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 a reading endorsement and at least one content area endorsement. Areas of content endorsement include but are not limited to English, social studies, foreign language, science (general, biology, chemistry, or physics), and mathematics.
Elementary Education BS Degree Requirements (121 hours)
Elementary Education BS Semester Guide
Availability: Hattiesburg Campus; Gulf Park Campus; and Online 100% (for Teacher Assistants)
Admission Requirements:
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
Licensure: This program is designed to meet the licensure requirements of the State of Mississippi Department of Education. Students who plan to complete this program should consult the Teacher Education Program Requirements for program admission, progression, and teacher candidacy requirements.
Elementary Education Program Progression Requirements:
All general university academic policies apply: University Academic Policies and Requirements
In addition, students in the Elementary Education BS will progress through the program in three distinct phases. Students are required to be in good academic standing to progress from one phase to the next. In each phase, students must adhere to the requirements for professional dispositions.
Phase 1: Introductory Phase (59 hours)
All students who are eligible for admission to USM (see University Admissions Policies) are eligible to declare Elementary Education as their major and begin progressing through the Introductory Phase of the program.
The Introductory Phase includes:
- Completion of the USM GEC 01-06 or its transfer equivalent
- Documented eligibility for practicum field placements
- Earned minimum grade of C in English Composition I and English Composition II
- Successful completion of any relevant Phase I endorsement courses
In order to progress from the Introductory Phase to the Emerging Educator Phase students must have satisfied all requirements of the Introductory Phase.
Phase 2: Emerging Educator Phase (32 hours)
Successful completion requires a minimum grade of C in each course of this phase.
The Emerging Educator Phase includes the introductory block and intermediate block of coursework as outlined in the degree plan.
In order to progress from the Emerging Educator Phase to the Professional Educator Phase, students must have successfully satisfied all requirements of the Emerging Educator Phase.
Phase 3: Professional Educator Phase (30 hours)
Successful completion requires a minimum grade of C in each course of this phase and includes the senior block courses and student teaching.
Students have two potential pathways to complete the student teaching requirement of the Professional Educator Phase; traditional student teaching or teacher residency.
Traditional Student Teaching: In this pathway, students will complete remaining coursework during the first semester followed by 12 hours of student teaching in the final semester.
Teacher Residency: In this pathway, selected students can complete remaining coursework while simultaneously completing a full academic year placement in a field setting with a qualified mentor teacher in an approved school district.
