Admission to the Teacher Certification Program

Education courses listed below the 300-level are open to all students. Students pursuing teacher certification may not enroll in Education courses as Pass/Fail unless the course is a designed Pass/Fail course by the Department. Admission to the program is required prior to enrollment in all education courses 300 and above. Students are required to meet requirements and seek admission as early as possible.

Students who seek admission to the Teacher Certification Program must have:

  • Completed 6 hrs of Education courses at Columbia College which must include EDUC 101 and 251
  • Attained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (includes all coursework, Columbia College and other) with no grade of less than C in the professional education courses
  • Demonstrated competencies in all content and skill areas (written and oral communication, English, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences) by obtaining a satisfactory rating on the Missouri College Basic Academic Skills Examination (CBASE)
  • ACT or SAT score higher than the national average as required by the Education Department or a CBASE score of 300 or above
  • Completion of application materials for admission to the Teacher Certification Program (to be obtained from the Certification Officer by appointment) and will include: Request for Admission, GPA Worksheet, and two letters of recommendation (one from Education Department and one from outside the Education Department)

Retention criteria:

  • Complete at least 6 hrs of professional education each year
  • Complete Field Experiences (251, 350, 351) and receive favorable evaluations from cooperating teachers and faculty supervisors
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above after acceptance to the program
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above in professional education courses

Other requirements that must be completed prior to certification:

  • Successful completion/passing of appropriate Praxis II exam
  • Successful completion of program certification portfolio (EDUC 400) and exit interview