Mississippi Teacher Corps (MTC)

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Program Purpose: 

The Mississippi Teacher Corps is the most competitive teaching program in the country. Program objectives are to: provide dedicated, talented teachers for critical-needs school districts in Mississippi; afford structured entry into the teaching profession for outstanding liberal arts graduates who have never before taught; identify and nurture educational leaders in the 21st century.

Program Description: 

The Mississippi Teacher Corps is a two-year program, similar to the Peace Corps, that recruits college graduates to teach in Mississippi schools, primarily in the Mississippi Delta. The program is designed for non-education majors and offers a host of benefits, including: teacher training and certification; full scholarship for a master's degree in education from the University of Mississippi; job placement that includes full salary and benefits; the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in one of the poorest areas of the country. Coursework for the master's degree is specific to the MTC program and occurs during the summer and selected weekends. MTC teachers are certified for grades 7-12. About 70% of its teachers are placed in high schools and 30% are placed in middle schools.

Program Benefits: 

MTC Fellows receive a full scholarship and funding for degree-related expenses for a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi, and teacher certification with reciprocity in all other states. University of Mississippi is an NCATE accredited program and the MA degree allows its alumni to teach anywhere in the country at a higher salary. Other benefits include a laptop, printer, and scanner. Due to the size of the program, MTC can offer individualized support. All participants move as a cohort through each stage of the training and coursework. For the initial summer training, fellows receive a $1,000 stipend an on-campus housing. Married participants and those choosing to live off campus will be reimbursed for housing costs. Participants are placed by MTC in critical-needs school districts, where they receive full pay (starting salary is $32,000 a year) and benefits. The Mississippi Department of Education will reimburse participants for relocation costs. Before relocation, participants must apply to the school district in which they will be working for moving expense reimbursement.

Application Process: 

Finalists participate in a phone interview.

Applicant Profile: 

No previous education course work is required or expected.

Eligibility: 

Graduating seniors and college graduates, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who are not certified to teach. Education majors are not eligible for this program. Must have an undergraduate degree with significant coursework in at least one of the following areas: math, science, English, or social studies, and at least a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework. See also the requirements for ACT and Praxis Core tests.

Selection Criteria: 

The program looks for a variety of skills and experiences in an applicant, including: community service experience; experience working with children, especially children from "at-risk" backgrounds; mastery of content in the subject-area for which the applicant is applying (demonstrated by significant coursework in this subject-area or passing scores on the Praxis II); experiences overcoming adversity; experience as part of a team. Age is not a criteria.

Program Deadline: 

Early admission deadline usu. Nov. 1 annually; final admission deadline usu. April 1 annually.

How To Apply: 

This program requires institutional nomination. Students may not apply directly to the foundation or program. Instead, applicants must apply through the University by the campus deadline. Please note that University nomination is not guaranteed. Applicants are encouraged to work with the SF State fellowship advisor well in advance of the internal deadline to perfect their application essays and other materials.