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. 

Missouri Performance Assessments

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) advises the State Board of Education and the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and foster meaningful and substantial collaboration and transparency among all stakeholders in the interest of improving the quality of teacher preparation in Missouri.

Please contact a member of MABEP by clicking this hyperlink "MABEP Members" with any questions or comments you may have.

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

EPP Accreditation

The Missouri State Board of Education voted to accredit all 42 Missouri Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) for the 2024-25 Academic Year. The State Board’s decision is recognition of the commitment that faculty and staff in those institutions have to the children of Missouri. DESE’s recommendation that all EPPs be accredited was based upon data generated by the Annual Performance Reports for Educator Preparation Programs (APR-EPP).

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education