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Elementary Education

Cultivate. Enhance. Collaborate.

The W offers a K-6 licensure route. Under the K-6 licensure route, you will choose one concentration area from English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. You also have the option to obtain licensure endorsements to teach your selected concentration areas in grades 7-12.

Alongside top-notch classes, The W's Education programs include Residency courses to give you more classroom experience than any other program in the state.

A male student-teacher stands in front of a class

Licensure Requirement

Elementary Education teacher education candidates are required to complete three licensure exams required by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE): the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching Exam (Praxis PLT), the Praxis Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Exam (Praxis CIA), and the Foundations of Reading exam either just prior to -or- after graduation in order to complete requirements for licensure. Contact Dr. Kelly Ballard(kaballard@muw.edu; (662) 329-7186), Director of Field Experiences, and refer to the EPP Teacher Education Handbook found in the Teacher Education section of the School's website with any questions concerning MDE licensure-related questions.

Teacher Education EPP Handbook Program Progression
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Start Here

All entering freshmen and transfer Education students will begin their major as Early Childhood Development. After completing Block 2 Education courses, students who have a 3.0 GPA on the most recent prior 60 credit hours OR who have earned a 21 or higher composite ACT score OR who have completed and passed the MDE Praxis Core exam may apply to become an Elementary Education major if interested.

Select Your Path

https://www.muw.edu/education/Entering%20Freshman%20Program
Entering Freshman Program
Freshman Guide
https://www.muw.edu/education/Transfer%20Student%20Program
Transfer Student Program
Transfer Guide

Elementary Education Pathway Programs

Co-Lin 2+2 Pathway Transfer from any College

Standards for Teacher Candidates

Teacher Candidates who successfully complete the Elementary Education Degree Program will have achieved the following Student Learning Outcomes found in the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards (.pdf).

I. The Learner and Learning

Standard #1: Learner Development  The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard #2: Learning Differences  The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Standard #3: Learning Environments  The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

II. Content

Standard #4: Content Knowledge  The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Standard #5: Application of Content  The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

III. Instructional Practice

Standard #6: Assessment  The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction  The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies  The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

IV. Professional Responsibility

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice  The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration  The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

*Updated September 2019 - SOE