Minor in College Teaching Program

Approximately 75 percent of faculty positions in the United States are at institutions where the importance of teaching and professional service is equal to or greater than the emphasis on research. The Minor in College Teaching (MICT), available to all MU graduate degree-seeking students, demonstrates your preparation as an effective teacher to potential employers.

Why Choose the MICT?

Practical Experience: Gain hands-on teaching experience through a mentored practicum.
Expanded Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of learning, pedagogy, and curriculum design.
Professional Development: Reflect on your teaching philosophy and develop a professional teaching portfolio.
Career Opportunities: Broaden your job prospects in academia and other teaching-focused careers.

Program Requirements

Course Completion: Complete one core course and 3–6 credit hours of elective courses.
Teaching Experience: Participate in a mentored teaching experience, either embedded in a course or arranged as a standalone experience.
Teaching Portfolio: Develop and submit a teaching portfolio showcasing your teaching work.
Meeting with MICT Program Coordinator: Meet with the MICT Program coordinator to review your progress and finalize requirements.

Steps to Completion

Complete Coursework

Work with your advisor to fulfill the course requirements and submit a Graduate Minor Plan of Study.

Complete one core course (choose one).
3–6 credit hours of elective courses (which may include the teaching practicum).

View MICT Core & Elective Course Options.

Teaching Experience

Practicum Structure

The teaching experience must be completed under the supervision of a faculty member at MU and can follow one of the following structures:

Faculty-Led Course:
- The faculty member serves as the instructor of record, and the practicum student teaches specific sections or units of the course.
- The faculty member provides mentorship, guidance, and feedback on teaching responsibilities.
Student-Led Course:
- The student is the primary instructor for the course, responsible for all aspects of course delivery.
- The supervising faculty member offers mentorship, oversight, and feedback throughout the practicum experience.

In either case, students must document evidence of in-class instruction, supervisory input, and reflective experiences. Students should consult the MICT coordinator before starting their teaching experience to ensure alignment with program requirements.

Students may also enroll in an approved practicum course to fulfill teaching experience requirement. These courses count toward elective hours for the minor. Refer to the MICT Core & Elective Course Options for a list of approved practicum courses.

Program Requirements

Minimum Teaching Hours
- Must include at least 15 hours of face-to-face
- Hours should be structured to provide diverse teaching experiences.
- Preparation hours are not included in the total.
Teaching Observations:
- The student must be observed teaching at least two class sessions for classes with a minimum of five students.
- Observations should be conducted by the faculty supervisor. If the supervisor is unavailable, another faculty member may conduct one or more observations.