The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is in charge of public K-12 education in the Magnolia State. Led by the State Superintendent of Education, its main functions include setting the policies, standards, and regulations for public schools. The MDE also oversees the effective implementation of state and federal education-related programs and the improvement of K-12 student outcomes.
More than 457,000 students were enrolled in its 137 school districts, with 1,013 schools (2022). More than 31,000 teachers were employed, resulting in a 1:15 teacher-to-student ratio. Mississippi spends $9,653 per student, on average – lower than the national average – and yet it’s considered an up-and-coming national leader in education.
According to Education Week’s Quality Counts, Mississippi ranked #2 nationwide for its improvements in K-12 educational parameters (2019, 2020, and 2021). The National Assessment of Educational Progress agrees with Mississippi’s ranking for NAEP gains in the 2011-2022 period, ranging from #1 to #7 in Reading and Math n the fourth and eighth grades. The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) considers Mississippi as among the five states that meet its ten quality standards for early childhood education.
Mississippi continues to make significant gains in other areas, too. Literacy skills among pre-K to third-grade students have steadily improved. Proficiency rates in English language arts and maths have increased from 32% to 46.7% (2015-2023). Graduation rates have increased to 89.4% (2023), and the dropout rate has decreased to 8.2% (2023).
Indeed, The Magnolia State is blossoming in the education sector. If you want to become part of its success, you should consider earning a teacher’s license in the state. Here’s what you need to know to get started on the right foot.
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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in Mississippi
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), particularly its Division of Educator Licensure, is also the state agency responsible for the teacher licensure process. The MDE implements the policies, rules and regulations recommended by the Mississippi State Board of Education in this regard.
Aspiring and current teachers must create their accounts on the Mississippi Educator Career Continuum Archive (MECCA) system. You will be provided with an Educator ID number that will be used with every transaction.
Applications for initial teaching licenses and renewals must be supported with the appropriate documents. The supporting documents must be uploaded along with the licensure request. In case of an incomplete request and supporting documents, you will receive a requirement email with details about lacking information and documents.
Mississippi issues two types of teacher licenses in the traditional route.
Pre-Service Teacher License
The eligibility requirements include:
- Admission into a state-approved teacher preparation program in Mississippi or another US state. The program must lead to teaching licensure and requires field experience/clinical practice in Mississippi schools
- The educator preparation provider (EPP) submits a request for teaching licensure on the applicant’s behalf
- The applicant submits complete and appropriate supporting documents (e.g., cleared criminal background check)
Resident Teacher License
The eligibility requirements include:
- Admission into a state-approved Mississippi Teacher Residency program
- Completion of a two-year teaching experience
The three-year Resident Teacher License has a five-year renewable option. The five-year teacher license requires completion of a state-approved or NCATE-approved, or CAEP-approved teacher preparation program offered by a regionally or nationally accredited university. The EPP must provide an online official recommendation on behalf of the teacher-applicant.
Mississippi educators can apply for one of the four class levels of teaching licenses.
1. Class A
The Class A license is for professionals who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in teacher education with student teaching experience from a state-approved program
- 21 ACT score (or SAT equivalent) OR Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam qualifying passing score OR 3.0 GPA minimum on a state-approved 60-credit program
- Praxis Subject Assessment qualifying passing scores
- Praxis: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) qualifying passing scores
2. Class AA
The Class AA license requires applicants to meet the five-year Class A license requirements. Applicants must also possess a master’s degree in their requested endorsement area.
3. Class AAA
The Class AAA license is the specialist degree-level license. Teacher-applicants with a Master of Fine Arts or a Juris Doctorate fall under this category. Besides meeting the five-year Class A licensure requirements, applicants must also possess a specialist degree in their requested endorsement.
4. Class AAAA
The Class AAAA license requirements include those for the five-year Class A license. Applicants must also possess a doctoral degree in their requested endorsement area.
The renewal of teaching licenses requires compliance with professional development activities. The number of credits, units, or hours depends on the class of license. These include continuing education credits and semester hours in the specific content area and completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process.
Mississippi also issues Special Subject Five-year Educator Licenses, including:
- Dyslexia Therapy (K-12)
- Special Education Birth-Kindergarten (B-K)
- Special Education Mild/Moderate Disability (K-12)
- School Business Administrator
There are also several non-traditional alternate routes for teaching licenses, including:
- American Board Certification
- iteach Mississippi
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Mississippi Performance-Based License
- Mississippi Teacher Residency Program
- Teach Mississippi Institute
In the following section, we only included online universities that offer traditional undergraduate and graduate degree in education programs.
