Admission and Program Requirements

Recommended: Pass the MoCA exam and background check

Although the following are not admission requirements, it is strongly advised to complete these steps as soon as possible.

Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) exam

The Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) are content area exams taken by all candidates who pursue a teaching certificate in Missouri.

You must pass the MoCA(s) for certification. Passing the MoCA shows your competency in the content area.

• When you pass the MoCA(s), you no longer need to complete any remaining course work deficiencies in your content area unless required by the department. Passing the MoCA classifies you as “alternative” as defined by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
• As an alternative student, your applications for teaching positions in the secondary education (9-12 or K-12) grade levels can be submitted to school(s). To meet certification requirements, the teaching position must be in the content area and grade level for which you’re seeking certification.

You can teach while pursuing certification by applying to DESE for a provisional certificate. You can submit this application after you sign your teaching job contract.

FBI background checks

You must also pass two FBI background checks – one for Missouri State University and one for DESE.

1. Missouri State University requires a current MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting national background check before you complete your first Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) course.
   1. You must complete the MOVECHS waiver agreement before you register for MOVECHS FBI fingerprinting.
2. At the time of certification, DESE requires a DESE FBI fingerprinting background check.

Register for background checks