Road to Success

Throughout 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) will share “Roads to Success,” a collection of stories from professionals and higher education institutions. Stories from professionals feature achievements from people working in childhood programs such as home visiting, early intervention, child care, Head Start, preschool, and afterschool. Stories from higher education institutions highlight colleges and universities who are using innovative methods to support and grow the early childhood workforce. There are many roads to success, it is important to highlight the varying and unique pathways that professionals take and how higher education programs can pave the way.  You can view previous editions of the Road to Success as well. 

This month’s Road to Success highlights Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield. Their College of Education offers several minors and certificates for those interested in working with children that allow them to personalize and specialize their degree for their interests.

The Early Childhood Education major leads to Missouri teacher certification for ages birth through third grade, allowing graduates to work as a teacher or instructor in early childhood settings, including public schools. Students in this track have the option to do a year-long student teaching experience in Springfield, St. Louis, or Kansas City through the Internship Academy. The College also offers a major in Child and Family Development that prepares students to work with children and families in early learning settings that do not require certification. This major has four tracks that allow students to focus their education in a particular area. Students can choose from Child Development, Child Life, Family Studies, or Youth Development track options.

Undergraduates at MSU have multiple options for certificates and minors to complement their major. The College of Education offers the following undergraduate certificates: Environmental STEM for Teachers, Family and Juvenile Support Services, Infant and Toddler Development, Working with Families, Working with Preschoolers, and International Perspectives in K-12 Special Education.

They also offer five minors: Child and Family Development, General Family and Consumer Sciences, Literacy, Sign Language Studies, and Special Education. These optional programs help students develop specialized skills that set them apart in the job market.