Online Education Program Admission Requirements
The following are the typical admission requirements for online bachelor’s degree in education programs:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Official transcripts
- Completed online application form and application fee payment
These are the typical admission requirements for an online graduate degree in education programs:
- Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
- Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Professional resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose or personal essays
- Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE), if required
Relevant work experience and a valid teaching certificate are also usually required.
Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in Mississippi
- Elementary School Teachers $58,239
- Middle School Teachers $58,990
- High School Teachers $59,000
- Special Education Teachers $56,247
- Superintendents $159,477
- School Administrators $106,831
- Principals $105,844
- Assistant Principals $86,902
- Curriculum Developers $59,650
- Instructional Coordinators $69,390
Scholarships for Future Educators in Mississippi
- The Mississippi Professional Educators offers several scholarships for aspiring and current educators and administrators. These include the $1,000 Classroom Grants and the $1,000 Administrator School Grants.
- The Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan (TES) program awards up to $15,000 per year to high school students planning on pursuing a teaching career.
The 5 Best Online Education Degree Providers in Mississippi
These five universities in Mississippi were selected based on the following criteria:
- Have regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Approved by the Mississippi Department of Education to provide teacher preparation programs
- Gained programmatic accreditation from the CAEP – Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Provide excellent academics, quality of instruction, and student support services
Mississippi State University
MSU, a public land-grant research university, is known for its high research activity – it has the largest total research and development budget in the state. Students in its online degree in education programs benefit from the emphasis on research skills development. This is instrumental in the 93% successful career outcomes rate.
- BS in Elementary Education
Students choose from two concentrations – Early Childhood or Middle School – and earn the academic credential for a teaching license. The program also offers add-on endorsements.
- MS in Secondary Education
The 30-credit program provides aspiring and current teachers with skills in advanced classroom teaching practices. Graduates can use their academic credentials to apply for a Class AA license.
- MA in Teaching – Special Education
This is an alternative teacher licensure program where graduates also receive a mild/ moderate special education endorsement. Graduates are eligible for a 3-year Class A license subject to compliance with other requirements.
MSU also offers these online education programs.
- MS in Instructional Technology
- MS in Educational Leadership with concentrations in:
- School Administration
- Teacher Leadership
- MA Teaching – Secondary Teacher Alternate Route
- EdS in Education with concentrations in:
- Teacher Leadership
- School Administration
- School Psychology
- EdD in Educational Policy and Organizational Design
- PhD in Community College Leadership
- In-state Tuition: $9,815
- Online Education Degrees: 8
- Homepage
University of Southern Mississippi
Southern Miss, a public research university, offers a wide range of exceptional undergraduate and graduate degrees in education programs. The College of Education and Human Sciences – School of Education ensures that online students receive excellent instruction and student support services toward their academic success.
- BS in Elementary Education
Teacher assistants working in general K-6 classrooms in Mississippi are welcome to apply. The 121-hour program can be completed in 2-4 years, depending on your transfer credits, course load, and completion of other degree requirements. Students can also choose from several endorsements including social studies, mathematics, and English, as well as earn a supplemental reading endorsement.
- MEd in Dyslexia Therapy
The 30-hour program is the first of its kind in Mississippi. Students learn as a cohort and complete the program in two years.
- MEd in Special Education
Students in the 33-credit program choose from concentrations in:
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities
- Emotional/Behavior Disorders
- Severe/Low Incidence Disabilities
- MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision
The 34-hour program can be completed in four semesters and requires an internship.
Check out these online programs, too.
- MEd in Higher Education – Student Affairs Administration
- MEd in Educational Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education
- MMEd in Music Education
- MA in Teaching Secondary Teacher Education (Alternate Route)
- MA in Teaching of Languages
- MA in Teaching of Languages – Spanish
- MA in Teaching of Languages – French
- EdD in Educational Administration
- EdD in Higher Education Administration
- In-state Tuition: $9,618
- Online Education Degrees: 13
- Homepage
Jackson State University
JSU, a nationally recognized public historically black research university, has a long history of teacher education. Among its names was the Jackson College for Negro Teachers (1944). Today, it’s a Thurgood Marshall College Fund member and an R2: Doctoral University.
- MA in Teaching (Alternate Route)
This is a teacher licensure program for individuals without a bachelor’s degree in education. Students complete certification testing and a one-year teaching internship.
