Earn An Online Elementary Education Degree Without Leaving Your Classroom!
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Elementary Education BS [for Teacher Assistants]
Undergraduate
Are you currently a teacher’s assistant? If so, you know what it takes to lead a K-6 classroom. In fact, you have probably thought about leading your own classroom one day. The Teacher Assistant Program (TAP) is a fully online Elementary Education degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, and is designed specifically to support your goals as an educator. It offers you a convenient pathway to earning a Bachelor of Science degree and becoming a certified teacher while continuing your job as a teacher assistant. You don’t have to leave your current classroom to earn this degree!
Check out some of the jobs our graduates landed after earning this degree.
- Elementary Teacher K – 5
- Behavior Intervention Specialist
- Upper Elementary
- Curriculum Specialist
- Before and After School Mentor
- Reading Interventionist
- Community Education Coordinator
- Director of Advocacy
Graduates of the Elementary Education program are eligible to become certified teachers for grades K-6 with a reading endorsement and the choice of an endorsement in Math K-8, Math 9-12, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, or English. Our programs are designed to meet licensure requirements in the State of Mississippi. We do not guarantee to meet the licensure requirements of other states. Your future starts at Southern Miss!
The Elementary Education BS (TAP) is only available for teacher assistants in Mississippi.
A number of scholarship opportunities are available to online students. To find our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, click here.
The University of Southern Mississippi is Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The School of Education teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.
General Education Curriculum
Written Communication (6 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Composition One
|
3 hrs. |
|
Composition Two
|
3 hrs. |
Natural Science (8-10 hours minimum)
Select 2 courses with labs:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Biology and Society
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Principles of Biological Science II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Chemistry and Our Environment
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Chemistry II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Weather and Climate
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics I
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Physics II
*
|
3 hrs. |
Humanities (9 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Literature
|
3 hrs. |
Select 2 courses, 1 history required:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilizations: 1500 to present
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Philosophy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Ethics and Good Living
|
3 hrs. |
|
Comparative Religion
|
3 hrs. |
Aesthetic Values (3 hours)
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
Dance Appreciation
|
3 hrs. |
|
The Enjoyment of Music
|
3 hrs. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
Select 2 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective of Human Diversity
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Economics
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
American Government
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
|
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
|
3 hrs. |
Mathematics (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
Higher-level MAT course
|
3 hrs. |
Writing-Intensive Requirement (3 hours)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Lit. III: Research and Pedagogy in Content Area Literacy
|
3 hrs. |
ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites
Capstone Requirement (Major Area)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Student Teaching I: Lower Grades
|
6 hrs. |
|
Student Teaching I: Upper Grades
|
6 hrs. |
Program Curriculum
Teacher Education Requirements
Students must be admitted to Professional Education programs. Specific requirements and processes are found here.
K-6 Highly-qualified Endorsements
English (9 additional hours); Social Studies (9 additional hours)
Foreign Language (21 additional hours);
Mathematics (9 additional hours); Science (10 additional hours)
MDE Supplemental Endorsements
Special Education K-6 or 7-12 (18 additional hours)
Note: The program is designed such that all teacher candidates will have a supplemental Reading Endorsement.
Major Area of Study Requirements (59 hours)
Certain courses are restricted. Gold Card required.
