MTC Program FAQs

Potential Applicants

What is the Mississippi Teacher Corps?

The Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC) is an alternate-route graduate program at the University of Mississippi that prepares participants to be classroom teachers (grades 7-12). Participants are placed in Mississippi public schools that are experiencing a teacher shortage.

MTC provides training, support, Mississippi teacher certification, and a full scholarship for a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from the University of Mississippi. During the school year, participants receive full pay and benefits from their school district and attend graduate classes at the University of Mississippi. Each year, MTC accepts between 25-35 candidates. All participants move as a cohort through each stage of the training and coursework (more about our mission, vision, and program goals).

What is the application process?

Stage 1: Initial pre-application: Begin your application to the program using this link.

Stage 2: Interview: If you meet the program requirements and appear to be a promising applicant, we will request an interview (within 2-3 weeks of submitting your application).

Stage 3: Conditional Acceptance: Those passing the interview stage will be accepted with the following conditions:

1. Passing Praxis Core Requirement

2. Passing Praxis II requirement

3. Completion of undergraduate degree

4. Successfully admitted to the UM graduate school

5. Passing background check

Do I need to pass the Praxis II before applying?

No, you do not need to pass the Praxis II before applying. It is recommended that you fill out the pre-application first. If accepted to MTC, it will be on the condition that you meet the testing requirements before beginning the program.

Who is eligible to apply?

College graduates are eligible to apply to the Mississippi Teacher Corps. Please keep in mind that applicants with strong backgrounds in the core subjects – English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language– are more favorable. Applicants must meet the program requirements.

What do you look for in an applicant?

The Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC) looks for community service experience, experience working with children, knowledge of the subject-area in which you apply (this can be demonstrated by significant coursework in this subject-area), experience overcoming adversity, and a commitment to social justice and educational equity. We look for people who have experiences that will help promote our mission, vision, and program goals.

When will I be notified of an admissions decision?

MTC has a rolling admissions process in which applications are accepted until the incoming class has been filled. Administrators within the program analyze applications and conduct interviews until mid-April. A candidate will typically hear from the program within two weeks of applying.

Where does the Mississippi Teacher Corps place teachers and what grade levels can I teach?

MTC teachers are certified to teach grades 7-12. Teachers are typically placed in critical-needs schools in the areas found here. Teachers can be placed in 5th and 6th grade classrooms if a school has dedicated subject teachers for those grades.

What subjects can I teach?

The MTC currently places teachers in English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, social studies, and foreign languages.

Do I have to be a citizen of the U.S?

No. The program is open to non-U.S. citizens. However, all participants must have a social security number and provide the Mississippi Department of Education with proof of lawful residency.

What is challenging about this program?

Teaching is a challenging profession. To do it well requires a significant effort and commitment. In addition to teaching, participants take graduate courses. Good time-management, organization, and perseverance are a necessity. The rewards that come with teaching students are what make the effort worthwhile.

Are there exceptions to the cumulative 3.0 grade-point average requirement?

You are still eligible to apply. GPA is one factor we consider. Other factors, like experience working with children and a commitment to service can help an applicant overcome a lower GPA. However, applicant GPAs of 2.75 or lower will not be considered.

What can I do to learn more about MTC or if I have a question?

There is a wealth of information on this website. If you have any questions, you can call 662-915-2616 or fill out our online contact form. If you are in the Oxford, MS area, we would be glad to arrange a meeting to talk about the program.

During the Program

Does the Mississippi Teacher Corps provide housing?

The MTC provides on-campus housing during the initial 7-week summer training program. We do not provide housing during the school year; however, we can help you find housing accommodations near your placement.

Can I chose my placement and the grade level I want to teach?

Since placements are primarily based on the needs of the school districts, MTC participants have no influence over what grade they teach or where they are placed. We do take personal factors into consideration when placing teachers (e.g. if you are from Meridian, MS, we are likely to make an effort to place you in Meridian), but again, the needs of the schools come first.

How do I complete my master’s degree while teaching?

During the fall and spring semesters, participants attend classes in Oxford seven times a semester. Classes are held on Saturday from 8:30am-4:30pm, and all courses are taught by University of Mississippi faculty. Two courses are taken during the first summer and are part of the training necessary to become a licensed teacher. Significant effort is made to make sure that graduate coursework relates directly to what you are doing in your own classroom. Being successful as a teacher and a graduate student requires a lot of self-discipline and time management.

How does licensure work?

