Teacher Preparation

Program Overview

The IUE Teacher Preparation Program is a scholarship and supplemental education program that supports students as they earn their teaching degree at UMKC. UMKC’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE) program supports students who are wanting to teach in the following areas: Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3), Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), Middle School (Grades 5-9), or High School (Grades 9-12).

The IUE Teacher Preparation program places particular emphasis on providing access to college for first generation college students and students of color and does so through robust scholarships, which prepare students to be change-makers in urban schools. The IUE is an innovative teacher preparation program that focuses on culturally relevant and responsive practice within a teacher preparation model similar to medical school (high standards, learning in actual schools, learning alongside professors and master teachers). In addition to preparing students for long-term careers in Kansas City, the IUE also provides its students with mentoring, guidance, and support, helping to ensure success in college and into one’s career as an educator in Kansas City schools.

Students who are accepted into the IUE commit to teaching for 4 years in an IUE partner urban school upon graduation.

Undergraduate students and graduate students can participate in the IUE! IUE Teacher Preparation students complete bachelor or master degree programs and teacher certification from the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences’ division of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies.

IUE Scholarships

IUE Scholars are supported by robust scholarships ranging between $5,000 and $15,000 per year, allowing students to focus on their studies rather than meeting the financial needs of self and family. In exchange for this financial support, IUE graduates commit to teaching for a minimum of 4 years in a Kansas City urban partner school. Apply »

Co-curricular Activities

As indicated above, students in the IUE participate in co-curricular activities that enhance their teacher preparation, specifically focusing on preparation for teaching in Kansas City urban schools. Co-curricular activities include social justice seminars, cohort dinners, community projects, early field experiences, and teaching internships.

IUE in the Community

IUE scholars are provided opportunities to engage in community outreach, whereby IUE scholars work with and among community members and community organizations and support identified needs. Additional scholarships are available on a limited basis for students who are interested in meaningful community outreach work.

Teacher Certification Areas

• Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3): Students wanting to teach Early Childhood Education enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and become certified to teach learners from birth through age eight (3^rd grade). Undergraduate students can apply to the IUE at any point during their studies at UMKC. Participating IUE students engage in IUE co-curricular programming and early field experiences while completing their bachelor’s degree from the department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies. This bachelor’s degree is field-based, meaning students learn by directly applying research theory to working with children in diverse classroom placements. Early Childhood »
• Elementary Education (Grades 1-6): Students wanting to teach in elementary schools enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and become certified to teach in grades 1-6. Undergraduate students can apply to the IUE at any point during their studies at UMKC. Participating IUE students engage in IUE co-curricular programming and early field experiences while completing their bachelor’s degree from the department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies. This bachelor’s degree is field-based, meaning students learn by directly applying research theory to working with children in diverse classroom placements. Elementary »
• Special Education (Grades K-6): Students wanting to teach special education at any level (K-12) enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with the Special Education emphasis. This program meets the state requirements and teaching methods needed to teach special education students and become certified to teach in grades K-12. Undergraduate students can apply to the IUE at any point during their studies at UMKC. Participating IUE students engage in IUE co-curricular programming and early field experiences while completing their bachelor’s degree from the department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies. This degree program provides students experience in special education classrooms from K-12.
• Middle School (Grades 5-9) or High School (Grades 9-12): There are two pathways to teacher certification for students wanting to teach in middle schools or high schools:
  • 4+1 Program: Students in the 4+1 program complete foundational courses and beginning teaching methods courses while also completing their bachelor’s degree in the content area of their choice. Students in the 4+1 program participate in IUE co-curricular programming and have options to work and observe in classrooms while completing their content degree. Once 4+1 students complete their bachelor’s degree, they earn teacher certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in 12 months.
  • Graduate Students: Students who already have a bachelor’s degree can apply directly to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. This program can be completed in 3-4 semesters and courses are offered evenings and online. IUE students in the MAT participate in IUE co-curricular activities and have options to apply for paid teaching internships while completing their teacher certification and MAT. MAT »
  • Middle School certification areas include English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science
  • High School certification areas include Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics and social Studies
• Art (Grades K-12) and Foreign Language (K-12): Students planning to teach Art or Foreign Languages (French, German or Spanish) have two pathways for earning teacher certification:
  • 4+1 Program: Students in the 4+1 program complete foundational courses and beginning teaching methods courses while also completing their bachelor’s degree in the content area of their choice. Students in the 4+1 program participate in IUE co-curricular programming and have options to work and observe in classrooms while completing their content degree. Once 4+1 students complete their bachelor’s degree, they earn teacher certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in 12 months.
  • Graduate Students: Students who already have a bachelor’s degree can apply directly to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. This program can be completed in 3-4 semesters and courses are offered evenings and online. IUE students in the MAT participate in IUE co-curricular activities and have options to apply for paid teaching internships while completing their teacher certification and MAT. MAT »
  • Students earning certification in Art or Foreign Language become certified to teach any grade K-12.

*** Students wanting to participate in the IUE Teacher Preparation programs must apply to the IUE in addition to their respective degree program. Apply »

Already have a Bachelor’s Degree?

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is designed for those already holding a bachelor’s degree and who are interested in becoming certified as a teacher. Students are prepared for initial teacher certification within the Teacher Education Professional Program, fulfilling all requirements for Missouri Teacher Certification. MAT »

Available Areas of Certification:

• Middle School (Grades 5-9): Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Science
• High School (Grades 9-12): English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics), Social Science
• K-12: Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish), Art