Missouri State University was founded to educate teachers. More than 118 years later, the College of Education (COE) continues that mission. In fact, no teacher education program in the state produces more educators each year than we do.

The realignment within COE will raise its profile. We’ll continue providing statewide leadership in teacher education and developmental sciences. And we’ll support proactive engagement with schools and communities.

In addition to the realignment described below, COE recently opened a new Center for Rural Education. This solidifies our commitment to work with rural schools to recruit and retain teachers.

Three departments become two schools

Three departments in COE have been reorganized into two new schools. This will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration for students and faculty, and promote sharing of resources. The two new schools are:

School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies, which includes:

• Special education.
• Educational administration.
• Student affairs in higher education.
• Foundations.
• Teacher leadership (MATL/SETL).
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT).
• Educational technology.
• American Sign Language (ASL).

School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences, which includes:

• Child and family development.
• Child life studies.
• Early childhood education.
• Early childhood special education.
• Elementary education.
• Family and consumer sciences.
• Business education.
• Literacy (including reading specialist program).
• Middle school.

Counseling program moved to MCHHS

The counseling program has moved to the new School of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences in McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS). This change brings all areas of mental health into one school in MCHHS.

It provides a clear pathway for undergraduate and graduate students and signals a cutting-edge effort to address significant state and national needs.

The Center City Counseling Clinic will continue as part of the counseling program, under the new school.

ASL programs moved to special education

The ASL program moved from MCHHS to COE. This aligns the ASL minor with special education programs and expertise.

Existing centers and programs will not change

Bear POWER, Greenwood Laboratory School, the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning and the Child Development Center will continue to be part of COE.

Secondary education programs will remain within their applicable colleges.

Future-forward thinking

The state of education is changing. Missouri State has always, and will continue to be, among the most important voices guiding education in the state of Missouri.

An example of this leadership is COE’s commitment to work with teacher education programs across the state to develop teacher apprenticeship programs like the Pathways for Paraprofessionals program.

It also includes our efforts to support rural schools through the recently-opened Center for Rural Education.

These strategic changes will set the path for transformation for generations of educators to come.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif