American Board › States › Mississippi
Mississippi Teacher Certification
Congratulations! You are on your way to becoming a teacher in Mississippi. No semesters and no campus visits — just a clear path from where you are today to a Mississippi classroom of your own.
Mississippi
$1,900Standard Program Cost
Online
Self-paced
Competency-based
1
Study
Pass the required subject-area and PTK exams provided by American Board.
2
Teach
Obtain a teaching position in a Mississippi school.
3
Apply
Apply to the Mississippi Department of Education for your one-year non-renewable license.
4
Complete
Complete remaining state requirements.
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The chemistry certification program covers atomic structure, periodicity, and matter; reactions and reactivity, and more.
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The English language arts certification program covers comprehension of texts, oral and written language skills, and more.
Math (7-12)
The mathematics certification program covers domains including algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and calculus.
Physics (7-12)
The physics certification program includes classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and more.
“I initially picked American Board because I was becoming a teacher as a second career path. American Board’s program was practical, reasonably priced, and allowed me to work on my own schedule. The information that I learned was valuable at all locations in all different types of schools. I’ve taught at public, charter, and private schools. American Board gave me the confidence that I had the skills needed to become a highly effective teacher.”
Theresa Ramirez, Mississippi Teacher
How to Get Your Mississippi Initial Alternate Teaching License
Step 1
MUST hold 3.0 overall GPA on a baccalaureate transcript or last 60 hours course credit as established by the State Board of Education
- OR An ACT score of 21 or higher (or SAT score of 1060 or higher)
- OR A qualifying passing score on all sections of the Praxis CORE
Step 2
Pass the Praxis Subject Assessment in the area you want to teach.
Step 3
Enroll in American Board’s online teacher certification program.
Step 4
Prepare for and pass American Board’s required Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) and subject area exams.
Step 5
Apply to the Mississippi Department of Education for a state-issued initial alternate teaching license. This is a 1-year, nonrenewable license.
Step 6
Obtain a teaching position and begin teaching.
How to Upgrade to a Mississippi Standard Teaching License
Step 1
During your first year in the classroom:
- Complete a one year mentoring program. Mentoring programs are offered at no cost by most MS school districts.
- Complete one of the following:
- Mississippi e-Learning for Educators 8-week online course
- 9 hours of MAT (Classroom Management, Data Analysis, and Special Education) graduate-level university courses. Hours can be applied towards a master’s degree.
Step 2
Upgrade your initial alternate teaching license into a state-issued standard teaching license. This license will need to be renewed every five years throughout your career.
Does Mississippi have a GPA requirement?
Yes. In order to participate in American Board’s program, you MUST hold 3.0 overall GPA on a baccalaureate transcript or last 60 hours course credit as established by the State Board of Education
- OR An ACT score of 21 or higher (or SAT score of 1060 or higher)
- OR A qualifying passing score on all sections of the Praxis CORE
Where can I find more information about Mississippi teaching requirements?
For more information on state teaching requirements and how to apply for your license, visit the Mississippi Department of Education website.
Ready to get started?
Choose your state and subject, enroll online in minutes, and start studying the same day — or try the free one-week trial first to see how the program works.