The MPER Early Career Scholars Program is a graduate level program open to individuals who will be entering their first full year of teaching, rising second year teachers, and rising third year teachers and are employed as teachers in an MPER partner district.

Prospective MPER Scholars are encouraged to review the information housed under the Coursework and Finances tab. Details on course sequencing, maintaining eligibility, as well as salary and tuition are made available.

Outlined below is the application process for the MPER Early Career Scholars Program. If you have any questions about the process, please email MPERScholars@missouri.edu.

Admission Requirements

• All requirements for Bachelor’s degree completed by May
• All requirements for completion of an accredited teacher education preparation program by May
• Eligible to be recommended for certification in the state of Missouri by June
• A minimum 3.000 overall GPA (cumulative of all institutions attended)
• A minimum 3.000 on the last 60 transcripted undergraduate graded hours
• Must be hired as a full-time teacher in an MPER partner district

Application Components

Completed applications and all associated materials must be received by the MPER Early Career Scholars Program by February 15th in order for beginning teachers to be considered to participate in the Early Admittance process. Applicants recruited by districts after the Early Admittance process should submit the completed application and associated materials as soon as possible for screening but no later than June 1st.

1. Online graduate application

• The MU Office of Graduate Studies requires an online application* for all graduate programs at the university, including the MPER Early Career Scholars Program. (*There is a non-refundable application-processing fee.)
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to be proactive and complete component 1 in a timely fashion. Doing so will ensure that application materials are documented and on file. All complete applications must be received by February 15th in order for applicants to be considered to participate in Early Admittance process and applicants recruited by districts after the Early Admittance process should submit completed application and associated materials as soon as possible for screening but no later than June 1st.
• Use the following link to view the instructions and documents required for completing the MPER Early Career Scholars Program application: Online Program Application Instructions

2. Two letters of recommendation

• As a part of this program’s application process, your file requires at least two recommendations submitted via our online site. Recommendations delivered, mailed or emailed will not be accepted. All online recommendations must be submitted by February 15th in order to be considered for Early Admittance process. Recommendations for applicants recruited by districts after the Early Admittance process should be submitted by June 1st.
• The names and contact information for the recommendation writers will be submitted via the online Graduate Studies application. At least one recommendation must be submitted from each of the following categories:
  • The district assigned mentor, partner/cooperating teacher, or a faculty member (preferably a methods/pedagogy instructor from your emphasis area or your faculty advisor) who can provide information about you as a student.
  • For rising 2^nd or 3^rd year teachers, the building principal or administrator from your current teaching site. For incoming 1^st year teachers, the building principal or administrator from the student teaching internship site or someone with firsthand knowledge of your teaching experience in an education/school setting such as a university supervisor or pre-service setting teacher.