The Online Elementary Education Program is specifically designed for education professionals seeking a path to elementary education teacher certification (grades 1-6). All coursework in the Program is offered online and a new cohort begins every fall semester.
Program Quality
The Online Elementary Education Program is taught by MSSU Teacher Education faculty who have several years of experience in K-12 education. Faculty also have experience delivering quality online education. All MSSU Teacher Education programs are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Earning the Degree: Required Courses
To earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Education (BSE), students must complete at least 120 credit hours. These hours are comprised of general education courses, supporting requirements, and professional education courses. An advisor will review transcripts and work with each student to develop a plan of study. The following courses are supporting requirements of the MSSU Teacher Education program and can be taken prior to admission to the Teacher Education program (Junior Block). Courses with a * have a required clinical observation component.
*EDUC 280-Foundations of Education in a Global Society (must be taken before admission to Teacher Education)-3 credit hours
EDUC 302-Exceptional Child-3 credit hours
ENG 325-Children’s Literature-3 credit hours
PSY 310-Educational Psychology-3 credit hours
EDUC 499-Pre-Junior Block Seminar-1 credit hour
The following courses are professional education requirements of the Online Elementary Education Program. Courses with a * have a required clinical observation component. To be accepted to Junior Block, students must have earned at least 60 credit hours, have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better, and have an ACT composite/super score of at least 20 or have passed the MOGEA. Information on taking the ACT or MoGEA can be found at https://www.mssu.edu/student-affairs/advising-counseling-testing-services/testing-introduction.php
First Fall (Junior Block)-12 hours
*EDUC 329-Pedagogy-4 credit hours
EDUC 321-Microteaching-1 credit hour
*EDUC 423-Classroom Management-3 credit hours
Math 120-Math for Elementary Educators II-3 hours
EDUC 499-Seminar-1 credit hour
First Spring-15 hours
EDUC 340-Language Arts-2 hours
*EDUC 342-Developmental Reading-3 hours
EDUC 311-Science Methods-3 hours
EDUC 322-Social Science Methods-3 hours
EDUC 312-Math Methods-3 hours
EDUC 499-Seminar-1 credit hour
Summer—Supporting Requirements
Second Fall - 13 hours
EDUC 343-Content Area Literacy-1 credit hour
EDUC 470-Reading Assessment-3 credit hours
*EDUC 415-Integrated Methods Practicum-3 credit hours
Integrated Music/Art/PE
EDUC 435-Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Instructional Practices-3 credit hours
Second Spring-12 hours
EDUC 432-Critical Issues—2 credit hours
*EDUC 442-Student Teaching-Elementary—10 credit hours
Clinical Observations and Experiences
Clinical observations and experiences are required throughout the program. The Teacher Education department will work with each student and their employing school district to maximize opportunities for clinical experiences. During the last semester, students participate in a full-semester student teaching experience in a classroom in their certification area. In this experience, students will assume full responsibility for a classroom under the mentorship of a Cooperating Teacher (assigned by the school) and a University Supervisor (assigned by the Teacher Education program).
Applying to the Online Elementary Education Program
Students interested in the Online Elementary Education program should complete the following steps:
Step 1-Send an email to either Dr. Jeri Goswick (Goswick-j@mssu.edu) or Jeni Vieselmeyer (vieselmeyer-j@mssu.edu) indicating your interest in the Program. Attach any unofficial transcripts.
Step 2: Meet with either Dr. Goswick or Mrs. Vieselmeyer to review a plan of study and plan for clinical observations and experiences (including student teaching).
Step 3: Apply to the University at https://admissions.mssu.edu/. Send official copies of any transcripts.
Step 4: Enroll in courses. Students are required to enroll in EDUC 499 the summer before entering the Teacher Education program.