PURPOSE: This rule provides procedures and standards for the approval of preliminary professional education programs in all associate degree granting two (2)-year colleges in Missouri.

1. (1) For the purpose of this rule, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean:

   1. (A) Board—The Missouri State Board of Education;
   2. (B) Certification—The official recognition by the State Board of Education that an individual has met state requirements and is, therefore, approved to practice as a duly certified/licensed education professional;
   3. (C) Department—The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;
   4. (D) Preliminary—The introductory or early phases of preparation;
   5. (E) Professional education program—A planned sequence of courses and experiences leading to a degree in education; and
   6. (F) Review team—A team selected by the department for the purpose of conducting an on-site review and evaluation of an institution’s professional education unit and programs; the team includes a representative from the department, faculty from elementary or secondary schools, and faculty from institutions of higher education with boardapproved professional education programs.
2. (2) The department will accept, for purposes of teacher certification and transfer credit, coursework from preliminary professional education programs at Missouri’s community colleges to meet general education, subject knowledge and professional education requirements equivalent to the first two (2) years of the baccalaureate educational experience.
3. (3) All Missouri two (2)-year college programs offering professional education coursework for transfer credit shall be evaluated by the department and approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to the rules promulgated by the board in the same manner as programs for certification are evaluated and approved for Missouri’s four (4)-year teacher preparation institutions, employing the standards adopted by the board with appropriate adjustments for the level of preparation. It is not the intent of this rule to cause Missouri’s four (4)-year teacher preparation institutions to deny acceptance of credit from any two (2)-year or four (4)-year college.

AUTHORITY: sections 161.092, 161.097 and 161.099, RSMo 1994 and 168.021, RSMo Supp. 1999.* Original rule filed July 28, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. *Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973; 161.097, RSMo 1985; 161.099, RSMo 1993; 168.021, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000.