Community College Education

For information, please contact Dr. Mark Fincher at mef348@msstate.edu

The Community College Education Program (CED) offers an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Teaching degree that equips students to work at colleges and universities in both faculty and staff roles. This is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to prepare professionals for working in higher education with a particular focus on the faculty or academic support roles at community colleges or other access-oriented institutions. The required degree plan includes a minimum of 18 hours in the student’s academic field (e.g., History, English, Decision Sciences, Biology, Communication, Psychology, etc.). This prepares graduates to meet the minimum requirements for credentialing to teach at the college and university levels according to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Some academic fields have prerequisite course requirements, while others do not. This will be explored by the student with the assistance of an advisor. 

The education core of the degree consists of 12 hours specifically chosen to prepare the graduate to work at a college or university. These core courses introduce students to the philosophy and culture of the community college and prepare them to instruct and support both traditional and non-traditional. Sensitivity to the backgrounds and needs of ethnically and economically diverse students, as well as adult learning theory are strongly featured in the curriculum. The core of the program is available through both synchronous and asynchronous online classes, and these classes can be taken anywhere they are offered within the Mississippi State University. The academic field courses are offered in multiple ways and locations that vary by specific program. Students and their advisors will develop a sequence of these course that fits the needs of the individual student.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the program, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of community colleges, and demonstrate academic proficiency based on the following indicators:

1. Grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale on the last half of the bachelor’s degree;
2. Three letters of reference;
3. Indication of teaching specialty (e.g., history) in the purpose statement; and
4. Resume.

All documentation must be submitted to the graduate school by the designated deadline (https://www.grad.msstate.edu/admissions/deadlines/)

Please note the GRE is not required for this degree program.

Program of Study

Advisor

Mark Fincher, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor of Community College Education
• Program Coordinator

mfincher@meridian.msstate.edu 601-484-0188