| Degree program | Certification pathways | Program overview | Minimum credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education | Birth through Grade 3 | For undergraduate students who want to support early childhood development. | 122 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education | Grades 1-6 | For undergraduate students who want to teach elementary students. | 120 |
| Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education: Special education emphasis | K-12 mild/moderate: cross-categorical special education | For undergraduate students who want to work in special education. | 122 |
| 4+1 combined Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts in Teaching |
Middle school (Grades 5-9): English and language arts, math, science or social studies |
Earn an undergraduate degree at UMKC with a minor in education while preparing to enter the master's degree in teaching program. Begin taking graduate coursework in your senior year and complete a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Teaching in five years combined. |
35-38 (includes seven credit hours during your undergraduate degree) |
| Master of Arts in Teaching |
Middle school (Grades 5-9): English and language arts, math, science or social studies |
For those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another subject and want to become an educator with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. |
35-38 (plus 10 hours of prerequisite courses, if not previously completed) |
Undergraduate students can sign up for a free TEACH Kansas City account to receive access to tools and resources, such as teacher certification guides, application checklists, scholarships and application fee reimbursement.
The Institute of Urban Education (IUE) prepares new teachers for success in urban classrooms by exploring issues of social justice and multicultural education. The IUE scholarship is given in exchange for teaching in a Kansas City-area partner district for at least four years after graduation.
UMKC offers automatic scholarships to eligible undergraduate students. In addition, all students may apply for competitive scholarships.
Once you've completed your general education and pre-education coursework, whether it was at UMKC or at another institution, you're ready to start the Teacher Education Professional Program, the final two years of your teacher certification program. Learn what steps you need to take to become a certified teacher.
