Mississippi Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teaching schools in Mississippi is designed to assist anyone who is looking to become a certified teacher in the state. In order to obtain a teaching license in Mississippi, aspiring teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. Therefore, it is essential to find the right school that can properly prepare you for a career as an educator. On this page, we have provided a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, lists of top-rated teaching programs, and student reviews to assist you in finding a school that meets your individual needs and career goals.

Table of Contents

• Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
• Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs
• Select Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees
• Schools with Associate Degrees in Education
• Student Reviews

Quick Facts

• There are 23 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Mississippi.¹
• 9 schools offer an associate’s degree in education.¹
• 15 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in education.¹
• 12 schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• 1 school ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022.²
• 3 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023.³
• 5 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2022.⁴
• 11 educator preparation providers (EPPs) are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.⁵

For not-for-profit schools with teacher degree programs.

Comparison of Mississippi Schools with Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Mississippi according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution, for both traditional and alternative programs, for the 2018-2019 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education reports under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality. Traditional teacher preparation programs are usually completed as part of a bachelor’s degree program. Alternative certification programs are typically designed for career changers looking to enter the field and lead to a postgraduate certificate or a master’s degree. Many schools in our table offer both traditional and alternative programs. Take a look at our Mississippi traditional and alternative certification guides for more information.

Finally, we have provided the net price per year for undergraduate tuition, based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

• — indicates none or not applicable.
• N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Mississippi

Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2022

• University of Mississippi

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2023

• University of Mississippi (#76 tie)
• Mississippi State University (#178 tie)
• William Carey University (#207-274)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2022

• University of Mississippi (#34 tie)
• Mississippi State University (#93 tie)
• William Carey University (#210 tie)
• Belhaven University (#242-321)
• Mississippi College (#242-321)

Select Mississippi Schools with Teacher Preparation Degrees

Alcorn State University

Alcorn State University is a historically black institution that offers teacher preparation programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate program focuses on the preparation of elementary school teachers and leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education. Secondary education courses are open to undergraduate students interested in this level of teaching, but no major is offered. At the graduate level, students who are not already certified teachers can complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary or Secondary Education. This alternate route to teacher certification is designed for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any other field than education. A range of other master’s degrees are also open to practicing teachers interested in further education and professional development, such as the Master of Science (MS) degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood & Reading, and Secondary Education: Special Education.

Jackson State University

The College of Education and Human Development at Jackson State University (JSU) provides numerous educator preparation programs, professional development, and educational research opportunities with a focus on urban education. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees issued. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education is available with either a K-3 or K-6 focus, both meeting state educational requirements for teacher certification. Students interested in special education programs can complete a BS, Master of Science in Education (MSEd), or an Educational Specialist (EdS). For those without an education undergraduate degree, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers an alternative route to teacher certification. Doctoral programs, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Early Childhood Education and Executive Doctor of Philosophy (EPhD) in Urban Higher Education, enable future education system leadership to develop research skills and expertise.

University of Mississippi

The School of Education at the University of Mississippi offers many opportunities to pursue a career in education, including teacher certification programs for undergraduate and graduate students. In the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (BAEd) with Special Education endorsement program, students complete core coursework and must also choose two concentration areas, such as English, science, and computers. This degree leads to certification in K-6 elementary school settings and K-12 special education settings. BAEd degrees are also available in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Health & Physical Education, and various concentrations in Secondary Education. Numerous master’s and doctoral degrees, such as the Master of Education (MEd), Educational Specialist (EdS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Elementary Education provide graduate-level instruction to educational professionals. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) provides an alternative pathway to certification for applicants without a teaching degree. Some non-licensure graduate programs are available online, including the MEd in Educational Leadership.

Schools with Associate Degrees in Education

While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate’s degree can be the first step towards a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree. The following Alabama schools offer associate’s degrees in education.¹ Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.

