2025-2026 Academic Catalog 
    
    Aug 03, 2025  
2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Education, B.A. - Elementary (Grades 1-6) with Bridge to M.A. in Special Reading


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Degree Planning Sheet

To print the degree requirements for this program, use the paper icon above (Print Degree Planner), the printer icon (Printer Friendly Page), or the following hyperlink:

Degree Planning Sheet with Full-Time Sample Course Plan  

This sample plan represents a full-time pace. Part-time options are available; please connect with the recruitment team to learn more.

 

This program prepares candidates to teach at the elementary level, (grades 1-6) . Additional coursework and experiences providing a strong emphasis on literacy devleopment and addressing the needs of struggling readers is a cornerstone of this program, enhancing teacher effectiveness in the elementary classroom. During the senior year, candidates take some master’s level coursework focusing on literacy development, content reading, diagnosis of and strategies for impacting children’s reading problems. This coursework provides an accelerated pathway to completion of a master’s degree and fulfillment of requirements in the State of Missouri for certification in special reading.

 

Disclaimer: The program requirements outlined in this catalog are applicable only to students who enroll in this degree program at the university during the academic year specified in this catalog.  Please be aware that program requirements and offerings are subject to change in future academic years. Dual-enrolled students are not admitted to a degree program, but upon admission to a degree program, they will follow the degree requirements that align with their start term.

Practicum Experiences


(26 credits)

Education majors spend a considerable amount of time in schools gaining firsthand classroom experience with students. Beginning in the sophomore year, all education students are required to complete a practicum experience each semester, with increasingly rigorous expectations regarding student interactions, lesson planning and delivery, and collaboration with professional educators in the field. These experiences build upon one another to provide teacher candidates with exposure to students from multiple grade levels in diverse schools and districts, as well as to a wide variety of teaching/learning opportunities in real-world settings. These practicum experiences culminate in student teaching experience in the final semester of the initial teacher preparation program. Candidates seeking the Master’s degree in Special Reading complete an additional 6 hours of clinical experience at the graduate level. These clinical experiences focus on working with struggling readers. One of these experiences is done at the elementary level and another is done at the secondary level.

Reading and Literacy Specialization Coursework


(27 credits)

The following courses are needed to meet the requirements for Special Reading certification in the State of Missouri. All of these courses are graduate level courses. Some of these courses may be taken during the senior year to accelerate the path to completion of the Master’s degree and Special Reading Certification.  Candidate should note that a minimum of two years teaching experience is also required to be eligible for the Special Reading Certification in the State of MIssouri.

Graduation Requirements


School of Education and Missouri Licensing Requirements

  • MoGEA with a passing score (220 or higher on all subsections)
  • MoCA with a passing score (220 or higher on all subsections)
  • 3.0 or higher professional GPA (includes content area and education coursework)
  • 2.75 Cumulative GPA (Please note: calculated from ALL college coursework, not just Maryville credits)

Maryville University Policies

  • 120 credit hours minimum (last 30 hours in residency)
  • A minimum of half the major credit hours in residency
  • A minimum of half the minor credit hours in residency
  • 60 credit hours must be completed at a 4-year institution

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