Once the initial two courses are completed and you have fulfilled the requirements of licensure, we recommend you for a 3-year provisional Mississippi teaching license. This license allows you to be the teacher of record at your Mississippi public school placement, which makes you eligible for full teacher salary and benefits from the school district. Once you graduate from the program, you are eligible for a 5-year regular Mississippi teaching license.

After the Program

What happens after I complete the program?

After completing the program, you will receive a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, and an upgraded 5-year Class AA Mississippi teaching license. If you continue to teach in Mississippi after graduation, you will receive a pay increase from your school district, and a bonus from MTC.

Can I pursue a career in administration after graduation?

Principal Corps is a comprehensive training program designed to transform classroom teachers into K-12 leaders who are equipped to guide children, teachers, and schools to success. Applicants to the Principal Corps are required to have at least three years of teaching experience (this is a requirement of most programs that lead to a school administrator license). There are also several other ways to pursue an administrative position.

What other opportunities exist for graduates of the program?

Many of our graduates stay in education in some capacity. Some continue teaching in Mississippi while some choose to teach in other states. Others have enrolled in further graduate work, medical school, or law school. In the 3+ decades of the program’s existence, many alumni have gone on to do many things.

Alternate-route FAQs

What does “alternate-route” mean?

Alternate-route is defined as a teacher preparation program that helps license and train people who already have an undergraduate degree in something other than education. Often, people decide to become teachers after a point at which it would be practical to complete a traditional teacher training program. 

Who should consider an alternate-route program?

Alternate-route programs are perfect for current undergraduate students who are in their junior/senior year of college (and are close to earning a non-education degree), or people who have completed an undergraduate degree and have decided to change careers. Often, people have done programs like the Peace Corps, worked as tutors, and/or worked with children at after-school programs, etc., and have found that becoming a teacher is what they were called to do.

What is the format of an alternate-route program?

Alternate-route programs typically exist in two formats:

1. Through a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program (examples: The Mississippi Teacher Corps and the Online MAT program)

2. Through a non-masters program that focuses only on training and licensure (example: Teach Mississippi Institute)

How do alternate-route programs work?

Regardless of the alternate-route program format, people in alternate-route programs in Mississippi receive a three-year non-renewable Mississippi teaching license after the initial training/coursework. Program participants then teach and complete the rest of the program training/coursework in order to receive their 5-year regular, renewable Mississippi teaching license.

What is a critical-needs school? 

Critical-needs schools are schools that have a high percentage of students who receive free or reduced lunch. This statistic correlates with a community that is suffering from the effects of poverty. For a number of reasons, schools like this have a difficult time finding people to fill teaching positions. For an in-depth look at critical-needs schools, see “Chapter 2: What are critical needs schools?” from the online book Into the Unknown: Navigating your MTC Experience.

Below are excerpts from “Chapter 2: What are critical needs schools?” written by MTC Alumni Bobby Latona:

A school is considered critical or high needs when it possesses some or all of the following criteria: 

• High-needs schools are located in high poverty areas.

• High percentage of students are eligible for a free or reduced-price school lunch. 

• High percentage of student’s families receive state or federal assistance.

• High percentage of students and families are eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program.

• The school has a high percentage of out-of-field-teachers and teachers who are not certified or licensed to teach, which creates unqualified teachers. 

• The turnover rate for teachers is high. 

• The retention rate for teachers is low. 

• Administrators have difficulties filling job vacancies with competent staff. 

• Classrooms are often influenced by the struggles and chronic stress of the students’ lives.

Where does MTC Place Teachers?

For information about where we place our teachers, see this page.

MAT FAQs

What is an MAT Program?

MAT stands for Master of Arts in Teaching. Participants in the Mississippi Teacher Corps earn an MAT degree during their two-year commitment to the program. At most universities, an MAT program is an alternate-route to teacher licensure. People in an MAT program take graduate coursework to gain a teaching license and to learn how to be an effective classroom teacher.

WHat Does it take to get an initial MS teaching license through an MAT program?

Initial coursework in the Mississippi Teacher Corps happens during the first summer. Students take three graduate MAT courses (EDCI 613, EDCI 615, and EDSP 601). Coursework focuses on lesson planning, assessment, and classroom culture/management. Once participants complete the coursework, they are eligible to receive a 3-year non-renewable Mississippi teaching license. This allows them to sign a contract with their placement school and thus receive full teacher pay and benefits from the school district.

What does it take to get a 5-year regular MS teaching license?

