Program Overview

Secondary Education

The Secondary Education BS is designed as a flexible, hybrid program that balances university coursework with immersive, field placement opportunities. Secondary education majors are trained in evidence-based approaches to teaching and select one of six subject areas of specialization.

Program Overview

The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the State of Mississippi. It culminates with a year-long teacher residency placement that prepares students to make a difference on their first day as a teacher.

What Will I Learn?

The program engages and prepares teachers with high-quality, field-based practicum experiences that build to the residency experience. Students graduate highly skilled and immediately marketable. Additional highlights include:

• Working directly with learners in middle and high school settings
• Practicing high-quality, evidence-based instruction grounded in how people learn
• Preparation to teach the secondary subject area of their choice
• Mentorship by experienced and knowledgeable professionals invested in their success
• Participation in multiple professional development activities and programs

Teacher Residency

Teacher residency is a unique training experience allowing secondary education students to complete an immersive, school-based internship throughout the final year of the program.

• Residency begins on the first day of the school year and ends on the last day of the school year
• Coursework is offered in flexible, hybrid, and/or online delivery modes tailored to allow teacher residents to maximize time at their school-based residency placements
• Outcomes suggest that teacher residents are better prepared and report more satisfaction with their chosen profession upon completion of the residency experience
• Additional funding may be available to support teacher residency, including tuition scholarships and/or monthly stipends paid by partner districts and/or grants

Scholarships

• Gulf Park transfer students from MGCCC and PRCC in select majors are eligible for significant tuition support through the Coastal Pathways Scholarship
• Teacher residency tuition assistance and stipends may also be available to support students during the full-time residency completed in the final year of the program
• More than 70 Foundation-based scholarships are available for School of Education students each year

Hybrid Class Meetings

The secondary education degree at USM Gulf Park is designed as a two-year, hybrid program.

• Year 1 (Junior year) includes in-person and/or online/hybrid coursework which incorporates school-based experiential learning
  • Fall, Year 1: Requires approximately 30 hours of field placement
  • Spring, Year 1: Requires approximately 30 hours of field placement
• Year 2 (Senior year) includes in-person and/or online/hybrid coursework and a full academic year in a school-based teacher residency experience
  • Fall, Year 2: 3.5 days/week at school-based placement
  • Spring, Year 2: 5 days/week at school-based placement

Subject Area Specialization

Secondary education majors select one of six subject areas as their focus for content area coursework. Students may pursue more than one subject area specialization under the direction of their advisor.

• English (grades 7-12; licensure code 119)
• Biology Education (grades 7-12; licensure code 181)
• Chemistry (grades 7-12; licensure code 185)
• Mathematics (grades 7-12; licensure code 154)
• Physics (grades 7-12; licensure code 189)
• Social Studies/History (grades 7-12; licensure code 192)

Mississippi Licensure Requirements

Mississippi undergraduate teacher education licensure requirements:

• A minimum ACT composite score of 21 (single test date) or equivalent SAT composite score (single test date)
• Qualifying scores on the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (CORE)
• Completion of a minimum of 60 hours of college credit with a minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Programs at The University of Southern Mississippi that prepare students for initial licensure in secondary education are designed to meet the licensure standards set by the Mississippi Department of Education. Students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to determine specific requirements of guidelines for reciprocity.

Faculty Engagement

USM faculty are committed to providing challenging and rewarding experiences for students through both didactic and field-based methods throughout the program. This provides teacher candidates multiple opportunities to observe and work one-on-one with diverse students in numerous school settings. Faculty effectively engage and support students as they progress in the program and build their knowledge and skills within the structured curriculum.

Availability

• Degree Plan: Secondary Education BS
• Availability: Gulf Park, Hybrid

College of Education and Human Sciences

The College of Education and Human Sciences offers the Secondary Education BS program.

Career Options

• Middle School Teacher
• High School Teacher
• Graduate School

Recent Program Alumni

Notable alumni include:

• Jeanetta Jackson, 2018 Nichols Middle School Teacher of the Year
• Kim Mancuso, MACTE Outstanding Professional Educator Award