Education
Get classroom experience beginning your first semester.
An education degree from Stephens College helps you develop your teaching skills in real classrooms at our Children’s Laboratory School—a preschool and K-5 elementary located right here on campus! In addition, we offer Middle and Secondary degree options.
Program FEatures
- Start earning classroom experience from day one at The Children’s School at Stephens College, our on-campus laboratory school for pre-K through fifth-grade students.
- Work in real classroom settings alongside full-time teachers with master’s or doctoral education degrees.
- Gain experience with adapting to various learning needs by working in our multi-age lab school.
- Prepare and deliver your own lesson plans throughout the program.
- Become certified to teach at the early childhood (including kindergarten), elementary, and secondary levels.
What Sets Us Apart
Stephens is a long-time leader in arts and sciences curricular integration. In fact, we were named a national College of Distinction for our Education program’s curriculum and student-centered approach. Our on-campus lab school means you get real teaching experience early and often.
Missouri Teaching Profession Program
This accelerated, individualized teacher certification program is designed for full-time employees who want to be certified in Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education, Secondary Biology, Secondary English/Language Arts, Middle School Science, or Middle School English Language Arts.
Transfer-Friendly
We welcome transfer students and provide resources and advising to ensure a smooth transition. Talk to us today to explore your options.
- If you have already earned about 18 hours of transfer, dual enrollment, or AP credit, you can take advantage of our accelerated three-year, six-semester degree option.
- Small cohorts allow the education faculty to get to know you individually and tailor training to your specific needs.
Education Degree Options
Degree Programs available through the Women’s College
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Middle School English Language Arts (5-9)
- Middle School Science (5-9)
- Secondary Biology (9-12)
- Secondary English (9-12)
Continuing Studies Programs for employees in approved school districts
- Secondary English Alternative Certification (9-12)
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Middle School English Language Arts (5-9)
- Middle School English Language Arts Alternative Certification (5-9)
- Middle School Science (5-9)
- Middle School Science Alternative Certification (5-9)
- Secondary Biology (9-12)
- Secondary Biology Alternative Certification (9-12)
- Secondary English (9-12)
Career Outlook
The field of education continues to grow as Missouri experiences teacher shortages across the board. The Stephens Education program will ensure you’re well prepared to fill the need for excellent teachers. You’ll graduate confident in your skills and ready to make a difference.
Program Structure
Education students at Stephens learn by doing. Our students complete four to five times more classroom time than many other programs, with more than 400 hours of classroom experience prior to student teaching.
Experiential Learning Highlights
Freshman & Sophomore Years
Start assisting in the Children’s School at Stephens College during your first semester on campus. Continue learning and building your experience throughout your first and second years in the program.
Junior Year
Create a two-week curriculum, teach it to the Children’s School students, and give a poster presentation about your methods and experience.
Senior Year
Spend your first-semester student teaching in a public school, and your second-semester student teaching at the Children’s School. With their exceptional experience and preparation level, Stephens student-teachers are in high demand.
What does a block schedule look like?
Take a look at the below sample block schedule for a first-year Education major. The Block offers the rare opportunity to focus on what matters: learning, doing, and getting ready for your future. Want to know more? Contact an Advisor academicaffairs@stephens.edu.
Students are truly engaged when you make their learning fun and hands-on, so I have loved getting to incorporate art in my own classroom, which I believe has helped me be more successful as a teacher.
Katelyn Rush ’17, Award-winning Fifth-grade Teacher at East Elementary in Jefferson City, Missouri
Education minor
Talk to your adviser about how an education minor can fit your career plans. Note: Students enrolled in classes that entail interaction with children are required to obtain a background check and/or fingerprinting at least once per year.
Requirements
The minor in education requires completion of at least 15 semester hours in education courses, including 6 semester hours of required course work (see below) and a minimum of 9 semester hours of EDU electives; 6 semester hours must be at or above the 300 level.
Additional EDU courses to total 24 semester hours may be elected by the student.
Students select their electives for this minor in consultation with Education program faculty.
Required Courses
EDU 276: Foundations of the Teaching-Learning Process (3 hrs.)
EDU 114: Lifespan Development (3 hrs.)
Related programs
Contact Us
School of Integrative Studies
Jennifer Blair, Administrative Assistant
(573)-876-2312 ext. 4312
jeblair@stephens.edu