SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Admission Policies
The Teacher Education Program in the School of Education is composed of three phases. The first phase is the "Core Curriculum." Candidates complete the core curriculum during the freshman and sophomore years. The second phase is the "Professional Education Core." Candidates usually enter this phase at the end of the spring semester of the sophomore year or at the end of the fall semester of the junior year. Before going forward into any of the professional education courses beyond Edci 352, candidates must be admitted to Phase II. The third phase is "Student Teaching." Successful completion of background check is required prior to any field experience.
Candidates can enter Phase I: Core Curriculum as an incoming freshman or by transferring with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Criteria for admission into phases II and III are described below.
Note: Admission standards and the programs' curricula are subject to change due to mandates from accreditation agencies and the Mississippi Department of Education. Therefore, it is important for all students to meet with School of Education advisers in the Student Advising and Field Experience office for the most recent information on teacher education programs.
Admission to Phase II: Professional Education Core - Requirements for admission to teacher education are as follows:
Completion of core curriculum. Students responsible for submitting grades to the Office of the Dean for courses taken at other institutions. *Music education majors must complete the 45 hours from the liberal arts general education core and Mus 301, 302, 305, and 311.
Applicants who apply for admission to Phase II must have a 2.75 grade-point average.
Passing scores on the Praxis 1: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) or SAT or ACT scores (see below).
- PPST Scores Required: Reading: 170; Writing: 172; Math: 169
- Exemption: Students who provide proof of SAT scores of at least 860 or ACT scores of at least a 21 overall composite with no scores lower than 18 in the other 4 subject areas are exempt from taking the Praxis. (ACT or SAT scores must be from tests taken prior to admission to a college or university).
Courses Edci 352, Edsp 308, and Edsp 327 are the only professional education courses that may be taken prior to admission to Phase II. Elementary education majors may also take Edrd 355. A minimum grade of "C" in all professional education courses is required.
Note: A minimum grade of "C" is expected in all professional education courses, content courses, and related courses. If this minimum of "C" is not met, the course(s) must be retaken before enrolling in the next level of professional education courses.
Admission to Phase III: Student Teaching Applications are available through the Student Advising and Field Experience Office and are due the semester prior to student teaching.
To be admitted to student teaching, a student must meet the following requirements:
Admission to the Teacher Education Program.
A minimum grade of "C" in all professional education courses, content courses and related courses with the exception of those required during student teaching. If this minimum of "C" is not met, the course(s) must be retaken before enrolling in the next level of professional education courses.
During the student teaching semester, students must register for student teaching and EDCI 419 Effective Classroom Management and Assessment Practices. In addition, one 3-hour elective may be taken.
Completion of 15 hours in residency at The University of Mississippi (includes Tupelo, Booneville, Grenada, and DeSoto campuses).
Correspondence courses in education are not accepted.
Evidence of professional liability insurance.
Academic Regulations
Program Completion Requirements
All students must successfully complete program degree requirements approved by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Applicants for degrees in education must have earned at least 30 semester hours of credit in courses taken from the School of Education at The University of Mississippi.
Advising
Advisory services are provided during priority registration as well as regular registration through the Student Advising and Field Experience (SAFE) office. An advising team provides academic, career, and professional information to assist students in planning a program of study in their chosen degree areas. Students are assisted in identifying and registering for appropriate courses to meet their degree program requirements. Individual student records are maintained in the SAFE office. While each student is encouraged to meet regularly with the advising team, it is ultimately the studentÃs responsibility for meeting all degree requirements.