OTC offers the option to complete training to be a Substitute Teacher. This training is embedded in our EDU 130 class, Orientation to the Teaching Profession. This is an ideal option for anyone who:

• has fewer than 36 college credit hours completed and seeks to work as a substitute teacher
• is currently a paraprofessional who seeks either substitute certification or an A.A. degree
• is considering the A.A. in Teacher Education degree at OTC
• is considering the path of professional education to become a fully certified Missouri school teacher

EDU 130 is a 3-credit hour class and is offered summer, fall, and spring semesters, in a hybrid format or fully online. The substitute teacher training is embedded in the first half of the class and requires successful completion of a Substitute Teacher Final Assessment—a non-standardized, multiple-choice exam that must be passed with a score of 80%. This exam is not a required component of the class but is an option to those students who enroll in EDU 130 and wish to obtain their Substitute Teacher Certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Additional requirements from the State are necessary to secure this certificate to work as a substitute, including a background check. Beginning in the Summer of 2023, grant opportunities to cover the cost of tuition for EDU 130 may be available to some Missourians. If you are eligible, the Fast Track grant may also be used toward the cost of EDU 130.

If you are interested in becoming a Missouri substitute teacher but prefer a quicker and less expensive option than EDU 130, then Frontline Substitute Teacher Training may be a better option for you. Contact the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or your local public school district for details in how to enroll in the short-term online training offered by Frontline Education.

To enroll in EDU 130, begin by applying to OTC.