Introductory Block Course
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Elementary Education Practicum
|
3 hrs. |
|
Foundational Studies in Early Childhood Education
|
3 hrs. |
|
Introduction to Literacy: An Integrated Language Arts Approach
|
3 hrs. |
|
Computer Applications in Education
|
3 hrs. |
|
Science for Elementary Teachers
|
3 hrs. |
|
Pyschology & Education of Exceptional Children
|
3 hrs. |
Intermediate Block Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Social Studies: Primary and Middle Grades
|
3 hrs. |
|
Early Literacy Instruction I K-6
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Curriculum: Primary and Middle Grades
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Elementary Education Practicum II
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Early Literacy Instruction II K-6
*
|
3 hrs. |
Senior Block Courses
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Mathematics: Primary and Middle Grades
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Classroom Management
|
3 hrs. |
|
Elementary Education Practicum III
|
3 hrs. |
|
Lit. III: Research and Pedagogy in Content Area Literacy
|
3 hrs. |
|
Literacy IV: Assessment and Instruction
*
|
3 hrs. |
|
Educational Evaluation of Exception Children
|
3 hrs. |
Student Teaching
All courses must be complete before student teaching.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Student Teaching I: Lower Grades
|
3 hrs. |
|
Student Teaching I: Upper Grades
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Requirements
Must earn a minimum grade of “C”
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilization: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
|
3 hrs. |
|
World Civilization: 1500 to the present
|
3 hrs. |
|
College Algebra
|
3 hrs. |
|
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I
|
3 hrs. |
|
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers III
|
3 hrs. |
|
General Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 courses:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Art in the Elementary Schools
|
3 hrs. |
|
Basic Music Skills
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Child Development
|
3 hrs. |
|
Child Psychology
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
(prerequisite to Teacher Education program courses)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Writing and Education
|
3 hrs. |
|
Technical Writing
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teacher education programs (or School Counseling, Social Work, etc.) at The University of Southern Mississippi meet the professional competency standards for licensure in Mississippi. Students who intend to seek licensure in another state should verify that their program of study meets the desired state’s licensure requirements. For more information and guidance on out-of-state licensure, please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosures page.
For additional information and guidance on out-of-state professional licensure, please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosures page.
Additional fees may apply for the online elementary education degree. Fees range between $20 – $60.
The Online Elementary Education Degree courses must be taken in the order of the curriculum design of study. Each course builds on the previous classes. We have designed the online elementary education degree program so teacher assistants can take 12 hours each semester and still finish their degree requirements including student teaching in two years.
Click here for more information: Student Teaching Information (PDF)
To find pricing information for the Online Elementary Education Degree, click here. For financial aid information, click here. For detailed tuition information, click here.
Cohorts will start every fall and every semester that meets enrollment numbers.
No. Student teaching requires your full attention so all coursework for the Online Elementary Education Degree must be completed before you begin your student teaching experience.
The student teaching packet includes forms that you filled out on TK20 showing all your coursework, endorsement areas, and educational philosophy. You must fill this out the semester before you plan to student teach: in the spring for fall student teaching, in the fall for spring student teaching. Your senior block instructors will assist you in this process.
Before student teaching, it is also required that you complete a First Weeks of School (FWOS) assignment that can be found on TK20. Student teachers may be required to attend face to face professional development meetings during the semester of their student teaching.
The graduation application must be filled out on SOAR the semester before you intend to graduate: spring for fall graduation, fall for spring graduation. You cannot register for student teaching until this is completed. Your senior block instructors will help you with this process.
Other classes that aren’t listed may count towards your online elementary education degree once your transcript has been evaluated and posted.
No, online students pay resident tuition.
If yes, visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions and course enrollment.
Yes, the online elementary education degree program is available totally online. Students are not required to visit campus for an in-class chat session; however, an online lecture may be required by your instructor.
Please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/
If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of nationally normed ability/achievement assessment OR teacher education normed entrance test:
- Minimum ACT composite score of 21 or minimum SAT composite score of 1060.
- Acceptable scores on Core Academic Skills for Educators Test (CORE): Reading Test Code 5712 with minimum score of 156; Writing Test Code 5722 with minimum score of 162; and Mathematics Test Code 5733 with minimum score of 130.
- Minimum grade of C in English Composition I and II
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 on 44 semester-hour core curriculum pre-major coursework
- Subscribe to Watermark Assessment System
- Clear background check
Admission Requirements:
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
Licensure: This program is designed to meet the licensure requirements of the State of Mississippi Department of Education. Students who plan to complete this program should consult the Teacher Education Program Requirements for program admission, progression, and teacher candidacy requirements.
