Master of Science Educational Specialist

Master of Science in Secondary

Strengthen and enhance your teaching in the classroom by pursuing advanced coursework in pedagogical design and add on endorsements*, such as remedial reading, gifted education, mild/moderate disability 7-12),  cyber foundations, elementary K-6 add-on, or dual-credit add-on. The program can be completed in as few as 4 semesters, including summer – that’s only just over one year!

Graduates of the program may leverage electives in the program to add endorsement areas* in the following areas:

• remedial reading
• gifted education
• mild/moderate disability K-8
• cyber foundations
• elementary K-6 add-on
• dual credit credentialing

The Master of Science in Secondary Education is designed to provide new and veteran classroom teachers the opportunity to expand their knowledge and vision of education in terms of theory, research, and practice. The coursework focuses on tools that teachers can use to further enhance their learning environment for secondary students and allows students to add one of six endorsements/credentials to the secondary teaching license. Graduates of the Master of Science program are eligible to be recommended for the Class AA Mississippi Educator License, which will lead to a pay raise in the state of Mississippi.

Program Format

• 30 credit hours minimum, 4 semesters (18 months)
• Hybrid synchronous online course delivery
• A small cohort with individualized attention
• Full-time schedule during summer and part-time during fall and spring terms
• Real world experiences
• Customized degree with six add-on endorsement/credential options

Remedial Reading – This endorsement focuses on practical classroom application of concepts, methods/materials, and teaching strategies across subject areas in early and upper elementary as well as middle and secondary school. This endorsement contributes to general reading knowledge utilized in positions such as a Reading Interventionist K-12, an Academic Coach, or a Teacher Leader.

Gifted Education - Obtaining the Gifted Education endorsement includes thorough preparation in identification of giftedness, curriculum development, and research-based effective instruction. You will be able to apply the knowledge and skills that you will acquire if you choose to be a Teacher of the Gifted and Talented or even without switching to a new position. Your expertise in addressing the needs of the gifted will be valuable in any classroom. 

Mild/Moderate Disability 7-12 – With growing numbers of academically diverse students in our classrooms, consider an endorsement in Mild/Moderate Special Education. Not only will you be certified to teach students with active Individualized Education Programs (IEP), but you will gain knowledge of how to accommodate students with 504 plans and students who need the multi-tiered system of supports.  This endorsement will give you the tools to work with your students on an individualized level.

Cyber Foundations – The Cyber Foundations endorsement includes preparation to teach foundational concepts including computational thinking, effective and appropriate uses of technology, digital forensics, and digital ethics across the curriculum. You will be part of a movement to ensure that all students have access to quality cyber education instruction including such topics as programming, cybersecurity, robotics, data science, and artificial intelligence.

Elementary K-6 Add-On- Experienced licensed teachers (minimum 3 years)can add the K-6 endorsement by successfully completing five courses in literacy and STEM methods and passing the Foundations of Reading exam. 

Dual-Credit Credentialing - leverage electives to complete 12-hours of the 18 hours of graduate coursework needed in a subject-area to be able to teach at the college level. (Requires completion of additional coursework at the EdS level.)

*The dual-credit add on credentials for teaching at the undergraduate level, but is not an endorsement on the teaching license.

Some endorsements may require additional coursework beyond the nine hours of electives in the elementary program and/or additional licensure testing. To be eligible for institutional recommendation from Mississippi State University for a supplemental endorsement, a valid 3- or 5-year Mississippi Secondary Educator ‘s license is required.  Please visit the Office of Clinical/Field-Based Instruction, Licensure, and Outreach website for a listing of specific requirements for approved program supplemental endorsements at ocfbi.msstate.edu.

Admission Requirements

• A 2.75 GPA for admission to the M.S. program and a minimum 3.20 on prior graduate study for the Ed.S. program
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from educators, professors, and/or former employers or supervisors
• A copy of a teaching license or proof of eligibility for licensure
• A statement of purpose, including description of teaching experiences
• Official transcripts from each college/university attended

A prospective graduate student is evaluated in terms of academic accomplishments, verbal and written communication skills, professional experiences, and general goodness-of-fit to the program as well as deemed by the faculty to have the potential to complete the program.

