Teacher, sitting, and young student, standing, as they look over a world globe together.

Shape The Future As A Teacher

Request Information

Shape The Future As A Missouri Teacher

Elevate your teaching career with the Columbia College ConnectUP! program, powered by the DEWEY Awards grant. Our education programs are stepping stones to success, equipping you to inspire and lead change. With flexible 8-week sessions, online or evening, your dreams are always within reach.


By submitting this form, you expressly consent to Columbia College contacting you via email, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and texts to the provided wireless number. Message and data rates may apply. Your consent is not necessary for purchasing goods or services.

Build Your Teaching Career With The ConnectUP! DEWEY Program

Generously funded by the DEWEY Awards grant, this program is designed to empower new teachers and students from regions facing teacher shortages in Missouri in three ways.

Scholarship Tech Package Wishlist Program
Tailored scholarships to each student teacher's needs to ensure your success in the profession without the burden of full-time provisional positions. As a Missouri resident, you may qualify for essential tools for success, such as a free laptop and financial assistance for internet service. Fifteen recent Columbia College graduates will receive awards to outfit their classrooms, aiding new teachers without requiring a program application.
Our education programs are stepping stones to success, equipping you to inspire and lead change. With flexible 8-week sessions, online or evening, your dreams are always within reach.
Remember, you're just one stride away from making a difference so take that leap. We believe in you!

 

Apply for ConnectUP! Program

Path To Your MO Teaching License

We offer a variety of pathways that lead to an initial teaching certificate and beyond for the state of Missouri.

Earn Your MO Certification

Through our certification program, we've laid out a clear path for you to secure certification recommendations from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Advance Your Career

Prepare to be agent of change, setting the tone and guiding the direction of their classrooms, departments, schools and districts.

ConnectUP! Program FAQs

At Columbia College, we wholeheartedly believe in the power of an engaging student teaching experience to pave the way for enduring success in the teaching profession. Through ConnectUP! we're dedicated to supporting students by assisting with the costs of school during their student teaching journey, enabling them to immerse themselves fully in the experience. These scholarships aim to provide the financial freedom for students to receive essential mentorship, crucial for their initial success in the classroom, without the need to juggle full-time provisional teaching positions.

The scholarship amounts will be tailored to individual student needs, ensuring a personalized and empowering path to success.

No, there is no application. The ConnectUP! Scholarship recipients will be identified internally.

Yes, if you would like to nominate a student teacher, please email success@ccis.edu.

To apply for the ConnectUP! Tech Package, submit the application alongside your admission application and FAFSA.

Around 25 students will be selected through a simple application process, each contributing to meeting high-demand teaching needs in targeted areas.

If you're a Missouri resident pursuing teacher certification at Columbia College, you could qualify for essential tools for success, such as a free laptop and financial assistance for internet service, as an award to amplify your impact in the Columbia College Education program.

The program will help recently graduated teachers in their first, or second, year of teaching by providing funding for the in-class materials new teachers need to feel comfortable and be successful in the classroom.

Up to 15 teachers from recent graduating classes will be internally identified for the awards, providing funding for classroom materials in their first or second year of teaching.

Yes, if you would like to nominate a recent graduate for the Wishlist Program, please email admissions@ccis.edu.


By submitting this form, you expressly consent to Columbia College contacting you via email, phone, or text, including automated technology for calls and texts to the provided wireless number. Message and data rates may apply. Your consent is not necessary for purchasing goods or services.

because a future built by you is a future built for you.

Too many people have been made to feel that higher education isn’t a place for them— that it is someone else’s dream. But we change all that. With individualized attention and ongoing support, we help you write a new story for the future where you play the starring role.