Alternative Certification Program, MAT

Program Description

Students who have a baccalaureate degree may be eligible for the Alternative Certification Program (graduate). A candidate for the Alternative Certification Program must present evidence of the following:

• A passing score on the Missouri Content Assessment (MoCA) (prior to June 30, 2024) or the Praxis II (beginning July 1, 2024) associated with the certification area being sought;
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (3.0 GPA minimum). Included in the degree must be general education coursework that has been determined by the Office of the Registrar to be sufficient to meet Columbia College standards;
• Graduate Application submission for the Alternative Certification Program that includes, but is not limited to a personal goal statement.

Once admitted, Alternative Certification students must:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all professional Education courses with no grade lower than C (See Grading and Academic Standing );
• Complete application materials for admission to the Teacher Certification Program  

Columbia College offers Alternative Certification Programs in:

• Art Education (K-12)    
• Music Education (K-12)   
• Middle School Language Arts (5-9)   
• Middle School Mathematics (5-9)     
• Middle School Science (5-9)   
• Middle School Social Science (5-9)   
• Secondary Biology (9-12)   
• Secondary Business (9-12)   
• Secondary Chemistry (9-12)   
• Secondary English (9-12)   
• Secondary Mathematics (9-12)   
• Secondary Social Science (9-12)   
• Secondary Speech/Theatre (9-12)