School of Education

Department

• Teacher Education

Thomas Cornell, interim dean 

School of Education website (external to catalog)

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Vision

We empower students to become effective, innovative, and empathetic educators and practitioners. 

Mission

The School of Education is a supportive and inclusive community of educator-scholars who are committed to providing our students with transformative experiences that impact life-long learning.

Dispositions and Professional Behaviors

Programs in the School of Education cultivate and assess dispositions and professional behaviors related to candidates' academic engagement and integrity; fairness and respect toward others; commitment to high expectations and support for all learners; and demonstrated professional communication and behavior.

For more information about the School of Education's assessment of dispositions and professional behaviors please refer to our website at webster.edu/education.

Assessment Policy of School of Education

Demonstration of Missouri Teacher Standards Through Quality Indicators

The Department of Teacher Education (DTE) Passport is an integral element in the assessment system for initial teacher certification programs. The system is designed to foster the development of knowledge, skills, and dispositions for pre-service teacher candidates in the digital age.

The assessment system is aligned with the Missouri Teacher Standards, which "convey the expectations of performance for professional teachers in Missouri."

In order to complete the digital passports, candidates are enrolled in an online learning portal entitled Education Passport 1 and Education Passport 2.

Using a self-directed approach, pre-service teachers upload artifacts and reflections in the digital passports. Each passport is assessed by a team of faculty who assign a passing or failing grade to the passport based on the successful submission of artifacts and appropriate supplementary activities. Where appropriate, candidates may be asked to revise and resubmit artifacts or reflections.

Successful completion of each part of the passport allows the candidate to move through the phases of the program.

Department of Teacher Education

Basiyr Rodney, chair

Majors and Degrees

• Education (BA) with Certification in the following areas:
  • Art (Grades K-12)
  • Elementary Education with a Content Specialization or Minor (Grades 1-6)
  • Elementary Education with Special Education (Grades 1-6)
  • Middle School (Grades 5-9) with a focus in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
  • Secondary Biology (Grades 9-12)
  • Secondary English (Grades 9-12)
  • Secondary Mathematics (Grades 9-12)
  • Secondary Social Science (Grades 9-12)
  • Special Education with Elementary Content (Mild/Moderate/Cross-Categorical) (Grades 1-6)
  • World Languages (French, German, or Spanish) (Grades K-12)
  • Combined Degree: BA in Education with an Emphasis in Elementary (Grades 1-6)/MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
  • Combined Degree: BA in Education with an Emphasis in Secondary English (Grades 9-12)/MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
  • Combined Degree: BA in Education with an Emphasis in World Languages (Grades 1-6)/MA in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)

• Educational Studies (BA)

Minors

• Education
• Sustainability Studies

Certificates

• Entrepreneurship (Education majors track)
  (In cooperation with the Walker School of Business & Technology)
• Global Education

Special Study Opportunities

Within the School of Education students may pursue special study opportunities which may include experiences in varied educational settings at Webster University's international campuses, conferences, study tours, Student Literacy Corps, and other service learning opportunities and field experiences in inclusive schools, all of which prepare students for teaching in an increasingly diverse society.

Admission to the Major

Students may be fully admitted to the major when the following criteria have been met:

• A grade of B or better in EDUC 2800 Foundations in Education.
• A grade of B or better in EDUC 2000 Beginning Practicum in Education.
• Completed Candidate Responsibility Form.
• A departmental GPA of 3.0, based on all EDUC courses taken.

Teacher Certification

Students declaring Education as a degree major will pursue initial teacher certification as part of their degree. A Program of Study (POS) is designed to meet the Global Citizenship Program requirements, degree requirements, and certification requirements of both the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Webster University. See the criteria listed below for a more detailed explanation of the requirements needed for entry into the Teacher Certification Program.

Admission to Teacher Certification

Occurs concurrently with Admission to the Major and additionally requires:

• Successful completion of all sections of the MoGEA exam or ACT score of 20 or better.
• Written Program of Study (POS) outlining the degree and program requirements.
• Completion of a college Composition course with a grade of B- or better.
• Completion of a college Mathematics course with a grade of B- or better. 
• Completion of EDUC 2800 Foundations in Education with a grade of B or better.
• Completion of EDUC 2000 Beginning Practicum in Education with a grade of B or better.
• Passport 1 competencies met.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in college-level coursework, professional GPA of 3.0, and Content GPA (if applicable) of 3.0.

Note: Grades of C- or above are eligible for Certification requirements.

Students who have transferred in all of these course requirements should apply for entrance to the Teacher Certification program when they first meet with an academic advisor in the department.

General Information

• Candidates must be admitted to teacher certification in order to take specified EDUC methods courses. Transfer students must complete the MoGEA Exam during the first semester following transfer to Webster or have an ACT score of 20 or better.
• Candidates must maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in the education major and in the content area as well as a GPA of 2.75 in all college-level coursework.
• 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 website.

Teacher Certification

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 Global Citizenship Requirements of Webster University.

Teacher Certification Programs

• Art (Grades K-12)
• Early Childhood/Elementary (Birth-Grade 6)
• Elementary (Grades 1-6)
• Middle School (Grades 5-9) with a focus in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
• Secondary Biology (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary English (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (Grades 9-12)
• Secondary Social Science (Grades 9-12)
• Special Education (Mild/Moderate/Cross-Categorical) (Grades K-12)
• World Languages (French, German, or Spanish) (Grades K-12)

Candidates seeking Secondary Education certification are encouraged to choose a second major in their content area. Advisors from the content area work closely with the School of Education to assure candidates meet the requirements of both their majors and teacher certification.

Practicum/Apprentice Teaching

A 3000-level or higher practicum is required as a prerequisite to apprentice teaching. To enroll in a practicum, students must apply by September 15 for a Spring placement and by February 15 for a Fall placement. Candidates must meet with the Coordinator of Field Placement prior to applying for practicum. 

Apprentice teaching is a requirement for all initial certifications. Students must apply by September 15 for a Spring placement and by February 15 for a Fall placement. Apprentice Teaching placements will be made in the St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County School Districts along with private and independent schools. 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.

Note: The application for practicum and apprentice teaching will not be accepted if the student has not been formally accepted to teacher certification status.

Application for Certification

All students seeking Teacher Certification must achieve the Missouri minimum score on the State Required Content Area Exam, which is administered at least six times a year. Information on this test may be obtained online at www.mo.nesinc.com or in the Office of Teacher Certification. Students must have a passing score on the appropriate State Required Content Area Exam prior to the start of the Apprentice Teaching orientation.

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence 

The Beatrice and David Kornblum Institute for Teaching Excellence is an integral part of Webster University's School of Education. The Institute's mission is to support innovative education, program development, community service, and improved teaching and learning with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged minority, immigrant, and/or disabled (at risk) public school children from the urban setting.

Kornblum Scholar Program

The Institute makes scholarships available to candidates working with or aspiring to work with students from low-income districts having diverse populations. Funding is limited so early application is encouraged. For more information about the scholar program, see the Kornblum Scholarship Fund Application, available on the School of Education's website at webster.edu/education.