The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education offers two degree programs that can be completed, in part or in whole, in an online format.
Elementary Education
The Elementary Education degree program can be completed online, including both the middle school and the early childhood concentrations. While the courses are all offered online, several of the elementary education courses taken during the last two years of the degree program require extensive field experiences. The early childhood miniblock (RDG 3113, RDG 3123 and EDE 3123) requires 30 hours of fieldwork in a K-3 classroom. The middle grades miniblock (RDG 3413, RDG 3423 and EDE 3223) requires 30 hours of fieldwork in a 4-8 classroom. The senior methods block (EDE 4113, EDE 4123, RDG 4133 and EDE 4143) requires more than 100 hours of fieldwork in a K-8 classroom, and the degree program culminates with the elementary education internship, which requires participation in a K-8 classroom all day, every day, for 15 weeks. While the courses are online and largely asynchronous, you must be able to complete these field experiences to complete the degree.
Master of Arts in Teaching-Secondary
The Master of Arts in Teaching-Secondary degree leads to an initial teaching license in secondary education. Students earn initial licensure and then teach full time in a K-12 classroom while completing the degree. The degree can be completed almost entirely online via distance learning from virtually anywhere in the state of Mississippi and beyond. Students can also complete some coursework via distance and some coursework face-to-face on the Starkville or Meridian campuses. Concentrations in the MAT-S degree that lead to 7-12 licensure include chemistry, biology, physics, math, English/Language Arts, social studies and business. Concentrations that lead to K-12 licensure include music, art, and physical education.
Master of Arts in Teaching-Middle Level
The Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Level (MAT-M) requires 36 semester hours of graduate coursework and successful completion of a comprehensive written examination. The MAT-M program is completely online and is designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in a non-education field who wish to teach grades four through eight. Students who begin the program in the spring or summer (depending on the program of study) are eligible to begin teaching in the fall, and scholarships and mentoring are available.
