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

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What is the Teach Mississippi Institute?

The Teach Mississippi Institute (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 the Institute results in a standard, five-year renewable Mississippi teacher's license. The University of Mississippi is offering a session of the first component of the program, the online course, beginning April 12, 2008.

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 1 LIVE SEMINAR
An online course is the first component of the Teach Mississippi Institute. The University of Mississippi will offer this course at least two times this year. The spring session will begin April 12, 2008 and run through June 14, 2008.

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, create an electronic portfolio of their coursework and develop a lesson plan. Students should anticipate spending 6 to 8 hours on the course every week.

In addition to classroom instruction, participants must spend 30 hours in a secondary school setting, gaining hands-on supervised experience. In addition to the online course, participants will attend the orientation on Saturday April 12, 2008, and one live seminar (May 17, 2008).

Upon successful completion of the first component of the Institute, participants may apply to the Mississippi Department of Education for a non-renewable "special" License and seek employment in a Mississippi public school district (or MDE-accredited private school). Securing an appropriate teaching position is the responsibility of the participant, but the Institute will assist where possible (Click here to go to an Employment Resources web page). Successful completion of this year of employment and the second component of the Teach Mississippi Institute, the internship, results in a standard, 5-year renewable Mississippi teacher's license.

Second Component

During this first year of employment, * eligible participants will enroll in the second component of the Teach Mississippi Institute, or the internship component.

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. Although a current schedule is not currently available, the seminars will be held on weekends and 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). There will also be a minimum of 2 site visits and formative evaluations by independent evaluators.

Upon successful completion of all aspects of the internship course 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. See the 2007-2008 MS Teach Salary Schedule.

How much does the program cost?

The costs are as follows:

First component (Online Course): The cost for the Fall session will be $795, which includes the cost of the textbook.

Second Component (Internship) $1395, which includes the cost of the textbooks.

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 no money has been received within 90 days of the first invoice being sent, the balance on the account will be subject to a monthly 2% interest charge. Students must have no remaining balance in order to receive the completion certificate.

FAQS about Alternate Route

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