Dr. Laurie Edmondson
Interim Director of the School of Education & Child Development
Office: (417) 873-7271
Fax: (417) 873-7269
ledmondson@drury.edu
Kerry Elam
Graduate Programs Coordinator
Office: (417) 873-6948
Toll Free: 1 (888) 740-4638
Fax: (417) 873-6681
grad@drury.edu
Drury Alternative Track in Special Education (DATSE)
Graduate program leading to special education certification
Contact Information:
Dr. Laurie Edmondson
(417) 873-7271
ledmondson@drury.edu
Program Information
This program of study is designed for persons who are employed as full-time teacher aides or others interested in special education; have already completed a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a 2.75 or higher cumulative grade point average; and do not have a Missouri teaching certificate.
To meet requirements for teacher certification in the area of Cross Categorical/Mild Moderate Disabilities, DATSE graduate candidates must complete structured field experiences aligned to course work and demonstrate standards-based performances specific to the area of certification. Standards-based performances specific to the DATSE program may only be met in a public school K-12 setting with students diagnosed with mild/moderate disabilities. Field experience requirements within the DATSE program follow:
- By the second year of the program, the DATSE candidate must be employed by a public school and working in a K-12 setting as a special education teacher on a provisional certificate with a caseload to include students with a diagnosis aligned to a mild/moderate disability. This does not include an assignment where the primary duties are speech implementation, early childhood special educator, or teacher of students with severe disabilities.
or
- The DATSE candidate completes a 90 hour practicum experience in conjunction with EDUC 653 and a 16 week semester of student teaching to support completion of EDUC 654 and EDUC 655. All practica and student teaching placements will be made through the School of Education and Child Development.
DATSE candidates working as a paraprofessional in a public school Special Education setting must contact the School of Education and Child Development prior to their second year of the DATSE program to determine options for meeting DATSE field experience requirements leading to certification. If it is determined that the paraprofessional experience will meet state certification requirements, a letter verifying district employment must be provided to the SECD Director of Student Services during enrollment in EDUC 654/EDUC 655.
The special education program of study leads to a Missouri initial teaching certification in mild-moderate, cross-categorical special education (grades K-12) and to the Master in Education degree.
PRAXIS II
In order to be state certified, all DATSE students must pass the appropriate PRAXIS II exam for special education. The PRAXIS II code for the Special Education (K-12) Mild-Moderate: Cross Categorical Disabilities exam is 0543 (paper based) or 5543 (computer based). When registering for the exam, be sure to select Drury University to receive your scores. You can register for the exam by visiting the PRAXIS Registration website.
Admission Interview
Prospective students must work with the Graduate Programs Office to submit all required materials for graduate admission. Once that process is complete, students must interview with the Director of the School of Education and Child Development. The form below must be submitted electronically prior to the interview and students must bring a hard copy to the interview as well.
DATSE Admission Interview Requirements
Program Resources
Highly Qualified Teacher
In order to meet Highly Qualified Teacher status and be eligible for provisional certification while enrolled in the DATSE program, students must register for the Special Education Praxis II exam (code 0543). Your hiring school district may require a passing score on that Praxis II exam and additional Praxis II exams in order to meet the standard for Highly Qualified Teacher.
In order for Drury University to recommend you for initial state certification you must pass the Special Education Praxis II exam (code 0543) and complete all programmatic requirements, including an electronic portfolio.
Provisional Certification Extensions
If you are a current DATSE student teaching under provisional certification, you will need to do the following to extend your provisional certificate:
- Obtain the location of the appropriate application by contacting DESE at (573) 751-0051.
- Submit the application and a letter as to why you are requesting an extension to DESE at the address below.
- Request a district letter of support and have it sent to DESE at the address below.
- Request a Drury letter of support by e-mailing the SECD Director of Student Services at klacara@drury.edu. The letter will then be e-mailed as a PDF document to the student.
You should send an updated Drury transcript to DESE by contacting the Drury Registrar's office and have it sent to:
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Attn: Robyn Segall
P.O. Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102