Coahoma Community College
3240 Friars Point Rd
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 627-2571
www.coahomacc.edu

Copiah-Lincoln Community College
1001 Co-Lin Ln
Wesson, MS 39191
(601) 643-5101
www.colin.edu

East Mississippi Community College
1512 Kemper St
Scooba, MS 39358-0158
(662) 476-5000
www.eastms.edu

Holmes Community College
1 Hill St
Goodman, MS 39079
(662) 472-2312
www.holmescc.edu

Itawamba Community College
602 W Hill St
Fulton, MS 38843-1099
(601) 862-8000
www.iccms.edu

Mississippi Delta Community College
Mississippi 3 & E Cherry St
Moorhead, MS 38761
(662) 246-6322
www.msdelta.edu

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
51 Main St
Perkinston, MS 39573
(601) 928-5211
www.mgccc.edu

Pearl River Community College
101 Hwy 11 N
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 403-1000
www.prcc.edu

Rust College*
150 Rust Ave
Holly Springs, MS 38635
(662) 252-8000
www.rustcollege.edu

Student Reviews

Mississippi State University
75 B S Hood Rd
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-2323
www.msstate.edu

Student Review: “The Teacher Preparation Program at Mississippi State University was wonderful for me and too me. This was one of the best experiences of my life. This course work set the foundation in stone for my future. The school work wasn’t the easiest but I studied every single day to make sure I know what was going in in the classes. I worked very hard to make sure I passed everything and to make sure I progressed in life. I learned a lot from this school and the program. I learned not just about school but I also learned a lot of life experiences from the teachers. After the course work, there were people that got us in touch with local schools to set up job interviews and helped us get employment right away. This program and school receive a 10/10 from me.” -Student at Mississippi State University

Student Review: “I went to a wonderful university that exposed me to challenging tasks and real-life experiences that exposed me to culture and the foundations of education. I had many opportunities to work as teams and work as in a long-term partnership in which we collaborated on for every assignment and our practicum hours in the classrooms/schools. I had many educational and professional learning opportunities which I was able to integrate with my own teaching style and meet the learning needs for a variety of students. The college I attended allowed me to meet people from all over the world, learn the different perspectives of all of these cultures, and take classes that taught me more than just teaching the average child. For example, I did take courses and attend professional development resources where I learned about many ways to appeal to the interests and needs for a wide range of students in regards to academics, behavior, or emotional/mental development.” -Student at Mississippi State University

University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677
(662) 915-7211
olemiss.edu

Student Review: “The University of Mississippi offers an excellent, fast-track way to become a teacher with its Teach Mississippi Institute program. Under this program, a person already holding a bachelor’s degree can become certified to be a classroom teacher within 12 weeks. The program is online and can be completed even by students who are out of state. The program was very helpful in giving me the knowledge needed to prepare for me to teach in a classroom. What I liked about the program was that it was flexible and I could pretty much complete the coursework at my own pace. I did not have to quit my full-time job while completing the program. The only complaint I have with the program was that it did not offer enough resources to help study for the Praxis subject area tests. However, I did pass them through studying with outside material. Overall, the University of Mississippi’s teacher certification program is a very fast, cost-effective way to become a teacher.” – Student at University of Mississippi

Student Review: “I enrolled and completed the Teach Mississippi Institute alternative route teacher licensure program offered through The University of Southern Mississippi. This educational program was a great option and resource for a working professional looking to make a career change. It allowed for over 90% of the work to be done online. At completion of the course I was able to obtain my teaching license from the State of Mississippi and immediately begin seeking employment. Overall, I believe the program covers a lot of the necessary information needed to prepare someone for entering the classroom. The main weak spot perhaps was the lack of discussion tying lesson planning into meeting state standards. I would recommend this program.” – Student at University of Mississippi

William Carey University
710 William Carey Pkwy
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 318-6051
www.wmcarey.edu

Student Review: “My experience at William Carey University has been wonderful! I am currently working on my master’s degree in gifted education. This program is 10 courses that can be finished in 5 terms. The school uses trimesters rather than semesters so I’m able to finish faster. The teachers have been fantastic. They are always open to communication and are truly there to help me when I need it. All of my classes are either online or meet on Saturdays. I love the format of the online classes and truly have learned from them. The Saturday classes aren’t as bad as they might sound because we only meet once a month and usually have interactive lessons, not just lectures. After just three terms I already feel much more prepared to be a teacher than I did with just my bachelor’s degree.” Christina B., student at William Carey University

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2022 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2021.
3. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2023: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. US Department of Education 2020 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx