor and outdoor facilities as a self-service participant. Recreation facilities include an aquatic complex, basketball courts, a fitness center, racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor tracks, and tennis courts.
• Prepaid Health Fee: For summer semester, a $72.85 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 5 credit hours, optional with lesser hours. For fall semester, a $89.28 mandatory fee is charged to all students enrolled in more than 6 credit hours, optional with lesser hours. Students who are not automatically billed the Prepaid Health Fee may take advantage of services such as primary-care physician visits, in-house lab work, and a pharmacy by paying the fee through the Cashiers Office each semester. MU Direct students may also use the Student Health Center on a fee-for-service basis.
  

Financial Assistance

Many opportunities are available for financial aid at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

The University offers scholarships and assistantships.

Within the College of Education there are scholarships available on a competitive basis (.doc). The application (.doc) deadline is April 1.

The Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum offers teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and scholarships available on a competitive basis. Contact your advisor for further information.