Master of Arts in Teaching - Elementary Alternate Route (MAT-ELAR)

Apply Now

About MSU Teacher Residency

What is the MAT-ELAR program?

The Master of Arts in Teach – Elementary Alternate Route (MAT-ELAR) program is designed especially for who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field and are seeking an initial teaching license in elementary education to teach grades kindergarten – 6^th grade. The MAT-ELAR is a specialized program designed for aspiring elementary teachers (grades K-6), offering an alternate route to licensure. The program aims to create highly competent elementary teachers through a combination of intensive residency experiences, rigorous graduate-level teacher training, and coursework.

While all individuals with a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university are invited to apply, we particularly encourage diverse applicants such as people of color, men, and veterans from the Armed Forces that are traditionally underrepresented in the education field, as well as teacher assistants to an intensive yearlong preservice clinical graduate program alongside strong mentoring by an accomplished teacher in the K-6 classroom setting resulting in elementary (K-6) certification.

Through the program students will be eligible to receive a:

• 3-year Class A non-renewable license after completion of EPY 8473, EDE 8113 and EDX 8173. If you have already completed a master’s degree, you will not be able to upgrade your license to master’s level with the 3-year license.
• 5-year Class AA renewable license after receiving a 3-year Class A non-renewable license and completed the full master's degree as well as passing the Foundations of Reading Test and Praxis II: 5017 Elementary Education Content Knowledge. If you have already completed a master’s degree, you will be able to upgrade your license to master’s level after your 5-year license is issued.

• Master of Arts in Teaching Degree with a passing score on the comprehensive examination.

Program Highlights

The curriculum is designed with academic and experiential components to ensure alignment with the requirements for initial licensure programs as part of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards

36 hours are required to complete the program

Courses are tailored to meet the needs of working teachers, assistant teachers, and paraprofessionals

Curriculum & field experiences designed around the Learning Cycle model that connects learning about teaching with real-life classroom experiences

Residents are paired with a mentor teacher at their school to receive comprehensive support, feedback on teaching, and other essential guidance from their mentors

Program Structure

The MAT-ELAR program employs a residency model that is highly field-intensive and rooted in clinical practice within an elementary public school setting. Students enrolled in the MAT-ELAR program, referred to as residents, will undergo an induction camp, followed by a combination of coursework and residency experiences. These experiences integrate placement and evidence-based teaching methodologies, centered around the Learning Cycle model, which connects theoretical learning about teaching with practical classroom experiences.

Curriculum

Upon successfully completing the initial licensure courses, which include EPY 8473, EDE 8113, and EDX 8173, students will be eligible to apply for a Mississippi 3-year Class A non-renewable resident teacher license.

All students must be admitted to the MAT-ELAR program to register for Internship I and Internship II. Additionally, students must secure a full-time classroom teaching position in a public school as a teacher, teacher assistant, or other paraprofessional in an elementary (Kindergarten – 6th grade) classroom before registering for these internships. Internship I and Internship II constitute the residency component of the program and can be completed in any grade from kindergarten through 6th grade in a public school.

The resident teaching license is converted to a regular teaching license upon successful completion of all program requirements and passing the licensure exams.

Students will complete a comprehensive examination in the final semester of enrollment.

Admissions Requirements

Please Note: We are not currently able to admit students living in the state of Georgia.

Steps 1-5 must be completed by:

• December 1 to be considered for spring admission.
• May 1 to be considered for summer admission.
• August 1 to be considered for fall admission.

Please contact Matt Blackwell by phone at (601)484-0133 or mblackwell@meridian.msstate.edu  prior to beginning the application process.

Candidates should:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally/nationally-accredited institution of higher learning.
2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) on the last 60 credit hours of baccalaureate work.
3. Meet the Mississippi score requirements on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests (CORE) or have a composite ACT score of at least 21 or have a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 hours of course work.
   
   • For more information on the Praxis CORE and Praxis II tests:
   • Have Praxis CORE and Praxis II test scores sent to MSU and to MDE (Mississippi Department of Education). Applicants should also print a copy of Praxis Core and Praxis II scores from the ETS website for their personal records.
     
     • Praxis Core: www.ets.org/praxis/about/core or an ACT score of 21.
     • Call 1.800.772.9476 for a customer service representative for Praxis tests
     • Call 662.325.6610 for MSU testing center
4. Submit an online application to the Office of the Graduate School.
5. Complete a background check through CastleBranch. Enter Package Code MI43 (send proof of purchase to Matthew Blackwell).

Please note that your application will not be considered until all forms have been submitted and your application fee has been paid.

Academic Advising

After gaining admission to the university, you must contact your advisor to determine the courses that are most appropriate for you to take. Before the upcoming semester, your advisor will send an email to your MSU account, making course recommendations based on your program of study. Virtual individual and group advising sessions may also take place.

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.

Matthew Blackwell

• Coordinator

mblackwell@meridian.msstate.edu 601-484-0133