Initial Teacher Certification
Program Highlights & Benefits
Flexible, online format
Flexible schedule
Alternative Certification Available
Become a Certified Teacher (various areas of concentration available)
Avila offers a graduate-level teacher certification program that bridges into the Master of Arts in Education program. This option is for those who may be considering a career change or received a bachelor’s degree in an area outside of education.
Alternative Certification- Students only take the Professional Education courses required by the state. The Alternative Certification route only applies to the certification areas that have specific content, or subject areas. This includes all certification areas at the Middle School and Secondary levels, as well as all K-12 certifications in a specific content area. It does not apply to the Elementary or Special Education certification options.
What You Learn
Students experience the real classroom right from the beginning of the program. Our teacher certification courses provide a multitude of opportunities for candidates to work with mentors in area classrooms. Students who successfully complete our teacher preparation programs go on to teach in public or accredited private schools in grades K-12.
*Assessment-Conceptual Framework goals/outcomes and Missouri Teacher Standards and Quality Indicators are assessed through:
Advancement processes for Teacher Candidacy and Final Clinical Experience. Performance on course class assignments, and signature assessments, as indicated on the course syllabi. Performance on state certification exams, and performance evaluations in field-based and clinical courses.
How You Learn
Courses are all online asynchronous format. There are no weekly class meetings required, instead, you will login to the online course room to complete assignments, participate in discussion topics, and other online activities designed by your professor. There will be a synchronous component for courses that require a field experience. You will finish one 3-9 credit hour course every 8 weeks. (1-3 courses, depending on certification area and start term)
Career Outcomes
The candidate will use theoretical knowledge, research, and culturally responsive practices to create a positive learning environment that promotes the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students. The candidate will apply principles, theories, and methods of effective curriculum design, instruction, and assessment to promote learning, critical thinking skills, and social responsibilities of all student populations. The candidate models professionalism through effective internal and external communication, self-reflection and professional growth, and productive and effective collaboration with students, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements (34 Credit Hours):
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 515 | General Methods and Differentiated Learning | 3 |
ED 519 | Managing the Learning Environment | 3 |
ED 520 | Technology in Education | 3 |
ED 529 | Developmental and Educational Psychology | 3 |
ED 535 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
ED 585 | Practicum | 3 |
ED 587 | Multicultural Foundations of Education | 3 |
ED 594 | Final Clinical Experience Seminar | 2 |
ED 595 | Final Clinical Experience (10) or ED596: Internship | 10 |
ED 599 | Educational Capstone | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: | 34 |
Elementary Teacher Certification (30 Credits):
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 506 | Creative Activities and Physical Movement | 3 |
ED 507 | Geometry for Elementary & Middle School Teachers | 3 |
ED 508 | Math Methods for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
ED 530 | Children’s Literature | 3 |
ED 537 | Elementary Social Studies | 3 |
ED 540 | Elementary Science Methods | 2 |
ED 541 | Foundations of Literacy and Language Development | 3 |
ED 543 | Language Arts Methods | 3 |
ED 570 | Assessment & Remediation of Reading Problems | 3 |
ED 581 | Health & Safety Issues in a School Setting | 1 |
ED 586 | Advanced Elementary Practicum | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Middle School Certification (12 Credits):
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 518 | Creative Activities and Physical Movement | 3 |
ED 554 | Advanced Special Methods | 3 – 4 |
ED 575 | Reading Strategies & Interventions in the Content Areas I | 3 |
ED 576 | Reading Strategies & Interventions in the Content Areas II | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Secondary Teacher Certification (9 Credits)
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 518 | Advanced Special Methods | 3 – 4 |
ED 575 | Reading Strategies & Interventions in the Content Areas I | 3 |
ED 576 | Reading Strategies & Interventions in the Content Areas II | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
K-12 Initial Teacher Certification (7 Credit Hours):
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 518 | Advanced Special Methods | 4 |
ED 575 | Reading Strategies & Interventions in the Content Areas I | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Special Education-Cross Categorical Teacher Certification (47 Credits):
Course | Title | Hours |
ED 506 | Creative Activities and Physical Movement | 3 |
ED 507 | Geometry for Elementary & Middle School Teachers | 3 |
ED 508 | Math Methods for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
ED 530 | Children’s Literature | 3 |
ED 537 | Elementary Social Studies | 3 |
ED 540 | Elementary Science Methods | 2 |
ED 541 | Foundations of Literacy and Language Development | 3 |
ED 543 | Language Arts Methods | 3 |
ED 553 | Analysis & Characteristics: Cross Categorical | 4 |
ED 558 | Methods & Curriculum : Cross Categorical | 4 |
ED 561 | Language & Acquisition & Development | 3 |
ED 563 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
ED 564 | Consultation, Collaboration & Family Engagement : Special Education | 1 |
ED 567 | Transition/Career Education | 2 |
ED 570 | Assessment & Remediation of Reading Problems | 3 |
ED 581 | Health & Safety Issues in a School Setting | 1 |
ED 586 | Advanced Elementary Practicum | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: | 47 |
Note:
Students may transfer in up to 9 credit hours to fulfill elective hour requirements.
Students who complete the Graduate Initial Teacher Certification program at Avila University can transfer in 15 hours from that program to fulfill all elective hour requirements in the MAEd in Curriculum & Instruction program.