The information provided within this document is to advise you of current licensure requirements. This document and licensure guidelines may change without notice. It is the responsibility of the applicant to remain abreast of licensure requirements.
1. Traditional Baccalaureate Teacher Education Program Candidate
A five year educator license is granted to applicants meeting all licensing requirements and completing a state approved or National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approved teacher education program from a regionally/nationally accredited institution of higher learning.
Minimum requirements for licensure:
- Educational courses
- A full semester of student teaching
- Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching Test
- Praxis II: Specialty Area Test in Degree Area
- Mississippi Test Requirements
Praxis tests are administered by the Education Testing Services (ETS). You may register by telephone at 1-800-772-9476 or www.ets.org/praxis.
Supplemental endorsements may be added to a valid three-year alternate route or five-year traditional Mississippi License.
Endorsements with 18 or 21 hours
Teachers who wish to add endorsements for most major subject areas may take the Praxis II test or have 18-21 hours of coursework.
*18 hrs are required if all coursework was completed prior to 9/1/04.
*21 hrs are required if any portion of the coursework was completed after 9/1/04.
***Grades must be C or higher
Endorsements with Approved Program
Some supplemental endorsements require an approved program of study. The programs are different at each college and for each endorsement. The Dean of Education or designee shall advise the teaching candidate of the required coursework, and an institutional recommendation must be signed by the Dean or Institutional Certification Officer in order to add the endorsement to the license.
2. Licensed Teacher Completing Master’s Degree
If a licensed teacher completes a master’s degree in a specific subject area endorsed by the Mississippi Department of Education, the individual will receive a Class AA license in that specific area.
If a licensed teacher completes a master’s degree in a general area of education, such as secondary education or curriculum and instruction, the individual will received a Class AA license in the area of their bachelor level degree earned if it is in a subject area endorsed by the Mississippi Department of Education.
* This does not include special licenses such as educational leadership, school counseling, and other support services provided to students.
3. Basic Application for Procedures for Licensure
- Download Licensure Application Packet (Form #OEL 02-04, Sec. A-F)
- Read Licensure Instructions and Checklist (Form #OEL 02-04, Sec. A, pp1-3) to locate the license to which you are applying.
- Collect documents required for your license and check the correlating boxes on Licensure Checklist (Form #OEL 02-04, Sec. B).
- Complete Licensure Application (Form #OEL 02-04, Sec. B).
- Send Licensure Application Packet and all documents required in your license category as a single complete packet to:
Mississippi Department of Education
Office of Educator Licensure
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205-0771
Incomplete packets will be returned to the applicant with no action taken.