FAQ

The College of Education provides training for a wide variety of career choices, both in the field of teaching and in non-teaching fields. If you are interested in teaching, the College of Education is the obvious choice. With degrees in elementary education, special education, teaching/coaching, and in the various concentrations at the secondary education level (Math education, English education, Social Studies education, etc.), and others, we train students to teach at all levels. Even if your interests are not in the field of teaching, the College of Education may have something for you.

We train students to be counselors and musicians, to work in industrial settings or in Allied Health professions, and for a variety of other career choices as well. We encourage students who are interested to visit our department's home pages and review the degree programs available. If your interests lie in teaching or in one of the other career options available to our graduates, the College of Education is right for you.

 

Teacher Education programs generally have the following admission requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 GPA on 44 hours of coursework (including the 36-hour core)
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Grades of C or higher in English Composition I and II and in your college Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning, or other higher level math course
  • An ACT composite score of 21 (or SAT equivalent score) OR the following Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators scores: Reading –156, Writing — 162, and Math — 150
  • Verification of 40 hours of work with children/youth
  • Two recommendations from educators
  • Completion of a Licensure Advisory Form and a Dispositions Advisory Form
  • Submission to a Criminal Background check

Non-Teacher program admission requirements vary by program. Students are encouraged to check with the departments offering the program you are interested in.

 

Once admitted to MSU, students are encouraged to apply for scholarships. Log in to your MyState account using your NetID and NetPassword. On the Banner tab, under the Financial Aid and Scholarships column, click "Submit/Revise General Scholarship Application". A new window will pop up and you'll need to log in again using your NetID and NetPassword. Don't forget to click the 'Save' button! After you complete and submit your general application, additional opportunities may become available over time, so students are encouraged to log in regularly and check their account. 

In addition, the following programs may be of interest:

Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act

There are 48 school districts eligible for the incentives and scholarships made available through funds from HB #609, the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act. Critical Shortage Areas

Mississippi Troops to Teachers

The Troops to Teachers (TTT) program enriches the quality of American education by placing mature, motivated, experienced, and dedicated individuals in our nation's classrooms. Thousands of military retirees, separating active duty, and currently drilling members of the reserve components are discovering new and rewarding careers in teaching our nation's children. Veterans who become public school teachers are "proud to serve again." Click here to visit the website.

 

The departments in the College of Education offer a variety of degree programs which train students for careers outside of teaching.

The Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology offers an undergraduate program in Educational Psychology and Graduate programs in Counseling, Educational Psychology, and School Psychology.

The Department of Instructional Systems and Workforce Development offers undergraduate programs in Industrial Technology and Information Technology Services (ITS) and graduate programs in Technology, Instructional Technology, and Instructional Systems and Workforce Development. These can prepare students for employment leading to supervisory and management positions in the production, automation, maintenance or logistics areas of industry (Industrial Technology); or for the use of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and hardware, and the development and implementation of technology user support (ITS).

The Department of Kinesiology offers undergraduate programs in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Health Fitness Studies, and Sport Studies; and graduate programs in Applied Physiology and Sport Administration. These degree programs offer students training for a variety of Allied Health and sports-related professions.

The Department of Leadership and Foundations offers graduate programs for students interested in school administration: School Administration; Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education Administration; Community College Leadership; and Workforce Education Leadership. These prepare students to work with teachers in an administrative capacity.

The Department of Music offers an undergraduate degree in Music, which is a flexible program designed to provide the talented musician the opportunity to explore music study on various levels and varied areas.

 

You can visit http://teach.k12.ms.us/index.html to see where teaching positions are currently open in the state of Mississippi. Further, graduating students can participate in Education Interview Day, a one-day interview event held each November and April, where up to 60 Mississippi and out-of-state school districts come to MSU to interview potential new teachers.