{"id":7029,"date":"2026-06-06T08:16:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T08:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/?p=7029"},"modified":"2026-06-17T21:36:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T21:36:54","slug":"how-to-become-a-teacher-in-mississippi-without-a-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prepsaret.com\/praxis\/how-to-become-a-teacher-in-mississippi-without-a-degree","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Teacher in Mississippi Without a Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can You Teach in Mississippi Without a Teaching Degree? <\/b>Yes \u2014 if you hold a bachelor’s degree in any field other than education. Mississippi has developed one of the most accessible and diverse alternative route certification systems in the South, specifically designed to bring qualified career changers and non-education degree holders into the state’s chronically understaffed classrooms. The state offers multiple approved alternate route pathways \u2014 the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI), the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), iteach Mississippi, and Teach for America \u2014 each leading to a full, standard Mississippi teaching license.<\/span><\/p>\n

The urgency behind this framework is real. Only 11 percent of Mississippi students graduate college-ready (TFA). Mississippi consistently ranks last or near-last nationally in educational outcomes, creating an acute need for qualified teachers in every subject and at every grade level. The state’s alternative certification framework is not a second-tier option \u2014 it is a core component of Mississippi’s teacher pipeline, and teachers who enter through alternate routes receive the same five-year renewable standard license as those who completed traditional university-based education programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

One important baseline: Mississippi’s alternate route programs require at minimum a bachelor’s degree. If you do not yet hold a bachelor’s degree, none of these pathways are available. The exception is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) alternate route, which accepts an associate degree or higher combined with occupational experience for secondary CTE teaching. For all other alternate route programs, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is non-negotiable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick Guide: Becoming a Mississippi Teacher Without a Teaching Degree<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ALL ALTERNATE ROUTE PATHWAYS REQUIRE: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (non-education field). CTE pathway accepts associate degree + experience.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 1: Decide what subject and grade level you want to teach. This determines which alternate route program is right for you and which Praxis tests are required.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 2: Pass required Praxis assessments \u2014 Praxis Core (basic skills) AND the Praxis II Subject Area test for your chosen endorsement. Elementary candidates also need the Foundations of Reading assessment.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 3: Enroll in an MDE-approved alternate route program (TMI, MAT, ABCTE, iteach, or TFA).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 4: Complete the program’s training\/coursework and 60 hours of field experience (TMI) or equivalent.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 5: Receive your provisional (non-renewable) alternate route license.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 6: Complete the one-year teaching internship at an MDE-accredited school. You will be paid at the third-year teacher rate.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
STEP 7: Upon successful completion, apply for your Five-Year Standard Teaching License \u2014 the fully portable, renewable professional credential.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sources: MDE (mdek12.org\/licensure\/alternate\/); TMI (tmi.olemiss.edu); Jackson PS Alternate Route; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS Alt.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Mississippi Teaching Without a Traditional Education Degree: Key Numbers\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BA Req.<\/b><\/p>\n

Min. Degree (All AR Pathways)<\/b><\/p>\n

Non-education BA from accredited institution<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

3<\/b><\/p>\n

MDE Alternate Route Methods<\/b><\/p>\n

TMI, MAT, ABCTE \u2014 mdek12.org\/licensure\/alternate<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

1 yr<\/b><\/p>\n

Teaching Internship Required<\/b><\/p>\n

All alternate route programs; paid at 3rd-yr rate<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

Assoc.<\/b><\/p>\n

CTE Min. Degree<\/b><\/p>\n

Associate degree + occupational experience<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
5 yr<\/b><\/p>\n

Standard License After AR<\/b><\/p>\n

Five-year renewable after internship + program<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

$53,704<\/b><\/p>\n

Avg. Teacher Salary (MS)<\/b><\/p>\n

NEA 2023-24; lowest nationally<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

13%<\/b><\/p>\n

MS Students College-Ready<\/b><\/p>\n

TFA; driver of alternative cert demand<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n

11<\/b><\/p>\n

TMI Subject Areas (7-12)<\/b><\/p>\n

tmi.olemiss.edu \u2014 all 7-12 Praxis subjects<\/span><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Sources: MDE Alternate Route Programs page (mdek12.org\/licensure\/alternate\/) \u2014 3 methods; teachercertificationdegrees.com MS Alt (April 2025) \u2014 BA required; 1-yr internship; MAT\/TMI\/ABCTE\/CTE; TMI program types (tmi.olemiss.edu\/programs.html) \u2014 paid at 3rd-yr teacher rate; Jackson PS Alternate Route (jackson.k12.ms.us) \u2014 5-yr standard license; NEA 2023-24 \u2014 $53,704 avg salary; alleducationschools.com MS (Feb 2026) \u2014 TFA 11% college-ready; TMI (tmi.olemiss.edu\/about.html) \u2014 11 subject areas.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Governs Teacher Certification in Mississippi: MDE Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n

All teacher certification in Mississippi is administered by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Division of Educator Licensure. The MDE approves all alternate route programs, establishes eligibility requirements, processes license applications, and maintains the Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure K-12 \u2014 the definitive regulatory document for all certification matters.<\/span><\/p>\n