Teaching Education Degrees in Mississippi

To become a teacher in Mississippi, you must have at least a bachelor's degree. You must also complete a teacher preparation program. In addition to the various teaching programs offered at Mississippi colleges and universities, the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), offers an online program to help you earn the teaching certifications required to obtain a Mississippi teaching license.

Students who choose this path often complete the program in as little as ten months. However, those who wish to obtain their certifications through a traditional college can choose from some of the following schools and programs.

• 71 teaching programs in Mississippi accredited by CAEP
• 47 CAEP-accredited Bachelor's degrees
• 15 CAEP-accredited Master's degrees in Mississippi

All prospective teachers must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college. The program can be approved by the state, the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation, or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Requirements to Teach in Mississippi

All grade levels of teacher education graduates have to pass the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching for the grade level to be taught. Those who want to teach elementary school have to pass the Praxis Elementary Education: Curriculum Instruction and Assessment exam.

A score of at least 229 has to be earned on the Mississippi Department of Education's Foundation of Reading Assessment exam. Middle school and high school teachers must pass the Praxis test for the subject and area they plan to teach.

After completing the degree and passing the required tests, teachers apply for the Mississippi Class A Educator License, that is valid for five years and renewable. Applications can be submitted online or by mail to the MS Department of Education.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Available

Mississippi provides approximately $40 million per year to help college students. There are three undergraduate grant programs.

• HELP
• MTAG
• MESG

HELP awards full tuition to students with financial need. MTAG awards first-year students and sophomores $500 each year and juniors and seniors $1000 each year. MESG awards high-achieving students with a minimum ACT score of 29 and a GPA of at least 3.5 $2500 each year. The grant programs require full-time enrollment each term.

Other scholarships that are available to Mississippi students include the NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarships, which sponsor four young women or men every year who demonstrate outstanding educational abilities. The scholarship can be used at the university or college of the students' choice. An essay is a required part of the application.

There is also a NAJA Graduate Scholarship program established to render charitable services that benefit the general public. The program has a particular emphasis on children and cooperation with other organizations that perform similar services. Their slogan, 'Care Today, Character Tomorrow,' is behind the focus of meeting children's needs.

Requirements to Qualify for In-State Tuition

Mississippi universities are fickle about who qualifies for in-state tuition. They have shut out any person under 21 from the path towards in-state residency for tuition. It is doable by 22. By that time, most students have graduated.

Married students, military, or students whose parents are deceased may receive in-state tuition rates. Still, the process requires forethought, execution, and follow-through. Mississippi is an Academic Common Market member with limited regional agreements of reciprocity among the Select Southern States.

There are many restrictions. The degree the student wants to obtain cannot be offered in an institution in the student's home state. The program also mandates the student keeps his or her home state. Each institution or state can require additional acceptance terms or withdraw or limit participation in the program. Popular universities in Mississippi are Mississippi State University - Starkville and the University of Mississippi - Oxford. Both universities hold to the strict 21 years of age policy.

List of the Best CAEP Accredited Teaching Degrees in Mississippi

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State

CAEP

• Bachelors in English NCTE

Delta State University

Cleveland

CAEP

• Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM
• Bachelors in Social Studies NCSS
• Masters in Special Education K-12 CEC

Jackson State University

Jackson

CAEP

• Bachelors in Early Childhood NAEYC
• Masters in Early Childhood Master's (Advanced) NAEYC
• Doctorate in Education Leadership ELCC
• Masters in Education Leadership ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English Education NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics Ed NCTM
• Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
• Masters in Reading ILA
• Bachelors in Social Studies NCSS
• Bachelors in Special Education CEC

Millsaps College

Jackson

CAEP

• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI

Mississippi College

Clinton

CAEP

• Bachelors in Biology NSTA
• Masters in Educational Leadership: Administration ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Leadership: Administration ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English NCTE
• Bachelors in Kinesiology Education NASPE
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM
• Bachelors in Social Studies NCSS

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State

CAEP

• Masters in Educational Leadership-Building Principal ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM
• Bachelors in Physical Education (Undergraduate) NASPE
• Specialist or C.A.S. in School Psychology NASP
• 0 in Science Education NSTA
• Masters in Secondary Social Studies NCSS
• Bachelors in Special Education CEC

