POST-BACCALAUREATE TEACHER
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is designed for those with a baccalaureate degree who desire secondary (9-12) or middle school (5-9) teacher certification without seeking another degree. Secondary and middle school can be done together if all requirements for both programs are met including two student teaching experiences. Course work may be completed on a part-time basis through University College (the evening division of the College of Arts and Sciences), which offers substantially lower tuition than the day school. Course work is taken for undergraduate credit. This program leads to teacher certification only; no degree is granted through this program.

Requirements for elementary certification are mandated by the State of Missouri and can be found on the state Department of Education web site.

Subject Area Requirements

To achieve certification through this program students will need to fulfill State requirements in two areas: the teaching subject area and professional education.

Washington University offers post-baccalaureate secondary teacher certification programs in the following areas: Art, Classics (Latin), English, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (K-12) (French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Russian), Unified Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics), and Social Studies (usually History or Political Science major). Art and foreign languages are K-12 certifications; all other areas are for grades 9-12. Middle school (5-9) teacher certification can be done in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or English. This program assumes that entering students already have a major or the equivalent of a major in the subject area they wish to teach. Nevertheless students should expect to take some subject area course work to meet Missouri requirements.

If you would like information about a specific subject area major please consult a Department of Education advisor about subject area requirements for teacher certification in specific fields.

Professional Education

Washington University's teacher preparation programs provide the professional education that qualifies a student for certification to teach in the public schools. On the recommendation of the Department of Education, the Missouri State Department of Education will issue a teaching certificate to an individual who successfully completes a Washington University teacher preparation program.

Admission is based upon a strong undergraduate record or significant experience which suggests future success in the teaching field. Applicants must hold a bachelor's or higher degree with an overall GPA of 2.8 and a minimum of 3.0 in the subject area to be taught. Prospective students must submit:

Once an applicant has submitted the necessary documentation the Pre-Service admissions committee will meet and subsequently notify the applicant of their decision.

For more information or an application packet, email the Department of Education.