Get Started on Your Degree Online Today!

Motivate the children of our future by becoming a pre-K-3rd grade or a K-6th grade teacher from almost anywhere. This online program will allow students to participate in innovative and engaging education courses to provide them with the most current and evidence-based practices.

Once you’ve obtained your Mississippi teaching license, you can then apply for reciprocity in the state where you’d like to teach.

To view the application and learn more about licensure in the state of Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Department of Education website. Also, review the Licensure Application Checklist. For more information about licensure, please visit the Office of Clinical and Field Based Instruction.

(*We are no longer able to place students in Georgia.)

Program highlights:

  • Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of online learning, and you can earn your degree from just about anywhere in the state or the world.
  • Complete your field experiences and student teaching internship at an elementary or middle school in or near your hometown.
  • Courses, assignments, and requirements will parallel the on-campus program, which means you earn the same degree you would get on campus.
What are some potential careers?

This degree will lead you into teaching young people in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Who should pursue this degree?

If you have a desire to provide direction and instruction to children in their formative years, you should consider a B.S. degree in elementary education.

Program Structure

The Elementary Education Online Program is designed to prepare teacher candidates with the essential foundations for instructing children in preK-6th grade. Teacher candidates will choose either an early childhood or middle school concentration. In addition to the elementary licensure, candidates can also earn add-on endorsements.

Curriculum Requirements

Important Information About Field Experiences

The Elementary Education Online Program offers an opportunity for teacher candidates to complete the Elementary Education program completely online. During a teacher candidate's junior and senior year in the program, the courses will require the following field experience hours:

  • Early Block: 15 hours in K-3rd grade classrooms
  • Middle Block: 25 hours in 4th-8th grade classrooms
  • Senior Block: 13 full days in 2nd-8th grade classrooms
  • Teaching Internships: Full-time in a K-6th classroom

Licensure

You will ONLY be licensed to teach in the state of Mississippi when you finish your Elementary Education degree online. If you plan to teach in another state, you are responsible for contacting your own state Department of Education to find out the requirements for a teaching license in that state.

**We are no longer able to place students in Georgia for an internship. Residents living in the state of Georgia will not be eligible to teach in Georgia.**

Endorsements

It is possible to add other subject areas (called endorsements) to your 5-year renewable licenses. Most endorsements may be added by either having 18 credit hours in the content area or by passing the Praxis II for that area. For more information on endorsements, visit the Office of Clinical/Field-based Instruction and Licensure website.

 

Instructors

In our quest to provide the best educational experience through Online Education, we have employed top quality instructors for our classes. All classes have instructors who are recognized experts in their field of study. Each instructor will be available for questions and discussion throughout each course. These instructors are real-life practitioners with advanced degrees who are experts in their areas of specialization.

Admissions Process

New Admissions

If you have never attended Mississippi State University, please complete the online Undergraduate Admissions Application. All new admits will pay a non-refundable application fee online.

  • Send a copy of your unofficial transcript to elemonline@colled.msstate.edu so it can be evaluated to see if you are ready to start the Elementary Education online program.
  • You will choose Elementary Education as your major and Online Education as your campus.
  • Select either early childhood concentration (preK-3rd) or a middle school concentration (K-6th).
  • Request that official ACT or SAT scores be sent to MSU.
  • Request that your high school send your official transcript. Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
  • Submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended.
  • If you are able to submit official transcripts and other documentation electronically, you may send them to admit@msstate.edu.
  • If you are unable to submit official transcripts and other documentation electronically, you may send them via U.S. Postal Service to:
    Office of Admissions & Scholarships
    P.O. Box 6334
    Mississippi State, MS 39762

Program Admissions

Once admitted to Mississippi State University, candidates may complete general education coursework in preparation for admission into Teacher Education. The Elementary Education Online Program teacher candidates must meet the requirements for admissions into Teacher Education before beginning the last four semesters of the coursework and field experiences.

  • Have minimum 2.50 overall GPA
  • Have minimum GPA of 2.75 for 44 hours of core curriculum coursework, including the 36-hour general education curriculum that is required for all majors.
  • Submit two recommendation forms from educators.
  • Verify 40 hours of work experience with children.
  • Submit test scores: ACT composite score of 21 or higher OR Praxis Core scores of at least 156 for reading, 162 for writing, and 130 for mathematics.
    • Visit www.ets.org to learn more about Praxis Core, test dates and sites, and practice materials.
  • Obtain certified background check through mycb.castlebranch.com (MSU's code is MI43).
  • Submit proof of professional liability insurance.

Contact Information

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Anusha Rijal

Online Education

  • Coordinator
662-325-8876
Headshot photo of Stephanie Etheridge

Stephanie Etheridge

Elementary Education

  • Advisor
Phone: 662-325-1999
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College of Education

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Department of CISE