Geography and Geology Community College Teaching Certificate

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The Geography and Geology Community College Teaching Certificate is a post-baccalaureate program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the interrelated earth systems.
While this certificate does not grant professional credentials or licensure in geology or geography, it fulfills the credit-hour requirements to teach these subjects at the community college level. This program is ideal for individuals looking to transition into education or integrate their background in geography or geology into community college instruction.

Program Highlights

In-State Tuition for All: Online students benefit from in-state tuition rates, regardless of location.
Flexible: The program offers a flexible way for students to build a strong foundation in geology and geography at the post-baccalaureate level.
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, allowing students to participate from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.
Stackable: The certificate serves as a stackable credential that can lead into other online master’s degree programs, including the Master of Arts in Teaching Community College Education and the Master of Science in Environmental Geosciences, providing clear pathways for academic and professional growth.

Who should pursue this certificate?

This program is designed for individuals seeking to meet the academic requirements to teach geography and geology at the community college level. It is also beneficial for those who wish to pursue additional certification in geosciences education.

What are some potential careers?

Graduates of this program will be prepared to teach geography and geology at community colleges. Additionally, they may pursue careers in various sectors requiring expertise in these fields, including public agencies, environmental organizations, and private consulting and industries, where they can work as consultants, researchers, or public educators.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Program Structure

Course Number	Title	Credit Hours
GG 6543	Community Engagement in Environmental Geosciences	3
GR 6863	Forensic Geoscience	3
GG 8233	Environmental Geoscience	3
GR 8813	Advanced Natural Hazards and Disasters	3
Six credit hours of GR or GG courses at the 6000-level or higher		6
Total Hours		18

Required Courses

GG 6543 Community Engagement in Environmental Geosciences. Three hours lecture. Research topics, field practices, and community engagement opportunities related to Environmental Geosciences. Activities include citizen science contributions and design; local field experiences to identify and evaluate various environmental concerns impacting communities; conduct community environmental sustainability evaluations; and develop environmental geosciences-focused community engagement events

GR 6863 Forensic Geoscience. (Prerequisite: GG 1113, GR 1114 or GR 1604). Three hours lecture. Multidisciplinary study using all branches of geoscience in investigating criminal offenses, reconstructing accidents and as evidence in civil and criminal court cases

GG 8233 Environmental Geoscience. Three hours video and online. Study of current environmental problems associated with the earth science realms; atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Primarily for K-12 science teachers

GR 8813 Advanced Natural Hazards and Disasters. Three hours lecture. Advanced study of the processes, distribution and impacts of hazards and disasters

Additional Six credit hours of GR or GG courses at the 6000-level or higher

Admissions Process

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

Fall Semester – August 1
Spring Semester – December 1
Summer Semester - May 1

Graduate Admissions

Submit an online application. You will choose Geography and Geology Community College Teaching Certificate as your program of interest and Online Education as your campus.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students. Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and earn a score of 550 or higher. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.

ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. If you have taken the TOEFL within 5 yrs of the semester in which you plan to enroll, and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, MSU will accept your previous TOEFL test scores.

Academic Advising

Upon gaining admission to the university, you must contact your academic advisor to determine the courses most appropriate to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU email account, making course recommendations based on your program of study.

Mississippi State University uses email as its official means of communication with all MSU students. Please check your MSU email account (NetID@msstate.edu) daily. Information on setting up your MSU email can be found at the link for student services.