- EdS in Special Education
Applicants must possess a master’s degree with an overall 3.0 GPA and a Class AA license. Students tackle a rigorous curriculum designed to develop advanced knowledge and skills in special education. There’s also an emphasis on addressing the current trends and issues in the field as educational leaders.
Other programs:
- MS in Education in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Teaching – Elementary and Secondary Education Concentration
- MSM in Teaching (Biology Concentration)
- MS in Educational Administration and Supervision
- MS in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
- MS in Reading
- MS in Special Education
- EdS in School Counseling
- EdS in Educational Administration and Supervision K12
- In-state Tuition: $8,445
- Online Education Degrees: 11
- Homepage
Delta State University
Established as the Delta State Teachers College, DSU also has a longstanding history of academic excellence in teacher preparation programs. Nowadays, it offers many online degrees in education programs through its Division of Teacher Education, Leadership, and Research.
- MA in Teaching
If you’re interested in becoming a licensed classroom teacher in the elementary and secondary grades or special subjects, then consider the MA in Teaching degree. Individuals seeking a master’s degree in teaching but aren’t seeking teaching licensure are also welcome. The cohort program offers endorsement in a wide range of fields, including biology, elementary education, and math, among others.
- MEd in Elementary Education
This is a one-year program that enables students to complete one class at a time during the fall and spring semesters as well as two courses in the summer.
- MEd Secondary Education – English
Graduates are eligible for a Class AA teaching license in secondary classroom settings. Students learn advanced competencies in planning, implementing, and evaluating lesson plans in English language arts.
DSU also offers these excellent online graduate programs in education.
- MEd in Counseling
- MEd in Educational Administration & Supervision
- EdS in Administration and Supervision
- EdS in Counseling
- EdS in Elementary Education
- EdS in Higher Education
- EdS in Curriculum and Instruction
- In-state Tuition: $8,605
- Online Education Degrees: 10
- Homepage
Belhaven University
As a private evangelical Christian university, Belhaven enables its students to discover their gifts and develop their skills while also growing in their faith. There’s an emphasis on the liberal arts, meaning students and graduates are well-prepared for success in a wide range of fields.
- MEd in Curriculum and Instruction Generalist
Students in the 33-credit program gain advanced competencies in curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation at K-12 levels. The challenging curriculum also covers recent innovations and issues in the education sector and leadership skills for greater accountability. Students can earn a TESOL Licensure Endorsement, too.
- MEd in Reading Literacy
The program emphasizes effective skills in the diagnosis and assessment of reading deficiencies among elementary and secondary students. Students learn the best practices for the improvement of their abilities to meet reading literacy requirements among themselves and their fellow teachers. The program offers the option of earning a K-6/Reading Literacy Certificate, too.
- EdS in Education
This is a licensure program that requires candidates to possess a master’s degree in education or another related field with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students, however, can also choose the non-licensure track, which has similar admission requirements.
Belhaven also offers these exceptional online programs in education.
- MEd in School Leadership and Administration
- MA in Teaching
- EdD in Educational Leadership
- In-state Tuition: $29,195
- Online Education Degrees: 6
- Homepage
Directory of Online Education Degree Providers in Mississippi
William Carey University
- Location: Hattiesburg, MS
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 10
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $14,685
- BA and BS in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
- BA and BS in Physical Education
- BS in Secondary Education
- MA in Teaching Art of Teaching – Alternate Route
- MEd in Education with concentrations in:
- Art Education
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Biology
- English
- Gifted Education
- Mathematics
- Mild/Moderate Disabilities
- Social Science
- Emotional And Behavioral Disorders
- MEd in Educational Leadership
- MME in Music Education
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Instructional Leadership
- EdD in Educational Leadership
Mississippi College
- Location: Clinton, MS
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 6
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $21,698
- MEd in Curriculum and Instruction
- MEd in Educational Leadership
- MEd in Elementary Education
- MEd in Special Education
- MEd in Teaching Arts
- EdS in Educational Leadership with concentrations in:
- K-12 Administration
- Curriculum and Instruction
Alcorn State University
- Location: Lorman, MS
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 2
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $8,549
- MS in Secondary Education (Endorsement in Special Education)
- Specialist in Elementary Education
The University of Mississippi Online
- Location: Oxford, MS
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 3
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $9,412
- EdS in Counselor Education—Play Therapy Track
- EdS in Education Leadership
- EdD in Higher Education
Mississippi University for Women
- Location: Columbus, MS
- Number of Online Education Degrees: 3
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Average Tuition and Fees: $8,092
- BS in Elementary Education
- MEd in Education
- MAT in Teaching
