Teaching, B.A. (Online)

The Teaching, B.A. online option provides flexibility for students who are currently working in schools as paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes or other classroom support roles who can apply their learning to their day-to-day work in schools.

Students will have the support of a tight-knit community of faculty and peers committed to innovative learning, diversity and the Jesuit tradition's intellectual ideas. This program focuses on equity guided by inquiry for the purpose of advocacy.

The online delivery and accelerated design allow students to complete coursework with structured supports, like instructional coaches to assist students in applying their learning in their daily activities.  

Other program highlights include:

  • Students engage in online coursework and have the support of instructional coaches who help translate course learning to the daily practices in schools.
  • Students are prepared to practice cura personalis, care for the whole person, and work for social justice in their communities.
  • Students will graduate prepared to bring innovative strategies into their classrooms, build strong classroom communities and have high expectations for all students while advocating for social change.

Curriculum Overview

SLU’s B.A. in teaching consists of a minimum of 60 credits (depending on the certification area) including the Undergraduate Core and education coursework.

Students choose from two different concentrations within the teaching major:

Elementary Education (Grades 1 to 6)

The elementary education program of study prepares reflective practitioners to become teachers in diverse elementary classrooms focusing on social justice and equity. Throughout your time in the elementary education in teaching program, you will build a solid foundation in education, engage with current ideas in education and develop leadership qualities including risk-taking, civic responsibility and ethical character. Graduates leave the program highly qualified and well-prepared to be reflective, ethical and responsive teachers who are committed to making the world more equitable and just through their work in schools, with families/caregivers, and in the communities they serve.

Dual Certification in Elementary Education and Special Education

Students who elect the dual certification track will complete coursework in both elementary education and special education. This track requires a minimum of 75 credit hours.

The special education program of study prepares you to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities across various school settings. Coursework and extensive field experience equip you with the most impactful and effective skills for leading inclusive classrooms and collaborating with professionals in the field and the community. The program’s strengths-based/assets-based approach to teaching focuses on preparing highly competent, reflective professionals who understand the strengths and potential of every child in every family and advocate for quality, accessible education for all.

Careers

As a graduate of this program, you will leave with the tools and skills needed to create safe and inclusive learning environments for all students and be prepared to serve in roles such as:

  • Special education teacher
  • Resource program teaching
  • Intervention specialist
  • Learning disabilities special education teacher
  • Inclusion special education teacher

A degree in education offers a wide range of career opportunities. While most graduates pursue a career in teaching, some choose to continue their studies in graduate programs while in the workforce.

  • Public or private schools
  • Other teaching venues, such as
    • Alternative schools
    • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
    • Education centers (museums, zoos)
    • Non-profit organizations

Job placement rates are high for graduates who have a degree in education. You can find immediate work when you graduate. Salaries can vary depending on where you live.

Fieldwork

All students will engage in fieldwork within their school of employment. Fieldwork takes place in the fall and spring terms to coincide with school sessions.

Admission Requirements

Students admitted into this program must meet the following requirements:

  1. Have an associate’s degree (we anticipate applicants will not hold an applied sciences associate which would require additional coursework);
  2. Agree to take the MOGEA (if taken prior to July 2024) or the ETS Praxis (July 2024 or later) during the first year of the program or have an ACT score of 21; (the MoGEA will change in year two to a nationally normed ETS Praxis), and
  3. Provide a letter of sponsorship from their current school system employer.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Teaching, B.A. (Online) $333

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students entering into the program starting Summer 2024 will be eligible for full tuition scholarship. 

  • The learner and learning: The teacher has high expectations for each and every learner and implements developmentally appropriate, challenging learning experiences within a variety of learning environments that help all learners meet high standards and reach their full potential.

  • Content: The teacher has a deep and flexible understanding of their content areas and is able to draw upon content knowledge as they work with learners to access information, apply knowledge in real-world settings and address meaningful issues to assure learner mastery of the content.  

  • Instructional practice: Teachers understand and integrate assessment, planning, and instructional strategies in coordinated and engaging ways.

  • Professional responsibility: Teachers demonstrate leadership by modeling ethical behavior, contributing to positive changes in practice and advancing their profession.

Undergraduate University Core32-35
Elementary Education Certification Requirements
EDUC 1004Internalizing Curriculum I1
EDUC 1104Internalizing Curriculum2
EDUC 1204Classroom and Community3
EDUC 1304Instructional Delivery3
EDUC 1404Partnerships with Learners and Caregivers3
EDUC 1504Inclusive Practices for Learner Support3
EDUC 1604Assessment for Learning and Evaluation3
EDUC 2004Foundations for Supporting Exceptional and Bilingual Emergent Learners3
EDUC 2104Instructional Design for Flourishing Learners3
EDUC 2204Equity and Asset-based Pedagogy3
EDUC 2304Foundations of Language and Literacy3
EDUC 2404Childhood Development and Learning3
EDUC 2504Historical and Systemic Issues in Education3
EDUC 3004Practicum and ELA Methods3
EDUC 3104Practicum and Math Methods3
EDUC 3204Practicum and Science, Social Studies, and Technology Methods3
EDUC 4104Student Teaching and Advanced ELA Methods3
EDUC 4204Student Teaching and Advanced Math Methods3
EDUC 4304Student Teaching and Advanced Science Methods3
EDUC 4404Student Teaching and Advanced Social Studies Methods3
Elementary and Special Education Certification Requirements
Students interested in earning the Certification in Elementary and Special Education must earn all above credits plus the below:
EDUC 3404Process of Special Education2
EDUC 3504Educational Foundations and Characteristics of Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 3604Methods of Teaching Exceptional Learners3
EDUC 3704Professionalism and Collaboration for Educators Working with Exceptional Learners2
EDUC 4804Student Teaching and Advanced Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner3
General Electives18
Total Credits120

Continuation Standards

To remain in the Teacher Certification program students must maintain a 2.75 or better cumulative GPA (in all courses, not just education courses) as well as a 3.0 GPA in their content area. 

