Master of Arts in Teaching- Elementary Level Alternate Route

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The Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Level Alternate Route (MAT-ELAR) is an innovative program tailored for aspiring elementary teachers (grades K-6). This program offers an alternate path to licensure, combining rigorous graduate-level coursework, intensive residency experiences, and comprehensive teacher training to develop highly competent educators.

Program Highlights

CAEP-Aligned Curriculum: The program aligns with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards, integrating academic and experiential components essential for initial licensure.
36 Credit Hours: Complete the program with 36 credit hours
Fully Online: All courses are 100% online, making it accessible from anywhere in Mississippi and beyond.
In-State Tuition for All: Online students benefit from in-state tuition rates, regardless of location
Career Opportunities: This degree is designed for individuals who seek to teach in grades K-6.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Who Should Pursue This Degree?

If you have a passion for teaching and hold a bachelor's degree in a field other than education, the MAT-ELAR program is ideal for you. This program is designed for individuals eager to develop effective instructional strategies and meet the diverse needs of elementary students.

Licensing and Degree Details

3-Year Class A Non-Renewable License: Obtainable after completing EPY 8473, EDE 8113, and EDX 8173. Note: If you already hold a master’s degree, you cannot upgrade your license to the master’s level with this license.
5-Year Class AA Renewable License: Available after holding a 3-year Class A non-renewable license, completing the full master's degree, and passing the Foundations of Reading Test and Praxis II: 5017 Elementary Education Content Knowledge. Those with an existing master’s degree can upgrade to a master’s level after receiving the 5-year license.
Master of Arts in Teaching Degree: Awarded upon passing the comprehensive examination.

Start your journey to becoming a licensed elementary teacher today with the MAT-ELAR program!

Program Structure

The MAT-ELAR program uses a residency model that is both field-intensive and grounded in clinical practice within an elementary public school setting. As a student in the MAT-ELAR program, you will be referred to as a resident. Your journey begins with an induction camp, followed by a blend of coursework and hands-on residency experiences.

Key Features

Residency Model: Engage in a highly immersive, field-intensive program focused on real-world clinical practice.
Induction Camp: Start your residency with a comprehensive induction camp to prepare you for the program.
Integrated Learning: Combine theoretical coursework with practical classroom experiences using evidence-based teaching methodologies
Learning Cycle Model: Connect your theoretical learning about teaching with practical applications in the classroom, enhancing your skills and knowledge through a proven framework

The MAT-ELAR program prepares you to become an effective elementary educator by integrating placement opportunities and evidence-based teaching methods, ensuring you are well-equipped to meet the demands of today's diverse classroom environments.

Course Number	Title	Credit Hours
EDE 6623	Elementary & Middle-Level STEM Pedagogy	3
EDE 8113	Planning & Managing of Learning for Elementary & Special Education	3
EDE 8133	Elementary & Special Education Residency I	3
EDE 8143	Elementary & Special Education Residency II	3
EDF 8553	Research in the Classroom	3
EDX 8173	Special Education in the Regular Classroom	3
EPY 8473	Elementary Assessment & Evaluation	3
RDG 6123	Elementary Literacy Instruction I	3
RDG 6133	Integrated Reading and Writing in the Curriculum	3
RDG 6143	Elementary Literacy Instruction II	3
RDG 6223	Assessing Reading Difficulties	3
	Select a graduate-level education elective with COE, EDE, EDS, EDX, EPY, RDG, or TECH prefix	3
	Total Hours	36

Eligibility for Initial Licensure

After successful completion of the initial licensure courses—EPY 8473, EDE 8113, and EDX 8173—you are eligible to apply for a Mississippi 3-year Class A non-renewable resident teacher license.

Program Admission: You must be admitted to the MAT-ELAR program to register for Internship I and Internship II.
Full-Time Classroom Position: Secure a full-time teaching position in a public elementary school (grades K-6) as a teacher, teacher assistant, or paraprofessional before registering for these internships.
Residency Component: Internship I and Internship II make up the residency component and can be completed in any K-6 grade level within a public school setting

Transition to Regular Teaching License

Your resident teaching license will be converted to a regular teaching license upon completing all program requirements and passing the necessary licensure exams.

Comprehensive Examination

You will complete a comprehensive examination in your final semester of enrollment.

Admissions Requirements

Residency Restrictions

We are currently unable to admit students living in the state of Georgia.

Application Deadlines

Before starting the application process, please contact Matt Blackwell:

Phone: (601) 484-0133
Email: mblackwell@meridian.msstate.edu

To be considered for admission, complete steps 1-5 by the following dates:

Spring Semester - December 1
Summer Semester - May 1
Fall Semester - August 1

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions
Domestic Unclassified Admissions
International Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Submit online application. You will choose Master of Arts in Teaching- Elementary Level Alternate Route as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
Statement of Purpose
Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Master of Science in Data Science online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

International Unclassified Admissions

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application.
You will choose Master of Applied Data Science as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

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.