Alternative Certification Program, MAT

Program Description

Program leads to Missouri certification. Students who do not live in Missouri will be required to sign an attestation that they will complete their field experiences and student teaching in Missouri and will work in Missouri upon graduation

Students who have a baccalaureate degree may be eligible for the Alternative Certification Program (graduate). Program leads to Missouri certification. Students who do not live in Missouri will be required to sign an attestation that they will complete their field experiences and student teaching in Missouri and will work in Missouri upon graduation. A candidate for the Alternative Certification Program must present evidence of the following:

• A passing score on 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:

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

Alternative Certification students completing the FAFSA to receive financial aid for certification must complete the following questions on the 2026-27 FAFSA accordingly:

                Section 4 - Student College or Career School Plans:

• “When the student begins the 2026-27 school year, what will their college grade level be?” - Answer “Other undergraduate (junior year and beyond)”
• “When the student begins the 2026-27 school year, will they already have their first bachelor’s degree?” - Answer “Yes”
• “Will the student be pursuing an initial teaching certification at the elementary or secondary level?” - Answer “Yes”

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa