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Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy
Teacher preparation has long been a cornerstone of the University of Central Missouri — known throughout the state for producing educators of the highest caliber. Get the foundation you need to lead your classroom on day one of the job — or take your teaching career to the next level — at UCM. With the help of our Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy, you can:
- Engage with our faculty in foundational-level teacher preparation courses.
- Learn to become a secondary teacher, choosing from a variety of content areas to focus your studies.
- Advance your teaching career with a master’s program.
- Complete a Master of Arts in Teaching to prepare for teacher certification.
No matter your pathway, you’ll leave as a competent and caring practitioner dedicated to helping all students learn.
Mission of the Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy
Our mission is to provide foundational education courses that introduce the teaching profession and the learning sciences to aspiring future educators, as well as to provide advanced professional development through our graduate programs for practicing teachers. We are creating a culture of excellence, and we model an ethic of care in all that we do. We look forward to contributing to UCM’s tradition of distinction as we guide you to achieve your professional goals.
Career-focused curriculum
Be confident in your teacher preparation, knowing that the offerings within UCM’s Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy, as part of the UCM teacher education program, hold accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Widely recognized as one of the top accreditations for teacher education, CAEP accreditation signals our commitment to providing you a high-quality curriculum and to ensuring its continual improvement to meet your needs and those of your students.
While you’ll learn to use state-of-the-art technology and resources, more importantly, you’ll learn the principles of their use, allowing you to easily adapt when new tools are introduced.
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CAEP-accredited for teacher preparation
Convenient online graduate programs
State-of-the-art facilities and tools
Support for state teaching certification
Small classes for relationship building
Qualify for Education scholarships
Disciplines within the Department of Educational Foundations and Literacy
A strong foundation for your teacher education allows you to not only withstand but also adapt to challenges you may face in your career while guiding students to success. Learn to become a thoughtful, capable and effective educator at UCM. We’ve been teaching tomorrow’s teachers for over 150 years and are commonly Missouri school districts’ first choice for new hires.
Educational Foundations at UCM
At the core of UCM’s College of Education, you’ll find our Educational Foundations offerings. Get the fundamentals you need to become an effective K–12 educator in our undergraduate courses, or enhance your skills with one of our master’s degree programs. This path is also a strong option for experienced professionals who want to transition to a teaching career.
Literacy at UCM
Gain the knowledge to effectively teach tomorrow’s students the vital skills of reading and writing. UCM’s Literacy education begins with core coursework for emerging educators and extends to graduate programs that enable you to become an expert in all aspects of being a literacy teacher. You may instead choose to focus your efforts on teaching English as a Second Language in the U.S. or abroad.
Secondary Education at UCM
If you want to lead high school students in worthwhile learning experiences, UCM is the place to prepare for your role in secondary education. Learn educational theories and instructional strategies — and enjoy many opportunities to apply them in real-world settings. You’ll also choose from a dozen content areas to match a passion or interest. At UCM, we’re committed to ensuring your success in teaching grades 9–12.
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