What is TMI | Program of Study | Cost? | Withdrawal Information | FAQs | Application(PDF)

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What is the Teach Mississippi Institute?

The Teach Mississippi Institute Online (TMI) is an alternative to the regular teacher preparation route for a Mississippi teacher's license in secondary (grade 7-12) education. Successful completion of both components of TMI results in a standard, five-year renewable Mississippi teacher's license.

The various Mississippi alternate route programs have been subject to a number of modifications over the past few years and continue to evolve under the regulations and support of the Mississippi Department of Education. Other alternate route programs are described at the Mississippi Department of Education web site, or you may call (601) 359-3483.

What is the Program of Study?

First Component

ONLINE COURSE WITH 2 LIVE SEMINARS

The first component of the Teach Mississippi Institute Online includes the following items

• 10 week online course
• Orientation in either Oxford, MS or Jackson, MS. The spring session will meet in Oxford, MS on February 27, 2010 from 9am to 4pm
• 60 hours* of supervised experience in a secondary school setting
• Seminar in either Oxford, MS or Jackson, MS. The spring session will meet in Jackson, MS on April 17, 2010 from 9am to 4pm
• The first component costs $795 and payment is due on or before Orientation

No sessions are offered during the summer.

The online course covers classroom instruction and application in the fields of effective teaching strategies, classroom management, state curriculum frameworks, planning and instructional methodologies, and use of testing as formative and summative evaluation tools. During the course students will be required to participate in online discussions and submit quizzes. Students should anticipate spending 6 to 8 hours on the course every week.

In addition to classroom instruction, participants must spend 60 hours* in a secondary school setting, gaining hands-on supervised experience.

Upon successful completion of the first component of the Institute, participants may apply to the Mississippi Department of Education for a non-renewable, temporary license and seek employment in a Mississippi public school district (or MDE-accredited private school). To enter the next component of the Institute the participant must secure an appropriate teaching position. TMI will assist where possible (We recommend talking to principals in the areas(s) where you would like to teach and to check our Employment Resources web page).

* This requirement is reduced to 30 hours for program participants who are concurrently teaching in a Mississippi Public School District or a MDE-accredited private school

Second Component

AFTER SECURING A TEACHING POSITION THE PARTICIPANT WILL SIGN UP FOR THE SECOND COMPONENT.

The second component of the Teach Mississippi Institute Online includes the following items

• 18 week online course
• 2 Seminars in either Oxford, MS or Jackson, MS.
  • The spring session will meet in Oxford, MS on February 27, 2010 from 9am to 4pm
  • and will meet again in Jackson, MS on March 27, 2010 from 9am to 4pm
• Will work with a Mentor that is assigned by their principal
• Must be employed as a secondary school teacher in a Mississippi public school district (or MDE-accredited private school)*
• The second component costs $1395 and payment is broken into 5 payments. The first payment of $395 is due two weeks before the course begins.

The spring session of TMI 2 will begin February 6, 2010 and end on June 5, 2010. No sessions are offered during the summer.

The course will continue throughout the teacher's first year in the classroom and include completing an online course and attending live seminars delivered through workshops. The seminars should last no more than 8 hours each. Students will also participate in mentoring programs at their schools and must successfully complete local school district evaluation(s).

Upon successful completion of all aspects of the second component and the first year of employment, participants may apply to the Mississippi Department of Education for a standard, 5-year renewable Mississippi teacher's license.

* You will receive pay as a first year teacher (0). See the 2009-2010 MS Teach Salary Schedule.

How much does the program cost?

The costs are as follows:

Application Fee: $25

First component (10 week online course): $795, which includes the cost of the textbook and lunch at the Orientation and live seminar.

Second Component (18 week online course): $1395, which includes the cost of the textbook and lunch at the 2 seminars.

Bounced Check Fee: $35

Late Fee for TMI 2 payments: $20

Replacement Certificate Fee: $25

For Scholarship information and other Incentives, go here.

Withdrawal Information

•  A student may withdraw from the TMI program (component I or II) up to two weeks from the starting date of the program. The tuition costs will be 100% refunded minus a $100 withdrawal fee and the costs of the textbooks.

•  Any student who leaves the program following the 2nd week of either component will receive a 0% refund of their tuition.

•  It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw from the program. Failure to notify our office in writing before the end of the 100% refund period will result in charges for full tuition and fees being posted to the student's account.

•  The text book(s) must be returned to TMI in order to fulfill the withdrawal. If the text book is returned in the same condition it was sent within the first two weeks, the student will owe nothing. If after the second week, the student will owe 20% of the cost of the text. Thus, if they have paid the tuition already, they will receive an 80% refund on the text book provided it is returned.

Information about Outstanding Balances

If payment has not been recieved by 5 PM on the due date, a $20 late fee will be assessed. For each additional payment date that passes without payment, an additional $20 fee will be assessed. Students must have no remaining balance in order to receive the completion certificate.

FAQS about State of Mississippi Alternate Route's

www.mde.k12.ms.us/ed_licensure/doc/faq_1.doc