Admission and Program Requirements

Apply on GradCAS

Apply to this program through a centralized application service: GradCAS. Review the sections below before you begin.

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Recommended: Pass the State-required content assessment and background check

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

State-required content assessment (Praxis)

The State-required content assessments (Praxis) are content area exams taken by all candidates who pursue a teaching certificate in Missouri.

You must pass the State-required content assessment for certification. Passing the State-required content assessment shows your competency in the content area.

  • When you pass the State-required content assessment, you no longer need to complete any remaining course work deficiencies in your content area unless required by the department. Passing the State-required content assessment 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

*Please note: As of spring 2025, if you have a completed MOVECHS background check and are not enrolled in courses for one or more semesters, you will need to redo your MOVECHS background check when you return. 

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