Contact Advisor

Educational Specialist in Secondary

The Educational Specialist degree in Education with a concentration in Secondary Education is designed for those who already have a master’s degree in education from an accredited program. The coursework focuses on tools that teachers can use to further enhance their learning environment for secondary students and allows students to add one of six endorsements* to the secondary teaching license including remedial reading, gifted education, mild/moderate disability 7-12, cyber foundations, elementary K-6 add-on, or dual-credit add-on. Graduates of the educational specialist program are eligible to be recommended for the Class AAA Mississippi Educator License, which will lead to a pay raise in the state of Mississippi.

Program Format

• 30 credit hours minimum**, 4 semesters (18 months)
• Hybrid synchronous online course delivery
• A small cohort with individualized attention
• Full-time schedule during summer and part-time during fall and spring terms
• Real world experiences
• Customized degree with six add-on endorsement/credential options

• Remedial Reading – This endorsement focuses on practical classroom application of concepts, methods/materials, and teaching strategies across subject areas in early and upper elementary as well as middle and secondary school. Coursework highlights high-quality literacy instruction in oral language development and early systematic reading and writing instruction. Master’s Candidates explore effective literacy methods, materials, and strategy instruction for upper elementary, middle, and secondary school students and leverage the three electives in the program towards completion of the reading endorsement
• Gifted Education - Obtaining the Gifted Education endorsement includes thorough preparation in identification of giftedness, curriculum development, and research-based effective instruction. You will be able to apply the knowledge and skills that you will acquire if you choose to be a Teacher of the Gifted and Talented or even without switching to a new position. Your expertise in addressing the needs of the gifted will be valuable in any classroom. 
• Mild/Moderate Disability 7-12 – With growing numbers of academically diverse students in our classrooms, consider an endorsement in Mild/Moderate Special Education. Not only will you be certified to teach students with active Individualized Education Programs (IEP), but you will gain knowledge of how to accommodate students with 504 plans and students who need the multi-tiered system of supports.  This endorsement will give you the tools to work with your students on an individualized level.
• Cyber Foundations – The Cyber Foundations endorsement includes preparation to teach foundational concepts including computational thinking, effective and appropriate uses of technology, digital forensics, and digital ethics across the curriculum. You will be part of a movement to ensure that all students have access to quality cyber education instruction including such topics as programming, cybersecurity, robotics, data science, and artificial intelligence.
• Elementary K-6 Add-On- Experienced licensed teachers (minimum 3 years)can add the K-6 endorsement by successfully completing five courses in literacy and STEM methods and passing the Foundations of Reading exam.
• Dual-Credit Credentialing - Leverage electives to complete 18 hours of graduate coursework in a subject area necessary to teach that subject at the college level. 

*The dual-credit add-on allows for teaching at the undergraduate level but is not an endorsement added to the license.

*Some endorsements may require additional coursework beyond the nine hours of electives in the secondary program and/or additional licensure testing. To be eligible for institutional recommendation from Mississippi State University for a supplemental endorsement, a valid 3- or 5-year Mississippi Educator ‘s license is required.  Please visit the Office of Clinical/Field-Based Instruction, Licensure, and Outreach website for a listing of specific requirements for approved program supplemental endorsements at ocfbi.msstate.edu.

**Students with an M.S. degree may apply up to 12 hours from that degree towards the minimum 30 hours required for the Ed.S. degree program. Please speak with an advisor for specific details.

Admission Requirements

• A 2.75 GPA for admission to the M.S. program and a minimum 3.20 on prior graduate study for the Ed.S. program
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from educators, professors, and/or former employers or supervisors
• A copy of a teaching license or proof of eligibility for licensure
• A statement of purpose, including description of teaching experiences
• Official transcripts from each college/university attended

A prospective graduate student is evaluated in terms of academic accomplishments, verbal and written communication skills, professional experiences, and general goodness-of-fit to the program as well as deemed by the faculty to have the potential to complete the program.