For the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, Columbia College and the Education Faculty have endorsed national certification of teachers and have adopted the five core proposals of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) as goals of the program. These core propositions are: Teachers are committed to students and their learning; Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students; Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning; Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience; and Teachers are members of learning communities. To help students reach these goals, Columbia College believes that truly effective teaching must be modeled, not just taught. Therefore, faculty are encouraged to engage students in active learning, problem solving, interactive dialogue and questioning, and constant exploration of what is and what could be. Students are supported in their efforts to identify and evaluate relevant issues as they relate to various aspects of teaching and learning; to engage in critical and creative thinking with colleagues, peers and professors; to develop as whole persons, valuing individualism, uniqueness and diversity of others; to consistently use reflection and research as the foundation for decision making; and to value and promote professionalism and a commitment to learning that is never ending. Students who are seeking teacher certification would apply to the Graduate-Level Teacher Certification (Post-Baccalaureate) Program. Those who do not meet graduate admission requirements may qualify for the Undergraduate-Level Teacher Certification (Post-Baccalaureate) Program offered at select locations. Note that teacher certification is only offered through specific Missouri locations and is not available online.