A student must receive a minimum grade of “C” in each professional education course required for certification by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. A “C-” is not acceptable. If a grade below a “C” (C-, D, or F) is received, the student will be placed on program probation or academic probation. Probation will be lifted when a student has received a “C” grade (or higher) for the course, provided the course in question has not been repeated more than one time. If the course in which the student did not receive a passing score is a prerequisite to a future course the student may not enroll in the future course until the prerequisite course has been completed and passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Non-Course Requirements

Missouri General Education Assessment (MOGEA) or ETS Praxis

The Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) measures student's current knowledge in the following 5 areas: English, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students must earn a passing score on all 5 sub-tests. Beginning July 2024, the requirement will shift to successful completion of the ETS Praxis. Passing Scores Established by Educator Preparation Programs

ETS Praxis Completed at the End of the Program (Elementary or Elementary plus Special Education depending upon certification area selected by the student).

Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES)

The Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) is a performance-based assessment. The purpose of the MEES is to assess the instructional capability of teacher candidates before licensure. This evaluation is required for teacher certification. Teacher candidates must have a minimum combined summative score (from a University Supervisor and Cooperating Teacher) of a minimum combined summative score of 42 points (with no zero scores), as well as artifacts (via products or performance) illustrating teacher candidates’ knowledge.

Employment in good standing in a school or school district during program enrollment

This program is designed to be a paid teacher apprenticeship program in partnership with employing schools and/or districts. Candidates must be able to provide instruction to students on an ongoing basis to complete the requirements of the program. 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

The following roadmaps are assuming students come in with a completed associate's degree or ~60 credits of transfer coursework. Students will need to fulfill all Undergraduate Core requirements at SLU or through transfer coursework. 

Elementary Education Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
SummerCredits
Summer 1  
EDUC 1004 Internalizing Curriculum I 1
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
Summer 2  
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
CORE 1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 2-3
 Credits7-8
Fall
Fall 1  
EDUC 1204 Classroom and Community 3
EDUC 2404 Childhood Development and Learning 3
Fall 2  
EDUC 2004 Foundations for Supporting Exceptional and Bilingual Emergent Learners 3
EDUC 1304 Instructional Delivery 3
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
EDUC 1404 Partnerships with Learners and Caregivers 3
EDUC 1504 Inclusive Practices for Learner Support 3
Spring 2  
EDUC 1604 Assessment for Learning and Evaluation 3
EDUC 2304 Foundations of Language and Literacy 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
Summer 1  
EDUC 2504 Historical and Systemic Issues in Education 3
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
Summer 2  
EDUC 2204 Equity and Asset-based Pedagogy 3
UUC Course or Elective 3
 Credits12
Fall
Fall 1  
EDUC 2104 Instructional Design for Flourishing Learners 3
EDUC 1104 Internalizing Curriculum 2
EDUC 3004 Practicum and ELA Methods 3
Fall 2  
EDUC 3204 Practicum and Science, Social Studies, and Technology Methods 3
EDUC 3104 Practicum and Math Methods 3
 Credits14
Spring
Spring 1  
EDUC 4104 Student Teaching and Advanced ELA Methods 3
EDUC 4204 Student Teaching and Advanced Math Methods 3
Spring 2  
EDUC 4304 Student Teaching and Advanced Science Methods 3
EDUC 4404 Student Teaching and Advanced Social Studies Methods 3
 Credits12
Year Three
Summer
UUC Course or Electives (as needed) 0-6
 Credits0-6
 Total Credits69-76

Elementary Education and Special Education Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
SummerCredits
Summer 1  
EDUC 1004 Internalizing Curriculum I 1
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
Summer 2  
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
CORE 1000 Ignite First Year Seminar 2-3
 Credits7-8
Fall
Fall 1  
EDUC 1204 Classroom and Community 3
EDUC 2404 Childhood Development and Learning 3
Fall 2  
EDUC 2004 Foundations for Supporting Exceptional and Bilingual Emergent Learners 3
EDUC 1304 Instructional Delivery 3
 Credits12
Spring
Spring 1  
EDUC 1404 Partnerships with Learners and Caregivers 3
EDUC 1504 Inclusive Practices for Learner Support 3
Spring 2  
EDUC 1604 Assessment for Learning and Evaluation 3
EDUC 2304 Foundations of Language and Literacy 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Summer
Summer 1  
EDUC 2504 Historical and Systemic Issues in Education 3
EDUC 3604 Methods of Teaching Exceptional Learners 3
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
Summer 2  
EDUC 2204 Equity and Asset-based Pedagogy 3
EDUC 3504 Educational Foundations and Characteristics of Exceptional Learners 3
 Credits15
Fall
Fall 1  
EDUC 2104 Instructional Design for Flourishing Learners 3
EDUC 1104 Internalizing Curriculum 2
EDUC 3004 Practicum and ELA Methods 3
Fall 2  
EDUC 3204 Practicum and Science, Social Studies, and Technology Methods 3
EDUC 3104 Practicum and Math Methods 3
EDUC 3404 Process of Special Education 2
EDUC 3704 Professionalism and Collaboration for Educators Working with Exceptional Learners 2
 Credits18
Spring
Spring 1  
EDUC 4104 Student Teaching and Advanced ELA Methods 3
EDUC 4204 Student Teaching and Advanced Math Methods 3
Spring 2  
EDUC 4304 Student Teaching and Advanced Science Methods 3
EDUC 4404 Student Teaching and Advanced Social Studies Methods 3
EDUC 4804 Student Teaching and Advanced Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits79-80

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu