Approximately 93% of all colleges and universities in the United States are institutions in which teaching and professional service are emphasized as much as or more than research. The Minor in College Teaching (MICT), available to all MU graduate degree-seeking students, helps prepare students to be effective educators.
MICT requires 9 credit hours, including a 3-hour core course, 3-6 elective hours, and a teaching practicum.
The minor in college teaching is available to all master’s and doctoral students at the University of Missouri.
Before taking courses, submit an application (pdf) that includes a list of courses you plan to take and your advisor’s signature.
Learn more about completion requirements for graduate minors.
Students must complete one of the following core courses:
The minor in college teaching requires the completion of a teaching practicum. Effective teaching, like any other skill, demands practice and the guidance of skilled faculty members. The teaching practicum allows inexperienced, as well as experienced, teachers to benefit from instructional expertise and faculty mentoring within their own disciplines. The practicum also gives future faculty the opportunity to experiment with new teaching techniques and styles.
In each case, evidence of in-class instruction and a range of supervisory and reflective experiences must be documented. While flexibility is allowed in meeting this requirement, it must be demonstrated that the practicum experience meets MU’s academic standards for the graduate credits provided.
Students must complete the teaching practicum and teaching portfolio but are not required to officially register for the graduate courses below. Enrollment in practicum credit hours is reflected on one’s official MU transcript.
Please note: If you would like to enroll in one of the practicum options listed above, but are not pursuing a degree in one of the specific academic programs, we suggest that you contact the program prior to submitting your plan of study to verify whether you would be eligible to enroll in the course.
The teaching practicum should be designed to give the student actual teaching experience and developmental feedback. Practicum students should be involved in course planning and implementation as well as the assessment of students and of the course throughout the semester.
Students should perform a variety of instructional roles, including, at a minimum, the independent teaching of a subject unit in the course and regular classroom attendance for a semester. The supervising instructor should approve all assessment instruments developed by the practicum student.
The course being taught by the teaching practicum student must include at least five students.
The practicum student must be observed teaching at least two class sessions. The faculty supervisor should conduct these observations. If unable to be present at both, the faculty supervisor can arrange for another faculty member to conduct some number of the observations.
The practicum student should complete self-appraisal and course appraisal before the class visit. The appraisal should be the basis for a conference discussion between the student and the supervisor/observer before the class observation.
This appraisal should address:
The supervisor/observer should review the course syllabus carefully before visiting the class.
Based on the observation and pre-observation consultation, and examination of course materials, the supervisor/observer should provide written feedback (download form) and verbal feedback to the practicum student regarding:
The supervisor/observer should prepare a detailed follow-up report and meet with the practicum student to discuss results of the observation within one week of the classroom visit.
It is recommended that the supervisor/observer provide feedback following this format:
The practicum student should write a reflective analysis of the observation. This should be included in the practicum portfolio.
A practicum portfolio, approved by the practicum student’s supervisor and submitted to 210 Jesse Hall, should be used to document successful completion of a teaching practicum. The program completion form (pdf) should also be submitted at that time. Following a review of the portfolio, students will be asked to schedule a brief meeting to discuss their experience, upcoming opportunities, and future plans with the minor coordinator.
Ashley Siebenaler
siebenalera@missouri.edu
Coordinator of Student Services and Records
210 Jesse Hall
573-884-8006
Laura Page
Pagel@missouri.edu
Director of Professional Development and Leadership
205 Jesse Hall
573-882-8629