Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education


Jeff Hinton, Director (Interim)
118 College Drive, Box #5057
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.5810

Askew, Chestnut, Classen, Filce, Fisher, Foster, Hill, Howell, Jones, Labat, Lee, Lipscomb, Lowrey, Lucas, Mohn, Morgan, O’Brien, Platt, Reeves, Shelley, Smith, Stricklin, Sylvest, Tingle, Tonore, Walker, Willis
 

The School of Education prepares elementary and special education teachers, as well as educational administrators, higher education professionals and researchers. The school also manages field placement, teacher candidacy (also known as student teaching), and graduate administrative internships for all educational licensure programs at the University. The School of Education also provides an alternate-route pathway for secondary teacher certification.

Professional education programs are nationally accredited through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and their appropriate specialized professional association accreditation bodies. All professional education programs within the University undergo periodic review to ensure that national and state standards are achieved and that student outcomes are appropriate. Each program adheres to a conceptual framework developed to ensure all educational licensure students graduating from The University of Southern Mississippi possess the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and diversity outcomes developed by internal and external stakeholders.

Teacher Education Licensure

The information that follows pertains to all undergraduate teacher education licensure programs at the University. Mississippi Department of Education licensure requirements supersede the program requirements listed in this Bulletin. Mandated changes in licensure requirements are communicated through the school of the teaching major. If students have questions about current licensure requirements, they should contact the University Certification Officer, Owings-McQuagge Hall 121-A, (601) 266-5522. Please note that, in addition to the requirements listed below, some teacher education licensure programs have additional grade point average, letter grade, and/or degree progression requirements that must also be met; students should consult with their program advisor for details.

Teacher Education Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to an undergraduate teacher education licensure program, the student must meet the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of a nationally normed ability/achievement assessment OR a teacher education normed entrance test:

            1. A minimum ACT composite score of 21 or a minimum SAT composite score of 1060.
            2. Acceptable scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (CORE): Reading Test Code 5712 with a minimum score of 156; Writing Test Code 5722 with a minimum score of 162; and Mathematics
                Test Code 5732 with a minimum score of 150.

  • A minimum grade of C in English Composition I and II
  • A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 on the 44 semester-hour core curriculum of pre-major coursework
  • Subscription to the Watermark Assessment System, an electronic portfolio and data storage system
  • A clear background check via www.mycb.castlebranch.com 

A student on academic probation, probation continued, or suspension cannot be admitted to a teacher education licensure program.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate in an undergraduate teacher education licensure program, the student must meet the following requirements:

  • Earn a minimum grade of C in each required course of the program curriculum (DEG 01. Major Area of Study Requirements; DEG 02. Additional Requirements; DEG 03. Teacher Licensure Requirements; etc.).
  • Maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on best attempts of total hours applied toward degree (includes all general education curriculum and program curriculum courses as detailed on the student’s degree progress report). Remedial, repeated, and unused courses are not included in the calculation.
  • Pass the Praxis II content and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests. Students must report the scores to The University of Southern Mississippi (school code #1479) prior to awarding of degree.
  • Complete a minimum of 30 clock hours of clinical experience (15 hours of observation and 15 hours of practicum). Specific programs may require additional practicum hours.
  • Satisfy any additional program-specific requirements.

Educational Field Experience Requirements

The Educational Field Experiences Office (EFE), within the School of Education, has been directed by the Professional Education Council of The University of Southern Mississippi to manage field placements and teacher candidacy (also known as student teaching).

Teacher candidacy serves as the culminating semester of every undergraduate teacher education licensure program. The semester provides students with the opportunity to apply best professional practices in diverse experiences in designated state-accredited K-12 schools or in designated international sites. The University collaborates with schools to design classroom experiences that positively influence student learning and professional development.

To be eligible for student teacher placement, the student must meet the following requirements:

  • Satisfactory completion of all required course work, except student teaching. During student teaching, students may not enroll in any additional course work. The dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences must pre-approve any exceptions to this policy.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 on best attempts of total hours applied toward degree (includes all General Education Curriculum and Program Curriculum courses as detailed on the student’s Degree Progress Report). Remedial, repeated, and unused courses are not included in the calculation.
  • Satisfy any additional program-specific requirements.
  • Register intent to complete student teaching via Watermark Assessment System by October 1 for spring term student teaching or by March 1 for fall term student teaching.
  • Complete a graduation application prior to registering for student teaching courses.
  • Agree to spend a full semester in (an) accredited K-12 school(s) arranged by the Educational Field Experiences Office.
  • Attend Professional Development Seminars scheduled by the Educational Field Experiences Office prior to, and during, the semester of student teaching.

Degree Programs

The School of Education offers three undergraduate professional teacher education licensure programs, which are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). These programs are designed to meet the licensure requirements of the state of Mississippi. Students wishing to pursue one of the following programs should consult the Teacher Education Program Requirements for program admission, progression, and teacher candidacy requirements.

BS in Elementary Education (K-6 Licensure)

Elementary education students who complete the program are prepared to meet the demands of teaching in today’s elementary schools. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for a Mississippi Educator’s License in elementary education with an endorsement in at least one content area and a supplemental reading endorsement. Areas of endorsement require the completion of 21 hours of coursework (with a minimum grade of C for each course) in one or more of the following areas: English, social studies, foreign language, mathematics, and science.

BS in Elementary Education/Special Education Licensure (Dual-Licensure)

Elementary education/special education dual licensure students who complete the program are prepared to meet the educational needs of traditional and exceptional students (mild/moderate). Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to apply for a Mississippi Educator’s License in Elementary Education and Special Education (Mild/Moderate Disabilities K-12) with a remedial reading endorsement.

BS in Special Education (K-12 Licensure)

Special education students who complete the program are eligible to apply for a Mississippi Educator’s License in Special Education (Mild/Moderate Disabilities K-12) with a remedial reading endorsement. Special education majors are strongly encouraged to select electives that lead to additional supplemental endorsements, which will enable them to meet Mississippi’s requirements for highly qualified teachers.

Secondary Alternative Route Teacher Education Pathway

The JumpStart Pathway is an option for current University of Southern Mississippi undergraduate students to begin an alternate-route teaching certificate while completing a non-licensure undergraduate degree. A junior or senior may apply to enter the pathway as a non-degree graduate student and take one graduate-level teacher education course each semester while completing a bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of the JumpStart Pathway, students are eligible to apply for a Mississippi secondary license in one or more of the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Business Education
  • Chemistry
  • English Language and Literature
  • French
  • Health Education
  • Home Economics
  • Library Media Specialist
  • Mathematics
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Social Studies
  • Spanish

For admission, students are required to:

  • Have a minimum ACT composite score of 21 OR a minimum SAT composite score of 1060 OR acceptable scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (CORE): Reading Test Code 5712 with a minimum score of 156; Writing Test Code 5722 with a minimum score of 162; and Mathematics Test Code 5732 with a minimum score of 150.
  • Have a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75 on the 44 semester-hour core curriculum of pre-major coursework.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from faculty or administration mailed to the alternate route coordinator.
  • Have a clear background check via www.mycb.castlebranch.com.
  • Meet with the alternate route coordinator for an advisement appointment.

Programs

    Bachelor of ScienceNon-degree