In today’s competitive academic market, demonstrating your ability to excel in college teaching is a valuable asset. The Minor in College Teaching (MICT) at the University of Missouri offers a unique credential designed to set you apart as an effective educator in higher education. This program provides graduate students with practical teaching experience, advanced knowledge of pedagogy, and the tools to thrive in college-level teaching roles.
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).
Email your completed Graduate Minor Plan of Study to the MICT Coordinator for approval. Include a description of how you plan to fulfill the teaching experience requirement.
View MICT Core & Elective Course Options.
Teaching Experience
Structure of the Teaching Experience
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, as well as supervisory and reflective experiences, in their teaching portfolio.
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
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.
For the full list of observation and teaching experience requirements, please view the MICT Teaching Experience Requirements.
Complete the Teaching Portfolio
As part of the teaching experience, students must develop a teaching portfolio that includes:
- A description of the teaching practicum.
- A teaching philosophy statement.
- A copy of the course syllabus.
- A sample lesson plan.
- Examples of student work.
- Evaluations by students of the practicum student’s teaching.
- Pre-observation appraisal reports.
- Supervisor/observer’s classroom observation reports.
- A reflective journal documenting the practicum experience.
View MICT Teaching Portfolio Requirements.
Meet with the MICT Coordinator
After completing your teaching portfolio, email the MICT coordinator to schedule a meeting. Include the following in your email:
- Your completed teaching portfolio.
- The MICT Completion Form.
In the email, request an appointment to review your teaching portfolio and discuss your coursework and practicum experiences.
Note: Please allow at least two weeks between submitting your materials and your requested meeting date.
Contact Us
For questions or assistance, contact the MICT Program Coordinator:
Heather Hoffman, Ph.D.
Email: hoffmanh@missouri.edu
Office: 210 Jesse Hall
Phone: 573-882-8629