Once program participants complete the initial coursework and receive their 3-year license, they continue to take courses for the rest of the two year commitment. Program graduates receive their Master of Arts in Teaching degree at the end of their two year experience, which entitles them to a five-year regular Mississippi teaching license. Because graduates now have a master’s degree, their 5-year license can be upgraded to a AA level license, which allows them to receive a pay increase.

What can someone do with an MAT degree?

If a person earns an MAT degree and continues teaching, they receive a pay increase because their Mississippi teaching license goes from an “A” to a “AA.” If someone is looking to continue their graduate studies and work on a specialist or a doctorate degree, this degree is helpful in showing their capacity for graduate-level work. People with master’s degrees are eligible to teach undergraduate courses, but they must have 18 graduate-level hours in the subject they wish to teach. An MAT focuses on preparing teachers, and the coursework relates specifically to that.

What is MAT Coursework like?

Here at the University of Mississippi, initial courses focus on the basics of teaching: lesson planning, assessment, and classroom climate/management. As students move through the program, they take coursework that expands on these concepts while also looking at technology integration, exceptional students, diversity in the classroom, educational research, and teacher leadership. A complete list of the required coursework can be found here.

Praxis Information

Praxis Overview

The Praxis is a set of standardized tests required by most U.S. states, including Mississippi, for teacher certification. Passing the Praxis Core test is necessary for participants who do not have an ACT composite score of 21 or higher, or an SAT composite score of 990. MTC participants must take Praxis II tests before the start of summer training. Although the initial MTC application does not require Praxis test scores, completing and passing the test before submitting your application will increase your chances of acceptance into MTC.

The institutional code for the University of Mississippi 1840. Use this code to send your Praxis Core and Praxis II test scores to the Mississippi Teacher Corps. In addition, you will want to select the Mississippi Department of Education (state code 7599) as a score recipient when you register for the Praxis.

Visit the ETS website to register for the exam and to find information on testing dates and locations.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) Test

Participants who have an ACT composite score of 21 or higher, or an SAT composite score of 990 or higher do not need to take the Praxis Core. The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) Test is a set of three general knowledge exams administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS). The test is comprised of three sections: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. The three areas of the Praxis core are listed below:

Section / CDT Code / Qualifying Score

Core Academic Skills for Combined Test: Reading / 5713 / 156

Core Academic Skills for Combined Test: Writing / 5723 / 162

Core Academic Skills for Combined Test: Mathematics / 5733 / 130

Praxis II Test

The Praxis II is a content-area exam and you should sign-up for the content-area you are most interested in teaching. MTC typically accepts Praxis II exams for the following specialty areas: Biology, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies. For the correct test to take, please see the following subject test codes:

Section / CDT Code / Qualifying Score

Biology: Content Knowledge / 5236 / 148

Chemistry: Content Knowledge / 5246 / 140

English Language Arts: Content Knowledge / 5038 / 167

Mathematics: Content Knowledge / 5165 / 152

Social Studies: Content Knowledge / 5081 / 150

Spanish: World Language / 5195 / 160

French: World Language / 5174 / 153

Click here to see other subject area possibilities and the associated test scores.

How can I obtain a Mississippi Teaching License?

For the state of Mississippi, there are several paths to teacher licensure. The following options are available for those looking for licensure:

Education Major Undergraduate Programs

Universities in Mississippi typically offer some kind of traditional teacher preparation program that leads to a Mississippi teacher license. Click here for a list of Mississippi Education Preparation Programs (EPPs).

Typically best for:

• For those entering college for the first time

• Those who know they want to teach before entering college

Master of Arts in Teaching Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching programs (like the Mississippi Teacher Corps) provide coursework that leads to teacher licensure in the state of Mississippi. Students take three initial courses and then receive a 3-year provisional teaching license. More detailed information can be found here.

Typically best for:

• Someone who has a non-education undergraduate degree (and doesn’t have a teaching license)

• Someone who decided in their junior or senior year of college to become a teacher

• Someone looking for a 2nd career in teaching

Teach Mississippi Institute

Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) is an alternate-route program that provides Mississippi teaching licenses to people who already have an undergraduate degree. More information can be found on the TMI website.

Typically best for:

• Someone who already has an undergraduate degree

• Someone looking to get a Mississippi teaching license without getting a master’s degree

• Someone looking for the most economical, non-scholarship route to a teaching license

Currently Licensed from Another U.S. State

Those who currently hold a teaching license from another state can apply to get reciprocity through the Mississippi Department of Education. Details on the process can be found here.