State board approves The W’s new program aimed at filling Mississippi classrooms

Designed to address Mississippi’s teacher vacancies, Mississippi University for Women will offer a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education in fall 2025.

“We’re proud to offer a program that not only strengthens our state’s teacher workforce but also empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to Mississippi classrooms,” said Nora Miller, University President.

The School of Education at The W was notified Thursday, July 17 that the State Board of Education voted to approve the degree program.

Offered through The W’s School of Education, the MAT in Elementary Education is a 33-credit hour, alternate-route initial licensure program that emphasizes early literacy and meets the state’s teacher education preparation requirements. It is designed as a pathway to the classroom for individuals who have completed a non-education bachelor’s degree and want to enter the teaching profession.

“This program is both rigorous and essential. It fulfills state licensure requirements and opens doors for Mississippians to join the teaching workforce,” said Dr. Martin Hatton, dean of the School of Education at The W. “The teacher shortage is not only a national issue but also a pressing concern in Mississippi.”

The program includes 12 credit hours of literacy instruction; three hours in STEM methods; three hours in classroom management; three hours in special education instruction; three hours in data analysis and evaluation; three hours of reading-related research; and two three-credit supervised teaching internships.

Hatton said, “During their internship phase, MAT students must be employed under a temporary license and are often hired by schools experiencing teacher shortages. Principals appreciate the dual supervision and mentorship that a strong alternate route program offers, allowing them to evaluate prospective long-term teachers without a major commitment and customize training to fit their school’s specific needs.”

To apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education or other graduate programs at The W, please visit muw.edu/graduate/apply.

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) voted to approve the program April 25.

The W’s School of Education is dedicated to education from early childhood through post-graduation, and it fosters excellence through teacher preparation, professional development and community engagement. Its programs empower educators and learners to grow, lead and make a lasting impact across the region.