Pursuant to 5 CSR 20-400.440, the Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators detail the specific responsibilities of all entities granted the authority to recommend candidates for educator certification in the state of Missouri or who are seeking the authority to do the same. 

The performance assessments listed on this page were developed in a collaborative effort between DESE and Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) in an effort to assess candidate ability to apply knowledge in authentic educational environments. These instruments are regularly reviewed to identify ways in which they might be improved, and data generated by them are evaluated to increase consistency between raters.

Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP)

The Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation (MABEP) works with the State Board of Education and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to strengthen teacher preparation in Missouri. By encouraging open communication and strong partnerships among educators, schools, and communities, MABEP helps ensure future teachers are well-prepared to support student success.

The Department has developed a process for implementing changes to a certification program. The changes may include revising an existing certification program, adding a new certification program or dropping a certification program. Listed below are some documents to help Educator Preparation Programs with this process.

Program Add/Remove Form

Annual Performance Report

The Missouri Standards for the Preparation of Educators (MoSPE) outline the expectations for Educator Preparation Providers (EPP) in Missouri. In order to ensure that EPPs are meeting these expectations, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) established the Annual Performance Report for Educator Preparation Programs (APR-EPP). The APR-EPP is based on the approved Missouri standards for educators and is the primary basis for DESE's annual recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding the continued accreditations of EPPs.

The Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) below offer teacher certification programs designed for individuals who have already earned an undergraduate degree.  Contact any of these institutions for specific information regarding post baccalaureate preparation in Missouri.

Missouri Educator Preparation Programs with Approved Post Baccalaureate Certification Programs

2025 EPP Accreditation

February 11, 2025- Based upon data included in the Annual Performance Reports for Educator Preparation Providers (APR-EPP), the State Board of Education voted to accredit all 42 Missouri Educator Preparation Providers for the 2025-26 school year. A publicly available dashboard of the APR-EPP can be found on the DESE Annual Performance Report Webpage.  

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education