Mississippi University for Women

Columbus

CAEP

• Masters in Educational Leadership Program ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English/Language Arts NCTE
• Masters in Gifted Studies NAGC
• Bachelors in Physical Education NASPE
• Masters in Role 6 Reading Specialist ILA
• Bachelors in Social Studies Education NCSS

Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena

CAEP

• Bachelors in Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Ed ACEI
• Bachelors in English Education NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics NCTM

The University of Mississippi

University

CAEP

• Specialist or C.A.S. in Ed.S in Educational Leadership ELCC
• Masters in Educational Leadership (Building) ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English Education NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics Education NCTM
• Bachelors in Social Studies Education NCSS
• Bachelors in Special Education CEC

The University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg

CAEP

• Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision Education (Building) ELCC
• Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision Education (Building) ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision Education (Building) ELCC
• Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision Education (District) ELCC
• Specialist or C.A.S. in Educational Administration and Supervision Education (District) ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary Education ACEI
• Bachelors in English Licensure NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics Education NCTM
• Bachelors in Physical Education Initial NASPE
• Bachelors in Science Education NSTA
• Bachelors in Social Studies NCSS
• Bachelors in Spanish and French Secondary Licensure 7-12 ACTFL
• Bachelors in Special Education CEC

William Carey University

Hattiesburg

CAEP

• Masters in Educational Leadership ELCC
• Bachelors in Elementary (Baccalaureate) ACEI
• Masters in Elementary (MAT) ACEI
• Bachelors in English Education NCTE
• Bachelors in Mathematics Education NCTM

Online Teaching Degrees in MS

In addition to nationwide accepting online teaching degrees, there are multiple Mississippi-based universities that have online teaching programs at multiple levels.

Belhaven University offers online alternative teaching certification courses. An online bachelor’s degree in elementary education is offered at Mississippi State University. Although the courses in this program are all offered online, students must complete the required field experiences at an actual college. Jackson State University offers master degree teaching programs through distance learning as well as online workshops and individual teaching courses like classroom management or leadership. The University of Southern Mississippi has both online and hybrid bachelor and master degree teaching programs.

Mississippi Teacher Certification & Specializations

In addition to the undergraduate and graduate teaching programs offered at Alcorn State University, there is also an advanced specialist degree in elementary education for teachers that already hold a Class AA teaching license. Jackson State University offers an Alternate Route certification program for teachers looking for alternative ways of obtaining certification. The University of Mississippi offers teacher education endorsement programs in emotional disability and gifted.

Bachelor’s in Education Degrees in MS

Mississippi State University(MSU) offers various bachelor degree teaching programs, including majors in elementary education, secondary education and special education. These programs prepare students for initial licensure in Mississippi and also offer areas of concentration or endorsements such as music, technology, physical education and art. The elementary education major also offers concentrations in early childhood and middle school education. The secondary education programs offers concentrations in mathematics, English, social studies, chemistry and biology.

Alcorn State University (website) offers bachelor degree programs in elementary education and general studies. The elementary education offers concentrations like mathematics, language arts and social studies; whereas the general studies program allows students to almost design their own majors.

Jackson State University (site) is another school rich in teach programs. From elementary education and special education to educational leadership program, you’ll find a little of everything at Jackson. Bachelor degree programs in health education, physical education and special education teaching are just a few of the many baccalaureate programs at JSU.

Master’s in Education Degrees in MS

Mississippi State University also has master degree programs in elementary education, special education and secondary education. Students in these programs can also choose from several concentrations and minors. For instance, a student in the special education program may choose a concentration in mild/moderate disabilities as well as a minor in severe disabilities. The special education program offers several different concentrations. The elementary education program offers concentrations in general elementary education, early childhood, and middle level education.

A large variety of master degree programs are available at Alcorn State University including master’s in elementary education, secondary education, education with an emphasis on special education, education with an emphasis on school counseling, teaching and education with an emphasis on athletic administration and coaching.

The University of Mississippi offers master degree programs in counselor education, curriculum & instruction, early childhood education, educational leadership, elementary education, and higher education/student personnel. Master degree programs can be beneficial for teachers because highly-qualified teachers with various certifications continue to be in demand.